Actively Recruiting
Building Capacity for Youth Mental Wellness: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Family Navigator Model for Foster Parents
Led by Northwestern University · Updated on 2026-01-27
12
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
69 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Northwestern University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a 5-week Family Navigator Plus (FN+) educational program designed to help foster parents better understand their youth's mental health needs and access mental health services. This interventional study aims to assess the program's acceptability, utility, and feasibility among foster parents of children with mental health challenges. The study is sponsored by Northwestern University and focuses on foster parents living in Illinois who care for youth aged 6 to 17 with mental health needs. Participants will attend one session per week over five weeks, meeting individually with a family navigator via video conferencing. The sessions cover understanding child behaviors, accessing mental health services, communicating with providers, and using online mental health tools. The program is offered in English and Spanish, and participants will complete questionnaires before, immediately after, and three months following the intervention. Throughout the study, foster parents will complete various assessments including satisfaction surveys, measures of child symptoms, parent activation related to mental health, and barriers to treatment. These evaluations occur at baseline, after the 5-week program, and at a 3-month follow-up. The study monitors participant feedback on program usefulness and participation challenges, capturing both immediate and longer-term outcomes over an 18-week period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Family Navigator Plus for Foster Parents
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Foster parent of a youth between the ages of 6 to 17 with mental health needs
- Parent adopted child from foster care
- Living in Illinois, United States
- English or Spanish speaking
- Has access to internet and videoconferencing
You will not qualify if you...
- Participated in the FN+ Focus Groups or PROACTIVE Parent Pilot Study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 5 weeks
Participants attend 5 one-on-one educational sessions over 5 weeks via video conferencing to support understanding of child behaviors, accessing mental health services, communication with providers, and use of online resources.
Weekly video conferencing sessions (5 sessions total)
Duration - 3 months after treatment ends
Participants complete follow-up assessments on child symptoms, parent activation, and satisfaction 3 months after completing the educational sessions.
1 follow-up assessment visit (virtual)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Heather J Risser, PhD
C
Christina L Boisseau, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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