NCT06170047

Chicago Parent Program for Foster and Kinship Caregivers

The Chicago Parent Program for Foster Care: A Randomized Control Trial Examining the Prevention of Behavior Problems Among Young Children in Foster Care Through Group-based Foster Caregiver Training

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 300 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 2 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The primary objective of this study is to test the effects of an evidence-based prevention intervention (CPP) adapted for foster and kinship caregivers of young children (FC; foster care) on caregiver competence and child behavior problems for children in foster care compared with an active comparator group that receives standard supports through the child welfare and healthcare systems (i.e., usual care).

Detailed description

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based parenting program, The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) adapted for foster and kinship caregivers of young children (CPP-FC). A parallel, two-arm, randomized controlled trial of 300 caregiver-youth dyads will be conducted, comparing the impact of CPP-FC versus a usual care control on caregivers and foster youth. Quantitative and qualitative data about CPP-FC will be collected from foster and kinship caregivers and through observations of caregivers and youth. The findings from this study will demonstrate whether CPP-FC is effective in reducing behavior problems in young foster children and whether that contributes to reduced caregiver stress, increased caregiver confidence, increased positive parenting behavior, and longer lengths of time that children remain with foster and kinship caregivers, preventing unnecessary moves from one caregiver to another and improving child wellbeing.

Conditions

• Behavior Problem
• Parenting

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Chicago Parent Program for Foster Care	CPP-FC consists of 12 two-hour sessions delivered virtually by two trained group leaders over 16 weeks (11 concurrent weeks, 1 one-month booster) in a group-based format. Foster and kinship caregivers of young children are systematically taught parenting skills through group discussions, videotaped vignettes, structured role play and weekly homework assignments.
OTHER	Usual Care	The Usual Care control will receive services from the county, CHECK clinic, and for licensed caregivers, their licensing agency per usual care. Caregivers receive training and support from their county and/or private licensing agency, children are referred to community services by the caseworker when behaviors emerge, and support from behavioral health specialists is available when caregivers request them.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-02-02
• Primary completion: 2026-09-07
• Completion: 2027-08-30
• First posted: 2023-12-14
• Last updated: 2026-03-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States