Feasibility of a Mindfulness Program for Sheltered Homeless Youth
Official title: Assessing the Feasibility of a Multi-Site.b4me Mindfulness Intervention with Sheltered Homeless Youth
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11443738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-site plan to test a trauma-informed mindfulness program for youth staying in shelters to help them stay calm, focused, and better able to handle stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,661,995 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013946-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11443738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Sheltered youth experiencing homelessness in the participating cities who can engage with mindfulness activities.
✕Less likely to help
Youth not seeking or able to participate in mindfulness activities or who cannot commit to the program may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether it’s feasible to run a multi-site randomized trial of a mindfulness-based intervention tailored for youth experiencing homelessness. It will optimize how we measure outcomes, recruit participants, and keep them involved across three cities. The study builds on a one-site pilot and plans to partner with a national network of youth shelters to enroll sheltered youth in Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a larger, fully powered trial that could inform future support programs for these youths.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could become a practical, trauma-informed tool to help homeless youth manage stress and improve well-being in shelter settings.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot work showed promise, but rigorous multi-site studies in this population are limited and need confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santa Maria, Diane M. — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Santa Maria, Diane 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.