Family Navigator Plus for Foster Parents (FN+)
Official title: Building Capacity for Youth Mental Wellness: Feasibility and Acceptability for a Mental Health Family Navigator Model for Foster Parents (FN+ Phase 2)
Run by Northwestern University · NCT07805395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 5-week program helps foster parents understand and support their youth’s mental health and connect to services.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07805395 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are foster parents, kinship caregivers, or guardians of youths aged 6–17 with mental health needs, living in Illinois, who speak English and have internet access.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants without access to internet or those not actively involved in the youth’s mental health care may experience minimal benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized trial tests the FN+ educational program against an attention control to see if it is acceptable, useful, and feasible for foster parents of youth with mental health needs. Sixty foster parents will be randomly assigned to FN+ or control, with blinding of assessors and data staff to reduce bias. Primary outcome is foster parent activation, with secondary outcomes on barriers to treatment and perceived ability to manage youth mental health care. The study uses simple randomization, remote delivery, and online participation to measure feasibility and preliminary effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, FN+ could help foster parents better activate and engage with mental health services for their youth.
How similar studies have gone: Prior related work suggests navigational and engagement approaches can improve caregiver activation, but this specific FN+ model is being tested for feasibility and initial effectiveness.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Foster parent, kinship caregiver, or guardian, of a youth between the ages of 6 to 17 with mental health needs * Parent adopted child from foster care * Living in Illinois, United States * English speaking * Has access to internet and videoconferencing Exclusion Criteria: * Participated in the FN+ Focus Groups, Open Trial or PROACTIVE Parent Pilot Study
Where it's running
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Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Heather Risser, PhD
- Email: heather.risser@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 3128483019
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.