PARCA mobile app to help people on probation or parole set and reach supervision and recovery goals
Official title: PARCA (a Digital Tool) to Improve Justice and Health
Run by George Mason University · NCT07199374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether the PARCA mobile app helps people on probation or parole who use drugs set and reach goals to support recovery and successful community supervision.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | George Mason University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Austin, Texas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | May 2027 |
| Study ends | May 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 30, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07199374 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults on probation or parole who report recent drug use, have access to a smartphone, and are supervised at the participating Travis County (Austin) or Dallas County (Dallas) sites, with supervising officers at those sites also participating.
✕Probably not a fit
People with serious untreated mental health disorders, those without reliable smartphone access, or officers not actively supervising at the participating sites may not benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This intervention provides justice-involved people with a smartphone app that uses motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques to guide problem-solving, goal selection, progress tracking, and point-based incentives. Supervising officers can view clients' goals, progress, and accumulated points to inform supervision. The study enrolls justice-involved individuals who report drug use and their supervising officers at two county community supervision sites and follows app use with periodic surveys and interviews. Surveys and qualitative interviews will be used to understand user experience and identify ways to improve treatment connections and goal achievement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, PARCA could increase treatment engagement and goal achievement and reduce supervision violations and recidivism among participants.
How similar studies have gone: Mobile interventions using motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques have shown mixed but promising results for substance use, while their specific use within probation/parole supervision is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: All officers that supervise individuals All individuals on supervision that indicate drug use - Exclusion Criteria: Individuals that have poor performance on their job clients have serious mental health disorders \-
Where it's running
-
Travis County Community Services
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Dallas County Community Supervision
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Faye S. Taxman, PhD — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Faye S Taxman, Ph.D.
- Email: ftaxman@gmu.edu
- Phone: 7039938555
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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.