A parenting and coparenting program for low-income parents of infants
Official title: Connect to Baby: A Pilot Study of a Parenting and Coparenting Program for New Parents
Run by Georgetown University · NCT06179576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new parenting program for low-income parents of infants to see if it helps them improve their parenting skills and work better together as a team.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 2 Months to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Georgetown University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2023 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 19, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06179576 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include mothers, fathers, or father figures of infants aged 2-24 months who can communicate in English or Spanish.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, as indicated by the Woman Abuse Screening Tool, may not benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot project evaluates a 6-session intervention called Connect to Baby (CTB) aimed at enhancing parenting and coparenting skills among low-income parents of infants aged 2-24 months. The program is implemented within the Early Head Start (EHS) framework in Washington, DC, and focuses on engaging both mothers and fathers by utilizing father-inclusive digital media content. CTB introduces four key interaction skills—Noticing, Following, Talking, and Encouraging (NiFTE)—to promote effective serve-and-return interactions with infants and supportive coparenting dynamics. The study employs a randomized control trial design to assess the program's effectiveness and aims to improve recruitment and retention rates by integrating the intervention into a trusted early education program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve parenting practices and child development outcomes for low-income families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar parenting interventions, but this specific approach is innovative in its focus on coparenting and father engagement.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a mother, father (or father figure, including same sex parent and grandparent) of an infant who is 2-24 months. * Must speak and read English or Spanish with sufficient fluency for completion of consent forms and questionnaires and actively participate in the intervention. Exclusion Criteria: • Pre-intervention assessment their score on the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) Interpersonal Violence (IPV) screener (Brown, Lent, Schmidt, \& Sas, 2000) indicates sexual or physical abuse.
Where it's running
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Child Development and Social Policy Lab
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Rebecca Ryan, PhD — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Rebecca Ryan, PhD
- Email: rmr64@georgetown.edu
- Phone: 202-687-2215
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.