Study of a Family Advocate and Strengthening Families Program to Prevent Substance Use and Childhood Trauma in New Jersey Communities

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a prevention-based intervention aimed at reducing the harms of adverse childhood experiences ACEs and preventing future ACEs, substance use, and overdose in 36 communities facing high rates of these issues. This study uses a cluster randomized controlled trial to compare the Strengthening Families Program SFP combined with Family Advocates FAs versus SFP alone. The research also explores factors affecting implementation and examines the costs and cost-effectiveness of the combined intervention, providing guidance to better support affected communities. The study compares two groups one receiving the SFP with additional support from trauma-informed, clinically trained Family Advocates who assist families in accessing community resources, and a control group receiving only the SFP curriculum. Both groups participate in the SFP7-17 program, which includes 11 sessions over 10 to 14 weeks. Family Advocates engage weekly with families in the treatment group through 1-hour post-session check-ins, including phone calls and service referrals, running alongside the SFP sessions. Participants include families with one or more adult caregivers and adolescents aged 7 to 17 from designated communities. The study involves baseline assessments, intervention completion evaluations 10 to 14 weeks, and follow-ups at 6 months post-intervention. Researchers measure substance use prevalence, perceptions of harm, referrals to clinical and non-clinical services, ACEs prevalence, social needs, substance use risk, system linkages, and costs. Families must have access to technology for participation, and ongoing monitoring ensures adherence and data collection throughout the study period.

Evaluating an Adverse Childhood Experience-Targeting Advocate Model of a Substance Use Prevention Program