Improving mental health service linkage in child welfare
TEAMS R34 #1 After-Action Reviews in Child Welfare Services
This study is testing a new way to improve mental health support for children in child welfare by making team meetings more effective and helping parents feel more satisfied with their care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 320 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Diego, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT05629013 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to enhance mental health service linkage in Child Welfare Services (CWS) by implementing an After Action Review (AAR) intervention to improve the effectiveness of Child Family Team (CFT) meetings. The study will begin with a qualitative needs assessment involving interviews and focus groups with stakeholders to identify gaps in current CFT practices. Following this, the AAR strategy will be tailored to address these needs, and its effectiveness will be assessed in improving CFT implementation. The ultimate goal is to increase fidelity to CFT interventions and enhance parental satisfaction and decision-making in mental health care for children.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include parents or caregivers of children aged 6-17 with open CWS cases who have not yet had their initial CFT meeting.
Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in the child welfare system or whose cases have already progressed beyond the initial CFT meeting may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better mental health outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific adaptation of AAR for CFT is novel, similar approaches in team effectiveness have shown promise in other settings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion Criteria for CWS leaders and/or caseworkers 1. (For leaders) Employed as one of several CWS leadership positions: CWS Director, CWS Deputy Director, CWS Regional Manager; (For caseworkers) Employed as a caseworker in one of the two participating regions for the proposed study. 2. Plans to remain employed for at least six months beyond study initiation 3. Speaks English or Spanish Inclusion Criteria for formal and informal CFT members 1. Member of CFT with one of the participating CWS caseworkers. CFT members can include mental health services provider, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), educational representative, and other supports 2. Speaks English or Spanish Inclusion Criteria for parents/caregivers with active CWS cases 1. Parent/caregiver of child aged 6-17 with an open CWS case 2. Initial CFT meeting for open CWS case has not yet been held (Aim 3) 3. Speaks English or Spanish Inclusion Criteria for children with active CWS cases (for mental health service linkage data extraction only\*) 1. Child aged 6-17 with an open CWS case 2. Mental health services need/s (identified by the CWS caseworker via CANS screening in advance of the initial CFT meeting, during which consensus is reached regarding the Action Plan and service referral) Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who do not meet inclusion criteria are not eligible to participate in this study.
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California
- UC San Diego - IN STEP Children's Mental Health Research Center — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Marisa Sklar, PhD.
- Email: masklar@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: 858-966-7703
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.