Preventing substance use and overdoses by supporting families affected by childhood trauma
RFA-CE-22-009 Rigorous Evaluation of Community-Level Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Frameworks that Incorporate ACEs-Related Prevention Strategies
This program brings family-strengthening classes and trauma-informed family advocates to New Jersey communities to help families with childhood trauma lower risks of future substance use and overdoses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11099653 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your point of view, local teams will offer the evidence-based Strengthening Families Program alongside trained, trauma-informed Family Advocates who help connect households to services and supports. The work will roll out in 20 New Jersey communities that have higher rates of adverse childhood experiences and substance use. Organizers will follow participating families over time to see whether parenting, family functioning, and substance-related harms improve, while also tracking how the program is delivered and kept running in each community. Community partners and health systems will be involved to help link families to real-world resources and care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families living in the selected New Jersey communities who have experienced childhood trauma, parental substance use, or who want extra family support to prevent substance-related problems.
Not a fit: People who live outside the chosen communities, those without caregiving roles, or individuals needing immediate clinical addiction treatment may not directly benefit from this prevention-focused program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If this approach works, families could gain stronger parenting skills, better access to supports, and lower chances of future substance misuse and overdose.
How similar studies have performed: The Strengthening Families Program has shown benefits for family skills and child behavior in past research, but combining it with trauma-informed family advocates across whole communities is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Research Triangle Institute — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Phillip W — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Graham, Phillip W
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 below.