First Face in the Classroom: Helping Youth Thrive with Mental Health Training
Official title: First Face in the Classroom
Funded at Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations · NIH-11366299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A school-based mental health training program, adapted from First Face, is being developed to support youth in preventing and responding to mental health crises.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spokane Valley, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $233,548 |
| NIH project number | 1S06GM164729-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include students aged 0-21 in tribal or high-risk communities, and school staff who would implement the training.
✕Less likely to help
Students in classrooms without crisis situations or schools without access to trained staff may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt a community-based mental health training to fit school settings and help educators respond to crises in real time. It will gather information through reviews, focus groups, and expert input to tailor the program for students aged 0-21, with a focus on at-risk youth including Tribal and other vulnerable groups. The goal is to improve attendance, reduce discipline problems, and support educational attainment by equipping staff with practical crisis-intervention skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, students and schools could experience safer classrooms and better academic outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous First Face training has shown promise in community and clinical settings, but this school-based adaptation is new.
Where this research is happening
-
Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
Spokane Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laplante, Debi a — Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
- Study coordinator: Laplante, Debi a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Research Operations and Technical Assistance for Indigenous Health Research
A program to strengthen how Indigenous communities lead and participate in health research, with activities at Tribal sites and youth involvement.
-
First Face for Adolescents (adapting a tribal program for teens)
A youth-focused mental health and substance-use program is being adapted for AI/AN teens to help with self-management, peer support, and when to seek professional help.
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Optimizing Tribal Youth Outcomes for Leas & Legal Professionals
A culturally grounded training program for Tribal law enforcement and legal professionals to better support youth with mental health and substance-use challenges.
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Administrative Core supports tribal youth mental health research and collaboration
This grant funds an Administrative Core to boost collaboration, planning, and culturally grounded mental health work with Indigenous communities and youth.
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Advancing Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities
A tribal youth addiction-recovery program is partnering with researchers to strengthen culturally grounded support and mental health services for American Indian youth in recovery.
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Strengthening Tribal community recovery and mental health support
This project will build and train a local research and training team to improve culturally grounded mental health and substance use supports for Tribal communities.
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.