Web-based training for mentors helping youth affected by substance misuse
Official title: Substance of Change: Evaluation of Web-Based Training for Mentors and Staff Serving Youth Impacted by Substance Misuse
Funded at Innovation Research and Training, INC. · NIH-11382419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A web-based training program is being tested to help mentors and staff support teens who are affected by substance use in their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Innovation Research and Training, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $264,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA058874-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are youth aged 12-17 affected by substance misuse and the mentors or staff who work with them.
✕Less likely to help
Youth who are not in mentoring programs or whose programs do not participate may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an interactive, multimedia, asynchronous training course designed for mentors and staff who work with youth ages 12 to 17 affected by substance misuse. The training builds on core mentor training and adds materials addressing the unique challenges these youths face, aiming to improve mentoring quality and relationships. The study will measure how the training impacts mentor and staff skills, confidence, and the quality and longevity of mentoring relationships in real-world programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could help mentors better support SMAY, potentially leading to better youth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: There is evidence that mentor and staff training improves mentoring quality, but there are no evidence-based, web-based trainings specifically for SMAY.
Where this research is happening
-
Innovation Research and Training, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kupersmidt, Janis B — Innovation Research and Training, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kupersmidt, Janis B
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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.