The FASTER Program is funded by a grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and operates through the School of Social Work at Western Michigan University.
The FASTER team have all previously worked for the Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center, which was the first trauma assessment center in Michigan and from 2000 to 2023 assessed over 6,000 children. FASTER is affiliated with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and serves on NCTSN committees.
Our services are all free. We primarily offer family assessments for families who have experienced trauma and/or significant adversity including divorce. Assessments consist of at least one caregiver and one child which includes neurodevelopmental testing, psychosocial interviewing and an adult attachment interview. Referrals can come from schools, courts, therapists, tribal entities, medical professionals, and/or biological or adoptive families.