Helping foster parents access mental health services for children
Building Capacity for Youth Mental Wellness: Feasibility and Acceptability for a Mental Health Family Navigator Model for Foster Parents.
This study is testing a new program called Family Navigator Plus to help foster parents find mental health services for kids aged 6-17 in their care, making it easier for them to get the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10986513 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to implement the Family Navigator Plus (FN+) program, which supports foster parents in accessing mental health services for children aged 6-17 in their care. The program addresses the significant mental health disparities faced by youth in foster care, who are at a higher risk for mental health issues compared to their peers. By training foster parents to recognize mental health needs, engage with caseworkers, and utilize digital tools, the program seeks to improve treatment access and outcomes for these vulnerable children. The pilot will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this approach within the foster care system.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are foster parents of children aged 6-17 who are experiencing mental health challenges.
Not a fit: Children not in foster care or those outside the age range of 6-17 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health service access and outcomes for children in foster care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that family navigator programs can effectively improve access to mental health services in similar high-risk populations.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Risser, Heather Jill — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Risser, Heather Jill
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 below.