UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program

🎉The UCF RESTORES REACT Training Program just hit a major milestone! 🎉

Last week’s REACT peer support training with Manatee County, Florida Government first responders – including participants from Manatee County EMS, Manatee County Emergency Communications, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office – marked our 300th agency trained through the program!

As agencies across the state continue to prioritize mental wellness and peer support, we are honored to help equip first responders with the tools to recognize distress, support one another, and strengthen resilience within their organizations.

A special shoutout to therapy dog Sci, who joined in the afternoon and brought plenty of smiles and a little extra support to the group.

New research conducted by the UCF RESTORES team highlights a critical insight for PTSD recovery: sleep is not just a secondary symptom – it is central to healing.

The study examined whether integrating sleep-focused strategies into PTSD treatment improves long-term outcomes for service members. The findings were clear: addressing sleep directly leads to stronger, more sustained recovery.

Here were the key takeaways:
⭐Service members receiving trauma treatment with sleep-focused interventions showed lasting improvements in sleep quality and efficiency.
⭐Those receiving trauma treatment alone did not experience the same long-term sleep benefits – and in some cases saw sleep worsen over time.
⭐Better sleep was closely linked to reductions in PTSD symptoms overall.

These findings underscore an important shift in care: treating sleep is not separate from treating trauma, it is part of the pathway to recovery.

Read the full paper here:https://ucfrestores.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2026/05/Improving-Sleep-and-PTSD-Outcomes-in-Service-Members.pdf