Helping preschoolers at risk get mental health help
Engaging Mental Health Services for Preschoolers at Risk
This project uses trained peer family navigators to help caregivers of Head Start preschoolers (ages 3–5) overcome stigma and system barriers so their children can get mental health care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167723 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child attends Head Start and is showing behavioral or developmental concerns, this program connects you with a trained peer family navigator who understands similar experiences. Navigators build trust, explain mental health concerns in everyday language, coach caregivers on advocating with teachers and doctors, and help with referrals and appointments. The team will pilot the navigator program in Head Start classrooms, track whether families complete referrals and engage in services, and refine the approach based on caregiver feedback. The project focuses on low-income and Black families who often face extra barriers to early mental health care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are caregivers of Head Start preschoolers aged about 3–5 who have developmental or behavioral concerns and who face challenges getting referrals or treatment.
Not a fit: Families whose children do not have developmental or behavioral concerns, those not enrolled in Head Start, or caregivers who decline navigator support are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more preschool children start mental health care earlier and reduce long-term behavioral and academic problems.
How similar studies have performed: Peer navigator and family-engagement programs have shown promise improving referrals and treatment engagement in low-income populations, but applying this model specifically in Head Start preschoolers is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamimura-Nishimura, Kelly — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kamimura-Nishimura, Kelly
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.