A home visiting program to support parents and caregivers facing mental health and substance use challenges
Official title: Family Spirit Strengths: A home visiting strategy to support parents and caregivers with mental distress and substance misuse
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10901833 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a program called Family Spirit Strengths to help American Indian and Alaska Native parents and caregivers who are struggling with mental health issues and substance use, by giving them helpful skills and support to feel better and reduce their substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $620,915 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057913-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10901833 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and primary caregivers who are experiencing mental health challenges or substance misuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as American Indian or Alaska Native or who are not primary caregivers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing the Family Spirit Strengths intervention, which aims to support American Indian and Alaska Native parents and caregivers dealing with mental distress and substance misuse. The program provides preventive strategies and skills to help improve mental health and reduce substance use among participants. Caregivers will be randomly assigned to either the Family Spirit Strengths program or a control group receiving nutritional support, with outcomes measured six months after enrollment. The approach emphasizes community involvement and holistic wellbeing, addressing the unique needs of these populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health and reduced substance use among caregivers, positively impacting their families and communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with community-based interventions aimed at improving mental health and substance use outcomes in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haroz, Emily — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Haroz, Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Family Spirit Strengths: A home visiting program to help parents and caregivers facing distress and substance use
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.