Exploring how support networks affect child welfare and outcomes in families involved with child protective services.

Parents’ Safety Nets, Child Protective Services Involvement, and Child Outcomes

NIH-funded research Florida State University · NIH-10810946

This study is looking at how support systems, like friends, family, and community services, can help families involved with child protective services, aiming to find ways to strengthen these supports to keep families together and improve the well-being of children.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tallahassee, United States)
Project IDNIH-10810946 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of support networks, or safety nets, in the lives of families involved with child protective services (CPS). It aims to understand how these networks, which include both informal and formal supports, can influence child welfare and outcomes. By examining the unique challenges faced by CPS-involved families, such as social isolation and lack of engagement with formal supports, the research seeks to identify ways to improve participation in services and reduce negative outcomes like child removal from the home. The study will collect and analyze data to better understand the dynamics of these safety nets and their effectiveness in protecting children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include families with children aged 0-11 who are currently involved with child protective services.

Not a fit: Families not involved with child protective services or those with children outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems for families involved with CPS, ultimately enhancing child welfare and reducing instances of maltreatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that strong support networks can significantly improve outcomes for vulnerable families, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Tallahassee, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.