To help front-line staff better support kids, a $370,000 partnership with Hull Services and Neurosequential Network will certify provincial staff on the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). An improved approach to trauma care will help kids become emotionally healthy, learn long-term coping strategies and grow into healthy adults. 

“Our top priority is making sure vulnerable children and youth in care have the services and supports they need to be safe and supported. This partnership represents an important investment in the mental health needs of children who have experienced trauma. It will give front-line staff a clear and consistent approach to understand children’s needs and help identify best supports.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Children’s Services

Developed by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, NMT is a therapeutic framework that uses practical neuroscience as a guide and helps front-line staff identify developmentally effective treatment for children. NMT’s focus is on understanding how both trauma and relationships affect a child’s developing body and brain.

“Our entire Neurosequential Network community is excited by the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Children’s Services to implement the Neurosequential Model to support children, youth, families and staff impacted by trauma and adversity.” 

Dr. Bruce Perry, Neurosequential Network

“The goal of our new centre, Pathways to Prevention: A Centre for Childhood Trauma, is to have a future free from developmental trauma. There is no better way to begin this journey than in partnership with the Ministry of Children’s Services.”

Emily Wang, senior director, Pathways to Prevention, Hull Services

“It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to take what we have learned at Hull Services through our implementation of the Neurosequential Model and partner with Children’s Services. This will benefit Alberta’s children and families more broadly and will influence practice and improve outcomes.”

Jon Reeves, executive director, Hull Services

Quick facts

  • Hull Services is the only certified Phase II NMT site in Canada. Only a few sites in the world have this highest NMT certification level.

  • NMT has three key components:

    • Training/Capacity Building

    • Assessment

    • Recommending the right mix of activities and interventions that match the needs and strengths of children/youth

  • NMT coaching will roll out in four phases over the next three years:

    • September 2022 – Start training the core trainers and therapeutic leads within government, which will continue until late 2024.

    • November 2023 to December 2024 – Core trainers will support the training of 15 more provincial staff, who will act as NMT champions.

    • November 2023 – Core trainers, therapeutic leads, NMT model champions and Hull Services will work together to roll out training to front-line ‘adopters,’ including front-line staff at treatment facilities.

  • The provincial campus-based treatment centres implementing NMT are:

    • Yellowhead Youth Campus-Based Treatment Centre

    • Sifton Campus-Based Treatment Centre

    • Lac La Biche Campus-Based Treatment Centre

    • High Prairie Campus-Based Treatment Centre