Improving health equity through afterschool programs for youth
Official title: Advancing Health Equity through Park Afterschool Programs
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-10840487 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about improving afterschool programs for kids in underserved communities by helping staff learn better ways to support youth mental health and build strong relationships, so that kids can develop important social and emotional skills in a way that feels right for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $433,842 |
| NIH project number | 1R56MH130359-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10840487 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-21 from systemically marginalized communities, particularly those in Chicago.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not benefit from this research include those outside the age range of 0-21 or those not residing in marginalized communities.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing afterschool programs (ASPs) in marginalized communities to better support youth mental health. It aims to develop a more effective professional development model for ASP staff that is tailored to their unique needs and the diverse backgrounds of the youth they serve. By fostering strong youth-adult relationships and creating structured yet flexible routines, the program seeks to build essential social-emotional skills among participants. The approach emphasizes ongoing support and culturally relevant training rather than traditional, rigid curricula.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes and social-emotional development for youth in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that tailored professional development in educational settings can significantly enhance program effectiveness, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frazier, Stacy L — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Frazier, Stacy L
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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.