Allendale is taking a transformative step toward enhancing our clinical and organizational practices by adopting the ARC framework, a comprehensive intervention model designed to address trauma and foster resilience. Developed in 2005 by Margaret E. Blaustein, Ph.D., and Dr. Kristine M. Kinniburgh, LICSW, ARC—Attachment, self-Regulation, and Competency—is widely recognized for its effectiveness as both a clinical intervention and an organizational framework across diverse systems of care and treatment settings including congregate care, community, and home environments.
Why ARC?
The ARC framework isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Blaustein and Dr. Kinniburgh’s research with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and the Justice Resource Institute (JRI) underscores that trauma treatment requires flexibility and adaptation to different contexts. As they put it, “Trauma work is complex, and an attempt to apply the same strategy at all times, with all families, and within all settings is likely to fall short.” The framework emphasizes engagement, psychoeducation, and routine, providing a structured yet adaptable approach to treatment.
The Core of ARC: Three Domains of Intervention
ARC focuses on three foundational domains:
- Attachment
This domain strengthens caregiving systems, offering support and skill development to enhance connections between youth and their caregivers. - Self-Regulation
Learning to regulate oneself through various coping strategies helps individuals cultivate self-awareness and manage their feelings, thoughts, and physical responses to trauma. - Competency
Competency-building focuses on resilience through encouragement to individuals/families to integrate their life experiences—both positive and traumatic—into a cohesive narrative that fosters empowerment and a future-oriented mindset.
A User-Friendly Approach
Within these domains, ARC identifies eight key treatment targets, conceptualized as “building blocks.” These user-friendly concepts guide treatment teams and departments across Allendale to support youth and families – and each other – in building resilience, ensuring trauma is integrated into their narratives as a source of strength rather than a lingering shadow.
Adopting the ARC Framework
With the remarkable generosity of the Willow Springs Foundation and the Oberhelman Foundation, Allendale was able to take a significant step forward by introducing ARC training for our dedicated staff.
Allendale’s adoption of the ARC framework is part of a broader initiative to transform our clinical and organizational culture into one that is trauma-informed and universally accessible. To achieve this, Allendale embraced a “train the trainer” model to train every staff member in every department across the agency.
Beginning in April 2024, Allendale direct care and leadership staff members—across all programs and departments—have been participating in monthly training sessions led by Dr. Allison Jackson Dyer of Resilient Leaders and Debi Grebenik, Ph.D., LCSW. These sessions equip trainers with the skills and knowledge to cascade the ARC principles throughout their respective departments and teams. This iterative process fosters collaboration and allows Allendale’s teams to adapt the framework to the unique needs of the youth and families we serve.
“Not only are the Allendale staff learning about the model; they are also infusing it into their work with clients and with each other. Their commitment to the framework is clear as they creatively find ways to use the concepts. The participants consistently report back how clients are responding positively to strategies that are based on the ARC framework. With continued use, I am confident that the lives of the Allendale clients will be positively impacted toward healing,” says Dr. Debi Grebenik.
Looking Ahead
Allendale’s commitment to the ARC framework represents a significant shift toward creating a cohesive, trauma-informed culture. By uniting our systems of care under one shared supervision framework and treatment language, we aim to make our approach more engaging and effective for clients and staff alike – and more “user friendly” for our youth, students, and families.
In the months ahead, as training modules progress and feedback loops strengthen, Allendale looks forward to embedding the ARC principles deeper into our agency operations, offering renewed hope and continued support to the youth and families we serve.
Allendale: A tradition of care and service.
For over 127 years, Allendale, a private, not-for-profit organization, has led youth with serious emotional, mental, and behavioral health challenges and their families on a journey towards resiliency.
At Allendale, our aim is to offer every chance for healing and growth – through a myriad of programs and services and a continuum of care including 24/7 therapeutic residential treatment, therapeutic day school programs, outpatient counseling services, foster care, emergency shelter and transitional living and intensive in-home and community support services. Allendale is a place where kids and families can restore their lives and discover a better future.