Increasing Caregiver Engagement in Juvenile Drug Courts

July 15, 2026 updated by: Medical University of South Carolina

Behavioral Incentives to Increase Caregiver Engagement in Juvenile Drug Courts

The purpose of this study is to test a prize-based contingency management intervention for increasing caregiver engagement in juvenile drug court and adolescent drug treatment, and for achieving the ultimate outcomes of reduced substance use and delinquent behavior among drug court-involved youth.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Juvenile offenders with substance abuse problems represent a large and underserved population that is at high risk of deleterious outcomes and long-term costs for themselves, their families, communities, and society. Moreover, a high percentage of substance abusing adolescents continue to abuse substances and engage in criminal activity into adulthood. Although one juvenile justice intervention, Juvenile Drug Court (JDC), has emerged as a promising model for reducing drug use and delinquency among youth, its effectiveness is variable. Drug court outcomes may be compromised by the lack of caregiver engagement in JDC processes and adolescent drug treatment. Incorporating easily implemented evidence-based incentive programs in JDCs might improve their effectiveness in reducing youth drug use and re-offending. An extensive body of research supports the critical role that families play in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of adolescent substance abuse. Although family-based interventions for adolescent substance abuse have been shown to be superior to other treatment modalities, parents must attend treatment and participate in meaningful ways for these superior outcomes to be realized. This randomized clinical trial will examine the efficacy of a prize-based contingency management intervention for increasing caregiver engagement (attendance and participation) in JDC and adolescent drug treatment. This caregiver contingency management intervention (CCM) will be compared with drug court treatment as usual (TAU). Increased caregiver participation is predicted to improve adolescent outcomes (decreased drug use and delinquent behavior). One hundred and eighty youth enrolled in JDC will be randomly assigned along with a parent/caregiver to TAU or CCM. Analyses will examine measures of caregiver engagement in JDC as well as youth substance use (urine drug screens) and delinquent activity. Results from this study will demonstrate the effectiveness of CCM procedures for increasing caregiver attendance and participation in JDC and adolescent drug treatment above and beyond drug court and usual care. If effective, the CCM approach may ultimately be used to enhance JDC outcomes, thereby reducing substance use and recidivism in juvenile offenders served by this promising juvenile justice intervention.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
53

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Dayton, Ohio, United States, 45422
        • Montgomer County Juvenile Court, 380 West Second Street
    • Texas
      • Corpus Christi, Texas, United States, 78415
        • Nueces County Juvenile Court/Juvenile Treatment Court

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

13 years to 89 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria for youth:

  • Involved in juvenile drug court
  • Aged 13-17 years
  • Youth is willing to participate
  • At least one caregiver is willing to participate in the youth's treatment
  • Fluent in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria for youth:

  • Diagnosed with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder

Inclusion Criteria for caregivers:

  • Caregiver of youth involved in juvenile drug court
  • Caregiver is willing to participate
  • Fluent in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria for caregivers:

  • Diagnosed with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder

Inclusion Criteria for therapists:

  • Providing substance abuse treatment to a youth in juvenile drug court

Exclusion Criteria for therapists:

  • None

Inclusion Criteria for Juvenile Drug Court Personnel:

  • Personnel working in juvenile drug court

Exclusion Criteria for Juvenile Drug Court Personnel:

