Dickinson

This research aims to study a behavioral health prevention program called Journey of Hope-C19 JoH-C19, designed for racial and ethnic minority children living in low-income communities who have been affected by both the COVID-19 pandemic and recent climate-related disasters like hurricanes. The study focuses on preventing mental and behavioral health problems in children from 3rd to 8th grade who are at risk due to these overlapping challenges. The trial seeks to understand how well JoH-C19 works compared to an attention control program and to explore factors that influence its effects and implementation. The study randomly assigns about 800 children to one of two group programs JoH-C19 or a control program called Switch Off Get Active. Both programs involve eight 1-hour group sessions for children, delivered during school or after-school, with groups of 8 children each. Caregivers also participate in a 1.5-hour workshop before the childrens sessions begin. JoH-C19 focuses on disaster-related behavioral health prevention, while the control program covers healthy lifestyle topics. Participants will be assessed before the intervention and then at 2, 8, and 14 months after starting the program using questionnaires that measure behavioral and emotional symptoms, coping skills, social relationships, academic performance, and family functioning. The research also looks at how stress related to COVID-19 affects outcomes and gathers feedback on how the programs are delivered in schools and community settings. The total study period allows for observing both short- and longer-term effects of the interventions.