Helping youth in foster care avoid substance use through special advocacy programs
Official title: Preventing Substance Use Among Youth in Foster Care Through Collaborative Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA) Brief Intervention
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11128186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $663,662 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA061172-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-20 years who are currently in foster care and at risk for substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in foster care or who are outside the age range of 0-20 years may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schweer-Collins, Maria — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Schweer-Collins, Maria
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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.