Family Navigator Plus for Families

(FN+ Trial)

Overseen By Heather J Risser, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Disqualifiers: Participated in FN+ or PROACTIVE

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 5 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a 5-week program called Family Navigator Plus, which helps foster parents understand their foster children's mental health needs and navigate mental health services. The study aims to determine if the program is helpful, easy to use, and practical for foster parents. It is open to foster parents in Illinois with children aged 6 to 17 who face mental health challenges, provided they have internet access and speak either English or Spanish. As an unphased trial, this study offers foster parents a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance mental health support for similar families.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on educational support for foster parents rather than medication changes.

What prior data suggests that the Family Navigator Plus program is safe and effective for foster parents?

Research has shown that the Family Navigator Plus (FN+) program is safe for foster parents seeking to better understand their foster children's mental health. As an educational program, it lacks the side effects associated with medical treatments. Reports of negative experiences are absent because the program emphasizes providing information and support. The main goal is to educate foster parents about child behaviors and how to access mental health services. Overall, the program is designed to be helpful and supportive, ensuring ease of use for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Family Navigator Plus is unique because it provides foster parents with a structured educational program specifically designed to support their understanding and management of children's mental health needs. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus solely on therapy or medication for the child, this program empowers parents by enhancing their skills in communication, navigating mental health services, and utilizing technology for support. Researchers are excited about this approach because it targets the family unit as a whole, potentially leading to more sustainable and effective outcomes for children's mental health by creating a supportive home environment.

What evidence suggests that the Family Navigator Plus program is effective for supporting foster parents?

Research has shown that the Family Navigator Plus (FN+) program, which participants in this trial will receive, helps foster parents better understand and manage their foster children's mental health needs. Studies have found that FN+ enhances foster parents' ability to identify mental health issues and access appropriate services. Early results suggest the program is both helpful and user-friendly, simplifying communication with mental health providers and access to resources. The program educates foster parents, leading to better outcomes for their children. Overall, FN+ aims to empower foster parents to effectively support their children's mental health. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather J Risser, PhD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Enrollment Contact, If interested in participation

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University email [e-mail]

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for foster parents who are looking to better understand and manage the mental health needs of their foster children. It's designed to help them navigate finding mental health services effectively.

Inclusion Criteria

Has access to internet and videoconferencing

I am a foster parent of a child aged 6-17 with mental health needs.

Living in Illinois, United States

Exclusion Criteria

Participated in the FN+ Focus Groups or PROACTIVE Parent Pilot Study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend a 5-week Family Navigator Plus (FN+) educational program to support foster parents in understanding their youth's mental health needs and finding mental health services.

5 weeks

5 sessions (in-person or virtual, one per week)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the educational program, including assessments of satisfaction, utility, and barriers to participation.

3 months

1 visit (in-person or virtual) at 3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Family Navigator Plus

Trial Overview The study is testing a new 5-week educational program called Family Navigator Plus (FN+). The goal is to see if this program helps foster parents by being satisfactory, not too burdensome, and useful in managing their youth's mental health needs.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Foster Parents Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will consist of adult (age 18 and older) foster parents of youth between the ages of 6 and 17 with mental health needs. Participants will be located in Illinois, and be either English or Spanish speaking. Participants will attend a 5-week educational program (one session per week) that aims to support them in understanding child behaviors, finding and access mental health services, communicating with providers, and using technology to find support.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11192860

Building Capacity for Youth Mental Wellness This project will test a family navigator program (FN+) to build foster parent capacity to: 1) recognize their child's specific MH needs and address any ...

2. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e49999/

A Family-Based Mental Health Navigator Intervention for ... This study aims to develop and test a foster care family navigator (FCFN) model to improve mental health service outcomes for CWI adolescents (aged 12-17 years ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/family-navigator-plus-for-families-c305e

Family Navigator Plus for Families (FN+ Trial) This trial is for foster parents who are looking to better understand and manage the mental health needs of their foster children. It's designed to help them ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04506437

Foster Care Mental Health Family Navigator (FCFN) The proposed project will develop and test a family-based navigator intervention, the Foster Care Family Navigator (FCFN), a natural fit for improving CWI youth ...

5. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT06978959

Family Navigator Plus for Foster Parents (NCT06978959) This clinical trial is studying a program called Family Navigator Plus (FN+) designed to help foster parents better understand and support the mental health ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0145213420301617

Safety and placement stability for the Children's Home ... This study examined the 12, 24 and 36 month follow up child safety (substantiated abuse record) and placement stability (disruption in placement) outcomes.