An Online Therapeutic Foster Family Intervention

Please read all of the information and criteria before applying to this study. The link to apply is at the bottom of this page. 

The University of Arizona College of Nursing in conjunction with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development is conducting research to determine if an online 4-week intervention can provide support for foster families to improve well-being and connection.

The intervention is a 4-week online, self-paced intervention aimed at the meeting the needs of each member of the family and improving well-being and connection. Each week of the 4-week series, parents watch a mini-webinar, children watch a short video, and the whole family completes two activities together aimed at improving communication and connection. Each week’s content builds upon itself with the goal that, at the end of the 4 weeks, families are set-up for success to continue using the tools learned in the intervention.

Who Can Participate?

• Currently licensed foster families residing in the United States.
• Families must have at least 2 children residing in the home (one must be a foster child and another must be a permanent sibling living in the home).
• Foster child must be considered a “placement” and not solely respite care status.
• Families cannot be a designated as a facility or group home.

The Research Study

If you choose to participate, your family will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The intervention group will receive the intervention in February. Families in the control group will be given access to the intervention within 3 months after the intervention group has completed the modules. You cannot elect to be in a specific group.

Participation includes a brief survey about your family, completing assessments at 2 different time points about yourself and your family relationships, and participating in a 4-week online intervention. The 4-week intervention includes watching videos and doing family activities together each week. All participation will take place online.

There are minimal risks involved in this research. Risks include being uncomfortable doing activities with your family and completing the intervention without the presence of a professional.

Some families will be selected to provide saliva samples to test cortisol levels (a stress hormone). This is an easy process and will be explained if you are selected. You may still participate even if you choose not to provide a saliva sample.

Families will receive Amazon eGift cards ($25 after completion of round 1 of the surveys, $25 after completion of the final survey (after intervention), and an additional $25 (max of $75 total) for sending saliva samples.

Please call ‪(801) 709-0613 or

email crplatt@email.arizona.edu with any questions

FAQ

Does my family need to be working with a professional in order to participate?

Families do not need to be working with a professional to participate. The intervention was designed to be done in the home without the assistance of an outside professional.

Can I access the intervention without being a part of the research study?

The intervention is only available to families who are participating in the research study. Based on the results of the research study, the intervention may become more widely available in 2023.

What if my family is not eligible to participate in the study?

At this time, you will not be able to access the intervention. However, if the intervention becomes more widely available, there will be no eligibility requirements for families to access it.

Do I need to have TBRI training to participate in this study?

Families are not required to know of or have training in TBRI in order to participate. It is expected that families will have a range of experiences with TBRI from not being familiar with it to having a TBRI Practitioner in the family.

How long does the intervention take to complete each week?

The amount of time depends on the selected family activities. Each week there is a 15-20 minute video for parents to watch, a 5-10 minute video for children to watch. There are also two family activities each week which could take a varying amount of time depending on the family’s selection.

If I am in the research study when will I have access to the intervention?

The time of access will depend on which group your family is randomly assigned to be in. Depending on the group, you will either have access in February 2022 or around July 2022. You cannot select which group you will be a part of.

What would my involvement be in the research study?

The main caregiver in each family will complete online assessments at 3 different time points over a 3-month period. Links will be emailed to families and there will be a one-week period to complete the required assessments during each of the 3 time points. Some families may be selected, but are not required, to collect a saliva sample at 3 different time points to measure cortisol, and indicator of stress in the body.

To Participate: https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5Ab0WbDdNyFLYTY

IRB #STUDY00000382

This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Arizona IRB.