SYNC Program for Psychosocial Functioning in Foster Youth

Overseen By Carrie J Furrer, PhD,MS,BA

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Portland State University

Disqualifiers: Non-English speaking, Developmentally disabled, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

106 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to test a program called Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC), designed to help foster youth manage stress, cope better, and seek mental health support. The trial will compare youth receiving the SYNC program along with usual services to those receiving only the usual transition services. It seeks foster youth in Oregon, aged 16-20, who have been in care for at least 90 days after turning 14 and have a history of behavioral health issues, such as emotional or behavioral difficulties. The study aims to improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD in participants. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for foster youth to access innovative support that could significantly enhance their mental well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications. It is best to consult with the trial coordinators for specific guidance.

What prior data suggests that the SYNC program is safe for foster youth?

Research shows that the Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC) program helps young people in foster care manage stress more effectively. Early results suggest that participants find the SYNC program manageable and free from serious side effects. The program includes online group sessions, offering convenience for participants. SYNC aims to help young people manage stress and seek help when needed, without significant risks. Studies so far indicate that SYNC is safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SYNC Program because it offers a fresh approach to improving psychosocial functioning in foster youth. Unlike standard services, which focus mainly on practical life skills and planning, SYNC incorporates a personal touch with 8 weekly remote sessions led by a facilitator and a near-peer mentor who has lived similar experiences. This unique mentorship component aims to provide relatable guidance and support, potentially leading to stronger emotional and social outcomes for foster youth. By directly involving young adults who have navigated the child welfare system, SYNC hopes to create a more empathetic and effective support network.

What evidence suggests that the SYNC program is effective for improving psychosocial functioning in foster youth?

Research has shown that the Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC) program, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve mental health for foster youth. In a study with 384 children in specialized foster care, most participants experienced significant improvements in managing emotions and coping skills. SYNC focuses on changing thought patterns that affect how young people handle stress and seek mental health support. The program aims to boost confidence in managing stress and improve attitudes toward seeking help. Early findings suggest that SYNC can positively affect symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Although more research is needed, the initial results are promising for its effectiveness in helping foster youth. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Blakeslee, PhD,MSW,BS

Principal Investigator

Portland State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for foster youth in Oregon, aged 16-20, who have been in care for at least 90 days post-age 14 and show signs of behavioral health risks. It's not open to those who can't actively participate due to language barriers, significant developmental disabilities, or crisis situations.

Inclusion Criteria

Indicated behavioral health risk. Behavioral health risk is indicated by child welfare administrative indicators of lifetime behavioral health need or service involvement (DSM diagnoses, psychotropic medication, emotional-behavioral disability, congregate care/residential placement)

I am 16-20, was in foster care after 14, and can get federal transition help in Oregon.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to actively participate and understand English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the SYNC intervention, which includes 8 weekly remote 90-minute sessions delivered by a facilitator and a near-peer young adult.

8 weeks

8 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in coping self-efficacy, help-seeking attitudes, and mental health outcomes.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC)

Trial Overview

The SYNC program is being tested to see if it helps foster youth manage stress better by improving their emotional regulation and coping strategies. The study will also look at whether the program encourages seeking help as a way to cope with mental health issues.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Intervention group receives the SYNC intervention in addition to typical child welfare services (i.e., services as usual). The SYNC intervention includes 8 weekly remote (videoconference) 90-minute sessions delivered by a facilitator and a near-peer young adult aged 20-26, both with lived experience in child welfare.

Group II: Services-as-usual Active Control 1 Intervention

The Services-as-usual (SAU) group receives typical child welfare services, which include ILP, or federally funded transition planning (e.g., identifying and supporting youth education and employment goals) and life skills (e.g., budgeting, renting an apartment, insurance) services typically delivered through a mix of classes, group activities, and/or individual skill-building with a paraprofessional service provider.

Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC) is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC) for:

• Improving mental health functioning and service use among foster youth with behavioral health risk

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Portland State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

24

Recruited

26,600+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A resilience enhancement program for 32 female runaway youths in shelters showed significant improvements in resilience, anxiety, and problem drinking at a one-month follow-up, indicating its potential effectiveness.

