Parenting for Tomorrow: A New Model for Supporting Preschool Children's Mental Health in Head Start

Purpose of this study is to test the preliminary efficacy, acceptability, accessibility, cost, and sustainability of an innovative mental health treatment model for young children from low-income, under-resourced communities through a partnership with Head Start programs in urban and rural communities in Maryland.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Parenting; Parenting Intervention
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Chicago Parent Program - individualized for families (CPPi)

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is to test the preliminary efficacy, acceptability, accessibility, cost, and sustainability of an innovative, scalable model for improving young children's mental health services through a partnership with Head Start programs in urban and rural communities in Maryland. The study will use four transformational innovations for eliminating barriers to high quality mental health services for families of young children (2-5 years old) from low-income, under-resourced communities through a partnership with Head Start programs in urban and rural communities in Maryland: 1) test an adaptation of a validated group-based parenting skills and support program (Chicago Parent Program) developed in collaboration with African American and Hispanic parents from low-income communities, for use with individual families (CPPi) concerned about the participant's preschool children's mental health; 2) embed CPPi in a trusted community-based agency long committed to a 2-generation social service model of supporting families from low-income communities; 3) use human centered design strategies to co-create a CPPi referral and enrollment strategy with parents and staff that is welcoming, culturally appropriate, consistent with Head Start's service delivery processes, and eliminates the stigma associated with children receiving a psychiatric diagnosis (as is typically required for reimbursement in traditional child mental health settings); and 4) capitalize on the knowledge, experience, and holistic orientation of registered nurses (RNs) to implement CPPi in Head Start. Children's behavior problems collected at baseline and post-intervention data from the parent and teacher's perspectives. Parent satisfaction with CPPi is measured at post-intervention only.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 160

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Deborah Gross, DNSc; Phone Number: 410-614-5311; Email: debgross@jhu.edu
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Amie F Bettencourt, PhD; Phone Number: 410-955-8021; Email: abetten3@jhu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205
      • Recruiting
      • Johns Hopkins University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Parents (defined broadly to include a range of caregivers) of young children (2-5 years old) in Head Start programs in urban and rural communities in Maryland.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child is 2-5 years old, enrolled in Baltimore City Head Start (Baltimore City Mayor's Office on Child & Family Success) or Head Start sites managed by Catholic Charities of MD
• parent expresses concern about the child's behavior or need for parenting support
• parent speaks English or Spanish
• Parent age 18-99 years
• Parent able to participate in virtual intervention sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parent does not speak English or Spanish

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Parents enroll in Parenting for Tomorrow using Chicago Parent Program - individualized for families; Parents enroll in Parenting for Tomorrow using Chicago Parent Program - individualized for families (CPPi) implemented through a telehealth approach.	Behavioral: Chicago Parent Program - individualized for families (CPPi); CPPi is a 8-12 session individual- based parenting skills program

