Helping youth in foster care avoid substance use through special advocacy programs

Preventing Substance Use Among Youth in Foster Care Through Collaborative Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA) Brief Intervention

NIH-funded research Iowa State University · NIH-11128186

This study is looking to help young people in foster care who are at risk of using drugs or alcohol by creating a special support program through Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) that focuses on their unique needs and experiences.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIowa State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ames, United States)
Project IDNIH-11128186 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to address the high risk of substance use among youth in foster care by implementing a tailored intervention through Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). The project will adapt existing evidence-based interventions to meet the unique needs of these youth, focusing on trauma-informed care. A large-scale trial will then assess the effectiveness of this adapted intervention compared to standard CASA services. By leveraging the existing structure of CASA programs, the research seeks to provide targeted support to at-risk youth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-20 years who are currently in foster care and at risk for substance use.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in foster care or who are outside the age range of 0-20 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce substance use among youth in foster care, leading to improved overall well-being and stability.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using tailored interventions for at-risk youth, indicating a promising approach for this population.

Where this research is happening

Ames, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.