The Montana Experiences and Expressions Screener (EES) emerged from an effort by the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime’s Vision 21: Linking Systems of Care (LSOC) for Children and Youth program, a six-year demonstration project in two states (Montana and Virginia) with a mandate to bring together relevant systems and professionals to provide early identification, intervention, and treatment for child and youth victims and their families and caregivers. 

Versions & Purpose

There are two versions of the Montana EES. The first is for children up to 8 years old; the second is for young people 9 through 17 years of age (Juvenile Justice may conduct the screening on 18-year-old individuals under special circumstances).

The Montana EES was not developed to be a mental health assessment, nor was it designed to diagnose symptoms. Instead, it was created to serve as a brief screening tool capable of allowing laypeople, as well as service providers, to efficiently identify potential need specifically related to trauma and victimization. Montana EES questions were designed to detect the most common symptoms of trauma and victimization through an exploration of experiences and some expressions typically related to stress. The purpose of this screener is to identify children and youth with potential need and to facilitate referrals for a mental health assessment or other appropriate services.

The LSOC research team constructed this manual to assist youth-serving providers with Montana EES administration. This manual includes information about child traumatic stress and the effects of adverse experiences. It also explores strategies for demystifying the subject of abuse, building rapport with individuals and their families in advance of screening, gaining parent or guardian permission to screen with the Montana EES, and making service referrals. Techniques for administering the screening tool, navigating mandatory reporting laws, and managing responses and disclosures of trauma are also included.

Because the information collected through screening may be sensitive in nature, it is important that Montana EES administrators have the training necessary to deliver it in a trauma-informed manner. For more information about training for EES administrators, read the EES Community Training Manual.