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Child Social - Emotional and Behavioral Wellbeing as assessed by the Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)	Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a 25 item measure of children's emotional symptoms (5 items), conduct problems (5 items), hyperactivity/inattention (5 items), peer relationship problems (5 items) and prosocial behavior (5 items). A higher score on the SDQ's emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems scales generally indicates more difficulties in those areas, while a lower score suggests fewer problems. Conversely, a higher score on the prosocial behavior scales indicates more positive social behaviors, while a lower score suggests more difficulties in this area. The score range for total difficulties is 0-40 and the score range for prosocial behavior is 0-10.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in Child Anxiety as assessed by the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS)	Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS), a 28-item measure of young children's generalized, social, and separation anxieties; obsessive compulsive disorder, and physical injury fears. The score ranges from 0 - 112. Elevated scores on specific subscales may be indicative of potential concerns in those areas.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in Child Social - Emotional and Behavioral Wellbeing in the Classroom as assessed by the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation (SCBE)	Head Start teacher ratings of children's social competence and behavior in the classroom using the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation (SCBE), a 30-item measure with 3 subscales measuring children's social competence, anger/aggression, and anxiety/withdrawal. The score ranges from 30-180. A higher score on the social competence subscale suggests that the child displays more positive social behaviors and skills. A higher score on the anger/aggression subscale suggests that the child exhibits more anger and aggressive behaviors. A higher score on the anxiety/withdrawal subscale suggests that the child experiences more anxiety and withdrawal behaviors.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in parenting skills as assessed by the Parenting Questionnaire (PQ)	Parenting Questionnaire (PQ) is a validated 40-item measure of parents' use of positive discipline, harsh discipline, and consistency of discipline techniques. The score ranges from 40-200. There are 3 subscales of interest for the parenting questionnaire that include: (1) Warmth: higher scores = greater warmth; (2) Corporal Punishment: higher scores = greater use of corporal punishment, and (3) Following Through on Discipline: higher scores = more likely to follow through on discipline.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in parenting confidence as assessed by the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC)	Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) is a widely used 17-item measure of parents' confidence with managing their child's behavior. The score ranges from 17-102. A higher score indicates a higher parenting sense of competency.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Number of referred children with clinically significant social-emotional and behavioral scores as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will be assessed by collecting information on the number of referred children with clinically significant Social-emotional and behavioral scores. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Length of time (in days) from referral to first CPPi appointment as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the length of time (in days) from referral to first CPPi appointment. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Number of referred families who initiate CPPi treatment as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the number of referred families who initiate CPPi treatment. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Average attendance by parents to scheduled CPPi sessions as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on average attendance by parents to scheduled CPPi sessions. CPPi includes 6 required and 2 optional modules, and parents are expected to attend 8-12 1-hour sessions to complete CPPi. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Number of CPPi modules completed as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the number of CPPi modules completed. CPPi includes 6 required and 2 optional modules. CPPi includes 6 required and 2 optional modules. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Number of parents completing CPPi as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the number of parents completing CPPi. CPPi includes 6 required and 2 optional modules. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Number of missed appointments without cancellation for CPPi sessions as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the number of missed appointments without cancellation for CPPi sessions. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Number of internet connectivity issues experienced during CPPi sessions as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	CPPi accessibility will also be assessed by collecting information on the number of internet connectivity issues experienced. Data will be obtained from CPPi RNs who will document all service encounters.	Immediately after the intervention
Percentage of improvement in participants' perceived effectiveness of CPPi as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	The CPPi acceptability will be assessed by measuring the impact of CPPi on participants' perceived efficacy.	Immediately after the intervention
Percentage of participants reporting satisfaction with the CPPi referral, scheduling process, and virtual format as assessed by a survey developed by the study team.	The CPPi acceptability will also be assessed by measuring the referral, scheduling process, and virtual format for CPPi sessions.	Immediately after the intervention
Percentage of participants rating CPPi as user-friendly as assessed by a survey developed by the study team.	The CPPi acceptability will also be assessed by measuring the ease of use of the intervention program. Data will be collected from parents and RNs who were involved in the program.	Immediately after the intervention
Participants' ratings of the quality of therapeutic relationship with CPPi nurses as assessed by a survey developed by the study team.	The CPPi acceptability will also be assessed by measuring the quality of therapeutic relationship between parents and the CPPi nurses.	Immediately after the intervention
Parent's satisfaction as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	Parent's satisfaction will be measured using the Chicago Parent Program Parent Satisfaction Form. Measure includes 19 items assessing the extent to which they and their child benefitted from the program (scored on a Likert-type scale), aspects of the program that were most and least beneficial, and the extent to which they would recommend the program to other parents. Each item is scored and interpreted separately. The score for the first seven questions ranges from 7-28, with a higher score indicating higher satisfaction with the program. For question number 10-16, the score ranges from 7-28, and higher score indicates that the program was very helpful.	Immediately after the intervention
CPPi sustainability as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	The CPPi sustainability will be measured using interviews that will be conducted with Head Start teachers, family service workers, and agency leaders (n=20) to learn their perceptions of the benefits and limitations of implementing CPPi with their families, extent to which they believe CPPi improved child mental health and contributed to their mission, anticipated barriers and facilitators to sustaining CPPi, and recommendations for future implementation. We will also interview up to 5 CPPi Registered Nurses to learn their perceptions of how CPPi and working with Head Start parents fit with their knowledge, expertise, and career goals and barriers and facilitators to continuing this work after the study ends.	Immediately after the intervention
Implementation cost as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	The study will estimate CPPi implementation costs including direct (CPPi materials, provider training, referral costs, RN time to prepare for and implement CPPi sessions, RN supervision costs, costs to parents and RN's associated with use of their computer hardware or cellphone and broadband connection, technical problems resulting in additional costs) and indirect (e.g., parent time) costs. Data will come from study records and participant interviews. Costs will be calculated by multiplying the quantity of each source used by the resource's cost per unit, then summing up all of the resources. Person time costs will be estimated using national US Bureau of Labor Statistics mean hourly compensation cost estimates for RNs including salary and fringe benefits. Costs for use of computer equipment and broadband will be estimated based on national average broadband costs per hour allocated to each CPPi participant and RN proportionally based on time in sessions.	Immediately after the intervention
Percent of CPPi nurses who adhere to the CPPi program as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	All CPPi sessions will be audio recorded (with parent consent) and submitted to the Project Director. A random selection of 10% of audio recordings will be assessed for CPPi Fidelity (RN adherence to the CPPi protocol and facilitation skill/quality).	Immediately after the intervention
Number of CPPi sessions attended by the parents as assessed by a survey developed by the study team	The CPPi Program participation ranges from 0-12 sessions.	Immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in parental mental health - anxiety as assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)	Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item screening measure of generalized anxiety. The score ranges from 0-21. A score of 0-4: indicates minimal anxiety, 5-9 indicates mild anxiety, 10-14 indicates moderate anxiety, and 15-21 indicates severe anxiety.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in parental mental health - depressive symptoms as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression Scale (PHQ-8)	Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression Scale (PHQ-8) is a brief measure of depressive symptoms in the general population. The score ranges 0-24. A score of 10 or greater is considered major depression, 20 or more is severe major depression.	Baseline, immediately after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
• Collaborators: The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation; Abell Foundation; Richman Foundation; Sherman Family Foundation; Blanket Fort Foundation; Wright Family Foundation; Baltimore Community Foundation
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Deborah Gross, DNSc, JHU School Of Nursing

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 15, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): November 24, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 18, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 12, 2023
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Parenting; Chicago Parent Program; CPPi
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB00404061

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No