Integrating trained child behavioral health specialists into schools
Official title: Project 3: Organizational implementation strategies to integrate a new mental health workforce in schools
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11332810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps school leaders set up supports so newly trained undergraduates can provide proven mental health care to children and teens at school.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | May 7, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $24,177 |
| NIH project number | 5P50MH139449-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents enrolled in participating schools who could benefit from school-based mental health prevention or intervention services are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not attend the participating schools, adults, or youth who need specialty or inpatient psychiatric care are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Youths, school staff, and researchers are partnering through the University of Oregon and Portland Public Schools to design and test ways to bring a new undergraduate mental health workforce into everyday school services. The team trains child behavioral health specialists (CBHS) to deliver evidence-based prevention, promotion, and intervention for common youth mental health concerns and works with mid-level managers to build a positive implementation climate. Using a Discover, Design, Build, and Test framework, they will co-design practical strategies with school managers and pilot them in real school settings. The focus is on making it easier and faster for students to get quality, school-based mental health support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more students could get faster access to effective mental health support delivered right in school.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work improving school staff training and implementation climate has helped expand access, but using an undergraduate CBHS workforce and targeting mid-level managers is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seeley, John R — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Seeley, John R
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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.