Impact

“I may never pull one of my brothers or sisters out of a burning building, but I can tell you that we have saved lives.”

Jeff Orrange, Orlando Fire Dept. Lieutenant & FFSHC Statewide Peer Team Coordinator

 

UCF RESTORES stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the aftermath of trauma. We are dedicated to redefining the way posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns are understood, diagnosed and treated, with the ultimate goal of restoring lives, families, and communities.

Through evidence-based treatment, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering dedication to the populations we serve, UCF RESTORES also supports the creation of a more trauma-informed society – one where mental health stigma is dismantled and those in need are empowered to seek the help they deserve.

Here’s how we make a difference:
  • Building Strength Through Support: We understand the power of peer support. We’ve built the first and only peer support network for public safety first responders – including Redline Rescue, Blueline Rescue, and Goldline Rescue – connecting first responders with trained peers and culturally competent clinicians who understand their unique lingo, lifestyle, and challenges.
  • Empowering Professionals: Building on the importance of peer support, we’re dedicated to providing those on the frontlines the tools they need to help others in their mental health battles. UCF RESTORES trains hundreds of first responders in peer support each year, and we also equip licensed mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to provide culturally competent care to first responders.
  • Deployed In Times of Need: Our Critical Incident Response Team is prepared to deploy and offer immediate mental health support to communities facing tragedies like natural disasters or mass shootings. We’ve supported first responders and communities following some of the nation’s darkest moments, including the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting, the 2017 Las Vegas concert shooting, and the 2021 condominium collapse in Surfside, FL.
  • Transformative Treatment: We offer a comprehensive treatment approach, including VR-assisted exposure therapy, group therapy, and individual treatment. Our programs are designed to effectively address the symptoms of PTSD and empower individuals to reclaim control of their lives. Our results are superior to national first-line outcomes, and we continue to push the envelope on what’s possible.

   

This dedication translates to real results and measurable impact in the communities and populations we serve.
  • We’ve treated 500+ total veterans and 950+ first responders to date. Of these, 66% of participants with combat-related PTSD and 76% of first responders no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment. In total, we’ve had the honor of helping 1,670+ total individuals navigate trauma’s wake.
  • We’ve created a proprietary VR treatment tool that – in a limited-subject clinical trial – helped 100% of participants no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after just 14 days.
  • Through our REACT first responder peer support training program, we’ve trained 2,000+ participants across 200+ agencies. Vitally, participants of this program have reported using their peer support skills with an average of 26 peers per month and providing referrals for additional services to an average of 13 peers per month.
  • UCF RESTORES is equipping behavioral health clinicians across the nation with the tools needed to deliver trauma-informed care to both civilians and first responders. In 2023 alone, we delivered cultural competency training to over 210 clinicians and reached a 200-to-date clinician milestone with the UCF RESTORES Trauma Management Therapy Online Training program.

For even more on our impact and advancements, click here to explore our latest annual report.

Join us and become part of the change.

UCF RESTORES’ life-saving services are provided at no cost to those in need. We rely on the support of generous donors and dedicated partners to continue our mission. By contributing as a donor, you can fuel our clinical impact, sustain our training programs, and empower our critical incident response efforts. Together, we’re building a world where trauma survivors, veterans, and first responders have the support they need and deserve.

Click here to visit the UCF College of Sciences Foundation page and make a donation.

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