Reducing Parental Substance Use, Improving Child Health Outcomes, and Enhancing Family Resilience Among Rural Families Through Ohio START

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how parental activity spaces and social networks influence reducing substance use and improving child and family health outcomes within the Ohio START program, which supports families in rural areas facing substance use and child welfare challenges. It investigates whether having substance use treatment services nearby and support from family peer mentors helps parents recover and strengthens family resilience, especially comparing rural and urban differences. The study focuses on families involved in child welfare due to substance use and maltreatment, emphasizing the importance of accessible treatment and social support for lasting family health. Participants in this observational study are parents enrolled in Ohio START, an intervention linking child welfare and behavioral health services to provide timely substance use treatment and family peer mentoring. Parents engage with peer mentors through weekly face-to-face visits for 90 days, who support recovery and resource coordination. The study collects data over three waves—at enrollment, 6 months, and 12 months—tracking changes in treatment access, social connections, and family outcomes. During the study, participants will complete surveys about their substance use, parenting, child health, and family well-being at three time points. They will share information about their regular activity locations and social support networks. Researchers will measure parental substance use severity, child psychosocial and behavioral health, child maltreatment, substance use treatment utilization, and family resilience. The study aims to provide insights to improve interventions for families in rural communities, with the overall participation lasting up to 12 months.

Reducing Parental Substance Use and Enhancing Family Resilience Among Rural Families Through Ohio START