  • None

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment
This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC.
Behavioral: Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment
In addition to receiving JDC treatment as usual described below, caregiver participants will receive prize draws for engaging in activities consistent with their adolescents' successful completion of the JDC program during the time the youth is actively involved in JDC and substance abuse treatment. Specific activities that may be reinforced include: attendance at drug court hearings; accompanying the youth to probation meetings; participating in home visits; attendance at the youth's drug treatment sessions; attendance at mental health provider meetings; attending groups for parents of youth with substance abuse issues; and completing other verifiable treatment-related activities. All activities will meet the goals of (directly or indirectly) enhancing caregiver participation in the JDC and/or treatment process. Caregivers will receive escalating chances for tangible reinforcers each week for completing up to 3 of the activities agreed upon by the caregiver and the therapist.
Active Comparator: Usual Drug Court Treatment
This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC.
Behavioral: Usual Drug Court Treatment
Standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services that a young person would receive while participating in JDC.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Participants With Positive Urine Drug Screens at 5 Months Post-baseline
Time Frame: Baseline to 5 months
This measure reflects the number of positive urine drug screens for THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, MDMA, and oxycodone collected from youth participants. Assessed at baseline and 5 months; data reported for 5-month time point
Baseline to 5 months
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs.
Time Frame: Baseline, 5 months
The GAIN Substance Frequency Scale assesses frequency of substance use over the past 90 days. Scores range from 0 (no use) to 90 (daily use). Higher scores indicate greater substance use severity.
Baseline, 5 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rates of Treatment Completion.
Time Frame: Up to 4 months on average
Rates of youth treatment completion reported by therapists using the Treatment Termination Form.
Up to 4 months on average
Changes From Baseline to 18 Months Post-baseline in Youth Arrests, Charges, and Convictions.
Time Frame: Baseline to 18 months
Number of youth arrests, charges, and convictions measured via official arrest records.
Baseline to 18 months
Changes From Baseline to 18 Months Post-baseline in Youth Delinquent Behaviors (Measured at 0, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 18 Months).
Time Frame: Baseline to 18 months
Frequency of delinquent behaviors self-reported by youth using the Self-Report Delinquency Scale.
Baseline to 18 months
Changes From Baseline to 18 Months Post-baseline in Caregiver Reports on Youth Internalizing Symptoms and Externalizing Behaviors (Measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 18 Months).
Time Frame: Baseline to 18 months
Frequency of youth's internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (caregiver report).
Baseline to 18 months
Changes From Baseline to 18 Months Post-baseline in Youth Reports on Youth Internalizing Symptoms and Externalizing Behaviors (Measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 18 Months).
Time Frame: Baseline to 18 months
Frequency of youth's internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors measured with the Brief Problem Checklist (youth report).
Baseline to 18 months
Changes From Baseline to Post-treatment in Caregiver Substance Use Problems.
Time Frame: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Frequency and severity of substance use problems self-reported by caregivers on the Addiction Severity Index.
Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Changes From Baseline to Post-treatment in Caregiver Depressive Symptoms.
Time Frame: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Frequency and severity of depressive symptoms self-reported by caregivers on the Beck Depression Inventory.
Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Changes From Baseline to Post-treatment in Therapist-Family Working Alliance (Measured at 1, 2, 3, and 4 Months, as Well as Post-treatment).
Time Frame: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Levels of alliance during treatment reported by therapists, caregivers, and youth on the Working Alliance Inventory.
Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Changes From Baseline to Post-treatment in Caregiver Treatment Attendance and Activity Completion (Measured at 1, 2, 3, and 4 Months, as Well as Post-treatment).
Time Frame: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Frequency of caregiver attendance at their youth's substance use treatment sessions and completion of therapeutic activities reported by therapists on the Session Tracking Sheet.
Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Changes From Baseline to the End of JDC Involvement in Caregiver Attendance at JDC Sessions.
Time Frame: Baseline through the end of JDC involvement, an average of 12 months
Frequency of caregiver attendance at their youth's JDC sessions reported by JDC personnel on the JDC Attendance Form.
Baseline through the end of JDC involvement, an average of 12 months
Levels of Satisfaction With Treatment and JDC.
Time Frame: Up to 4 months on average
Levels of satisfaction with substance use treatment and JDC reported by caregivers and youth on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Up to 4 months on average
Changes From Baseline to Post-treatment in Caregiver Perceptions of Incentive Programs.
Time Frame: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Ratings by caregivers on perceptions of incentive-based interventions as measured by the Provider Survey of Incentives.
Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months
Changes From Baseline to 36 Months Post-baseline in Therapist and JDC Personnel Perceptions of Incentive Programs (Measured at 0, 12, 24, and 36 Months).
Time Frame: Baseline to 36 months
Ratings by therapists and JDC personnel on perceptions of incentive-based interventions as measured by the Provider Survey of Incentives.
Baseline to 36 months
Reports at Post-treatment on Youth and Caregiver Attitudes Toward Incentive Programs.
Time Frame: Up to 4 months on average
Youth and caregiver attitudes toward incentive programs as measured during qualitative interviews.
Up to 4 months on average
Changes From Baseline to 36 Months Post-baseline in Therapist and JDC Personnel Attitudes Toward Incentive Programs (Measured at 0, 12, 24, and 36 Months).
Time Frame: Baseline to 36 months
Therapist and JDC personnel attitudes toward incentive programs as measured during qualitative interviews.
Baseline to 36 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Medical University of South Carolina

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Wayne State University
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Baylor University
Alliant International University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Phillippe Cunningham, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
  • Principal Investigator: David Ledgerwood, Ph.D., Wayne State University
  • Study Director: Stacy Ryan, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 13, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 12, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 12, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 8, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 9, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 14, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 7, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 15, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • R01MD011322 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings