Evaluating an Adverse Childhood Experience-Targeting Advocate Model of a Substance Use Prevention Program: A Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Trial
RTI International
Summary
Primary Objective: Conduct a rigorous evaluation of a prevention-based intervention designed to mitigate the harms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) exposure and prevent future ACEs, substance use, and overdose within 36 communities experiencing a disproportionate burden of substance use and ACEs. The study has three aims: (1) use a cluster randomized controlled trial to test effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) + Family Advocate (FA) intervention on substance use, overdose, and ACEs in 18 communities compared with SFP-only in 18 communities; (2) conduct a robust process evaluation informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to explore implementation barriers and facilitators; and (3) conduct a cost evaluation to accurately estimate the costs required to implement SFP and SFP+FA and assess the cost-effectiveness of SFP+FA relative to SFP alone. Findings will provide a roadmap about the best ways to help disproportionately affected communities prevent substance use, overdose, and ACEs.
Description
Early exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as parental substance use, increases the likelihood of future substance use and drug overdose, resulting in an intergenerational cycle of substance-related ACEs that can continue indefinitely if left uninterrupted. Community-level interventions may moderate the relationship between ACEs and substance use by providing an array of family support services and treatments to reduce disparities and improve reach and service linkages in the community. Although research suggests that effectively decreasing the prevalence and impact of ACEs a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 7+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible to participate in this study, a family must meet all of the following criteria: * Either reside in, or attend SFP meetings, within one of the 36 New Jersey communities with disproportionate levels of ACEs and substance use disorder (SUD) issues that are assigned to either the treatment or control conditions via the study's cluster randomized controlled trial design * Meet family eligibility requirements: * One or more adult caregivers * One or more adolescents, ages 7 to 17 * Caregiver provision of signed and dated informed consent form * For children,…
Interventions
- BehavioralStrengthening Families Program + Family Advocate
This intervention will integrate clinically trained, trauma-informed Family Advocates (FA) into the established, evidence-based Strengthening Families Program (SFP). Families will participate in the SFP7-17 curriculum, which consists of 11 sessions over 10-14 weeks. FAs will assist families in accessing community resources for substance use and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) prevention and treatment.
- BehavioralStrengthening Families Program
This intervention consists of the SFP7-17 Group Class Curriculum. Families will participate in the SFP7-17 curriculum, which consists of 11 sessions over 10-14 weeks.
Location
- New Jersey Prevention NetworkTinton Falls, New Jersey