Exploring how support networks affect child welfare and outcomes in families involved with child protective services.
Official title: Parents’ Safety Nets, Child Protective Services Involvement, and Child Outcomes
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-10810946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $154,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD111678-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include families with children aged 0-11 who are currently involved with child protective services.
✕Less likely to help
Families not involved with child protective services or those with children outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcwey, Lenore M. — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Mcwey, Lenore M.
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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.