1208 Participants Needed

Integrated School-Based Mental Health Program for Student Mental Health Challenges

Recruiting at 1 trial location
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: East Carolina University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This efficacy trial will evaluate the impact of an enhanced version of the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISFE) on elementary school-based team functioning, including use of evidence-based practices, and student emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning. The original interconnected systems framework (ISF) model was designed to improve the depth and quality of mental health services delivered within multi-tiered systems of support by integrating Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and school mental health (SMH) efforts to provide a continuum of high-quality services for students. Preliminary findings from a prior efficacy study show that the ISF improved team functioning and increased identification and services for students in need, particularly among youth of color, when compared to the other two conditions. Moreover, the ISF led to improvements in student social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The current study builds on these findings by testing an enhanced version of the ISF designed to advance the model by adding/modifying several core components intended to further increase the impacts for youth with significant emotional and behavioral problems and reduce inequities in discipline and student service delivery.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Enhanced version of Interconnected Systems Framework, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Co-located School Mental Health?

Research shows that schools using the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) delivered more mental health interventions and had fewer discipline issues compared to other methods. This suggests that ISF can effectively integrate mental health services in schools, leading to better student outcomes.12345

Is the Integrated School-Based Mental Health Program safe for students?

The research does not specifically mention any safety concerns related to the Integrated School-Based Mental Health Program or its variations, such as the Interconnected Systems Framework or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Co-located School Mental Health. The studies focus on implementation and effectiveness rather than safety issues.25678

How is the Integrated School-Based Mental Health Program treatment different from other treatments for student mental health challenges?

This treatment is unique because it integrates mental health clinicians into school systems, allowing for more comprehensive support through a multi-tiered approach that includes early intervention and treatment. It also significantly reduces disciplinary actions and suspensions, particularly for African American students, by embedding mental health services within the school's existing support structures.2591011

Research Team

BK

Brandon K Schultz, Ed.D.

Principal Investigator

East Carolina University

MD

Mark D Weist, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of South Carolina

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for 3rd-grade students from certain North Carolina and South Carolina elementary schools that serve K-5. Schools must have similar sociodemographic characteristics, agree to participate, and already implement PBIS with fidelity. Children with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities or those who opt-out are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Elementary schools from pre-selected North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC) school districts serving K-5 students with comparable sociodemographic characteristics and fidelity of PBIS implementation
Principals' consent to participate
I am a 3rd grader at a participating school.

Exclusion Criteria

Elementary schools from pre-selected NC and SC school districts serving K-8 students
My child has a moderate or severe intellectual disability that prevents them from self-reporting.
Children whose parents have submitted an opt-out form
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of the enhanced Interconnected Systems Framework (ISFE) in schools, focusing on improving team functioning and student outcomes

Intervention school years
Weekly meetings for team functioning and intervention planning

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in student self-report measures, team functioning, and fidelity of implementation

Once in follow-up year
Once per semester

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Enhanced version of Interconnected Systems Framework
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Co-located School Mental Health
Trial OverviewThe study tests an enhanced Interconnected Systems Framework (ISFE) in elementary schools to improve team functioning and student support services, aiming to boost kids' social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes. It builds on a model integrating Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with school mental health efforts.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Enhanced version of Interconnected Systems Framework (ISFE)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
The ISFE addresses limitations of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and school mental health (SMH) and improves the quality of services within the three tiers of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) by providing specific guidance on their systematic interconnection. Meaningful interconnection requires effective interdisciplinary collaboration, well-functioning teams, data-based decision making, and effective selection and implementation of evidence-based practices. The original interconnected systems framework (ISF) capitalizes on PBIS' strong implementation infrastructure and universal prevention strategies and combines these elements with SMH enhancements to Tiers 2 and 3 to achieve a comprehensive continuum of evidence-based practices. The ISFE leverages the strengths of PBIS and SMH to create one integrated system of care that achieves synergy and economies of scale.
Group II: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Co-located School Mental Health (PBIS+SMH)Active Control1 Intervention
Mental health clinicians will be assigned and can work with MTSS teams (or not). Otherwise, there will be no special guidance. We expect this condition to mimic typical practices in schools, where PBIS and SMH efforts are co-located, but not meaningfully interconnected. In other words, we expect parallel functioning (Splett et al., 2014).

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

East Carolina University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
111
Recruited
42,400+

University of South Carolina

Collaborator

Trials
233
Recruited
122,000+

Medical University of South Carolina

Collaborator

Trials
994
Recruited
7,408,000+

University of Florida

Collaborator

Trials
1,428
Recruited
987,000+

References

Effectiveness of a Brief Engagement, Problem-Solving, and Triage Strategy for High School Students: Results of a Randomized Study. [2023]
A randomized controlled trial on the interconnected systems framework for school mental health and PBIS: Focus on proximal variables and school discipline. [2022]
School-based mental health services: a research review. [2022]
An exploration into the internal dynamics of a school-based mental health collaboration. [2021]
Advancing School Behavioral Health at Multiple Levels of Scale. [2022]
Can We Move the Needle on School Mental Health Quality Through Systematic Quality Improvement Collaboratives? [2021]
Maximizing the uptake and sustainability of school-based mental health programs: commercializing knowledge. [2011]
Study protocol: cluster randomized trial of consultation strategies for the sustainment of mental health interventions in under-resourced urban schools: rationale, design, and methods. [2022]
Preliminary development and validation of the Interconnected Systems Framework-Implementation Inventory (ISF-II). [2021]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Schools As a Vital Component of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health System. [2021]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Schooling and Children's Mental Health: Realigning Resources to Reduce Disparities and Advance Public Health. [2018]