Returning to the Land intervention for families in a tribal community
Official title: Testing and Evaluation of the Returning to the Land Intervention to Address and Prevent Substance Misuse
Run by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health · NCT07695818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests a biodiverse outdoor intervention with a tribal community to help reduce caregiver substance use and support emotional/behavioral development in children ages 1–5, by engaging families where teens 14–19 participate.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 14 Years to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Box Elder, Montana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 2028 |
| Study ends | April 2029 |
| Registry record updated | August 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07695818 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are youths aged 14–19 living near the Rocky Boy Reservation and a parent or caregiver of at least one child aged 1–5 who can participate
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who do not benefit may be those who cannot participate consistently due to relocation or other barriers to attendance
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study assesses the Returning to the Land intervention in partnership with a tribal community on or near the Rocky Boy Reservation. Participants include youths aged 14–19 and a parent or caregiver of a child aged 1–5. The design compares the biodiverse outdoor intervention to a control condition to observe effects on caregiver substance use and child emotional and behavioral outcomes. The research is conducted under Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with NIDA collaboration at the Rocky Boy Health Center. Datasets and safety monitoring will follow standard research practices for community-based trials involving youth and families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce caregiver substance use and improve early-child emotional and behavioral development within the community.
How similar studies have gone: Prior community-based, outdoor-rich interventions have shown promise in related contexts, but this exact approach with this population is relatively novel
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Reside on or near the Rocky Boy Reservation (\~50-mile round trip); * Aged 14-19 years; * Parent or primary caregiver to at least one child who will be age 1-5 years at the start of the intervention. Exclusion Criteria: * Any condition preventing meaningful participation (e.g., lacking capacity to consent or planned relocation precluding attendance).
Where it's running
-
Rocky Boy Health Center
Box Elder, Montana, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Helen Russette, PhD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Helen Russette, PhD
- Email: hrusset1@jhu.edu
- Phone: 406-262-4860
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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.