A parenting and coparenting program for low-income parents of infants
Connect to Baby: A Pilot Study of a Parenting and Coparenting Program for New Parents
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 2 Months to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Georgetown University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06179576 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include mothers, fathers, or father figures of infants aged 2-24 months who can communicate in English or Spanish.
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.
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 performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar parenting interventions, but this specific approach is innovative in its focus on coparenting and father engagement.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.