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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 6 to 13

Project Support for caregivers of children exposed to violence or maltreatment

Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Project Support

Run by Medical University of South Carolina · NCT06963554 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether a brief telehealth program called Project Support helps caregivers of 6–13-year-old children on a trauma-services waitlist improve parenting support and reduce family distress.

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Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages6 Years to 13 Years
SexAll
Enrollment100 (estimated)
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 4, 2025
Main results expectedNovember 1, 2027
Study endsMarch 31, 2028
Registry record updatedJune 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT06963554 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Caregivers and their children aged 6–13 who are seeking trauma-focused services, have lived together for at least six months, can communicate in English, agreed to be contacted for research, and can participate via telehealth are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Children or caregivers with conditions that impair participation or benefit (for example severe developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, psychosis) or children in foster care/department of social services custody may not benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, controlled trial comparing Project Support delivered by telehealth to a treatment-as-usual control group with two parallel arms. Caregivers of children aged 6–13 who are on a waitlist for trauma-focused services will complete a baseline assessment of family functioning and trauma characteristics and then be randomized. Participants assigned to Project Support will receive didactic, tailored instruction to improve listening, comforting, and parenting skills; all participants will complete a post-test 4–6 weeks after baseline before beginning trauma-focused services. The trial will compare changes in caregiver emotional support, parenting self-efficacy, and family distress between the Project Support and control groups to estimate preliminary efficacy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may gain confidence and practical skills to better support their child, reducing family distress while waiting for trauma-focused services.

How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot and feasibility work has shown Project Support is acceptable and feasible for providers and families on waitlists, but randomized evidence of telehealth delivery is limited and this trial provides preliminary efficacy data.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Family is seeking trauma-focused services for their child;
* Child is between 6 - 13 years old;
* Caregiver agreed to be contacted for volunteer research opportunities;
* Caregiver and child can communicate in English or Spanish;
* Child has been living with caregiver for the last 6 months or longer;
* Family is able to participate in services delivered via telehealth.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Child or caregiver has a diagnosis that would impair their ability to participate in or benefit from services (e.g., traumatic brain injury, developmental disability, psychosis);
* Child is in Foster Care or Department of Social Services custody;
* The caregiver is unwilling or unable to give informed consent and/or the child is unwilling and unable to give assent.

Where it's running

  • Medical University of South Carolina
    Charleston, South Carolina, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Caitlin Rancher, PhD — Medical University of South Carolina
  • Study coordinator: Caitlin Rancher, PhD
  • Email: rancher@musc.edu
  • Phone: 843-608-0491

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.