REST – Resilient Response to the Effects of Stress & Trauma in Schools

Orion Family Services partners with Journey Mental Health to provide REST groups throughout Dane County. REST is a school-based group and individual intervention for middle and high school students. It is designed for youth who have experienced and been impacted by trauma. Services target symptom reduction and improved coping skills in order to strengthen individual health and well-being and support improved functioning and performance in the school setting. The REST Program offers two group interventions.

The first intervention is for students affected by traumatic stress are invited to participate in a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) group. This evidence-based curriculum has both group and individual components that occur weekly for 10 weeks. CBITS aims to increase coping skills and reduce symptoms of traumatic stress for students in middle school. CBITS will be offered to high school students in the 2025-26 school year. 

The second intervention is The REST Program launched the HEART (Healing Ethnic and Racial Trauma) intervention for students impacted by racial trauma. This group is an affinity space for students with self-reported symptoms of traumatic stress caused by repeated acts of racism and discrimination. The 10-week group offers a space for students to learn about racial trauma, develop coping skills and build a community for support and action.

Learn more about REST and mental health in schools.