Precision digital mental health support for young children in childcare
Official title: Precision Digital Health Support for Mental Health in Early Childhood: A Randomized, Controlled Trial in Childcare Centers
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11345905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-assisted program in childcare centers aims to improve early mental health and behavior for children 0-11 by combining a mobile app with human consultant support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $650,483 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD121748-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345905 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children aged 0-11 enrolled in participating childcare centers and their teachers who use or will use the JS Go app and ECMHC support.
✕Less likely to help
Children in centers that do not engage with the JS Go intervention or who have conditions not addressed by the program may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an AI-enhanced mobile tool plus human ECMHC consultants in six centers, expanding from a prior successful program. It uses a randomized design with 480 children to measure effects on teacher-child interactions, problem behaviors, and prosocial skills. The intervention is available in English and Spanish and was developed with input from the community to fit diverse settings. If the AI support improves daily interactions and child well-being, it could help teachers manage classrooms more effectively. The study builds on prior work and moves toward broad implementation in real-world childcare environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help early childhood educators support positive mental health and behavior, potentially improving long-term life outcomes for children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot work showed feasibility and similar improvements with and without AI, suggesting potential for broader impact in real settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Natale, Ruby Ann — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Natale, Ruby Ann
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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.