The program focused on five protective factors—self-esteem, self-regulation, relational skills, problem-solving skills, and goal-setting skills—demonstrating that targeted skill development can positively impact mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of a Resilience Enhancement Programme for Female Runaway Youths: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Noh, D.[2019]

A scoping review of 41 quantitative studies over 20 years identified key individual and interpersonal factors that can improve psychosocial well-being in adolescents aged 13-19 in foster care, emphasizing the importance of individual strengths and quality relationships.

When youth in foster care have their psychosocial needs met and develop strong relationships, it leads to better outcomes, suggesting that interventions should focus on enhancing these protective factors to support their development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individual and interpersonal factors associated with psychosocial functioning among adolescents in foster care: A scoping review. Kothari, BH., Blakeslee, J., Miller, R.[2021]

A study involving 732 foster youth found that individual characteristics like attachment insecurity and delinquency significantly impact their perceived social support during the transition to adulthood.

Social connections with caregivers, relatives, and especially romantic partners or natural mentors greatly enhance perceived social support, suggesting that fostering these relationships can be crucial for improving outcomes for foster youth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The predictors of perceived social support among former foster youth. Zinn, A., Palmer, AN., Nam, E.[2018]

The Fostering Healthy Futures program, a 9-month mentoring and skills intervention for maltreated children, was effective in reducing posttraumatic stress and dissociation symptoms in children with low to moderate baseline risk exposure, based on a study of 156 children aged 9-11.

However, children with high levels of adverse childhood experiences did not show significant improvement compared to the control group, indicating that the program may be less effective for those facing greater trauma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Moderating Effect of Risk Exposure on an Efficacious Intervention for Maltreated Children. Weiler, LM., Taussig, HN.[2020]

The study of 22 youth aged 16-20 in foster care revealed that their support networks often lack capacity due to interpersonal difficulties, which limits the effectiveness of support from family, peers, and caseworkers.

However, stable and cohesive support networks, characterized by strong relationships with caregivers and service providers, can enhance the multidimensional support available to these young adults as they transition out of foster care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies. Blakeslee, JE., Best, JI.[2023]

Mentees in foster care experienced shorter mentoring matches and were more likely to have their matches close prematurely compared to those not in foster care, indicating a need for targeted support in these relationships.

The study found that the implementation of benchmark program practices was associated with longer match lengths for mentees in foster care, suggesting that structured mentoring practices can enhance the stability of these relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting Mentoring Relationships of Youth in Foster Care: Do Program Practices Predict Match Length? Stelter, RL., Kupersmidt, JB., Stump, KN.[2019]

In a study involving 384 children in specialized foster care, most participants showed significant improvement in various outcomes, highlighting the effectiveness of this intervention.

Longer stays in specialized foster care (up to two years and five months) were linked to better outcomes, particularly for younger children and those with fewer problems, suggesting that extended support can be beneficial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes of specialized foster care in a managed child welfare services network. Cross, TP., Leavey, J., Mosley, PR., et al.[2019]

The mentoring and skills group intervention significantly reduced the likelihood of children in foster care being placed in residential treatment by 82%, indicating a strong positive impact on their stability.

Children in nonrelative foster care who participated in the intervention experienced 44% fewer placement changes and were five times more likely to achieve permanency, highlighting the intervention's effectiveness in improving long-term outcomes for these vulnerable children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

RCT of a mentoring and skills group program: placement and permanency outcomes for foster youth. Taussig, HN., Culhane, SE., Garrido, E., et al.[2021]

The SYNC intervention aims to improve coping self-efficacy and help-seeking behaviors among youth in foster care, addressing their unique mental health challenges and support needs, based on insights from a needs assessment and feedback from a research advisory group.

Initial testing with 30 youth participants and 82 service providers showed that the intervention is acceptable and feasible, emphasizing the importance of group-based formats and peer mentorship to engage young people effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intervention development to improve foster youth mental health by targeting coping self-efficacy and help-seeking. Blakeslee, JE., Kothari, BH., Miller, RA.[2023]

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SYNC Program for Psychosocial Functioning in Foster Youth

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Our short-term objective is to remotely test a group intervention called Stronger Youth Networks and Coping (SYNC) that targets cognitive ...