From Court to the Community

Launched by RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · Jan 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This trial is testing whether training community mental health clinicians to use an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral approach (JJ-COPES) can improve care for justice-involved youth who have or are at risk for suicidal thoughts, self-injury, or related behaviors. The study uses a stepped-wedge design: nine Rhode Island community mental health agencies will roll out the training in three groups over time, with about 45 clinicians in total. JJ-COPES training focuses on four main treatment strategies plus a caregiver session, and the researchers will look at both how clinicians deliver the approach and how it affects their patients.

Eligible participants are adults (18 and older) who work with justice-involved youth and have an active caseload, are willing to be trained, and will participate in the implementation effort. There are no exclusions listed for clinicians. Researchers will collect information from electronic medical records over several years to see if the training increases use and quality of evidence-based strategies, improves patient engagement with care (like attendance at sessions), and reduces crises or hospital visits related to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. The study is led by Rhode Island Hospital and is currently enrolling by invitation, with plans to continue through 2027.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Eligible providers must have active caseloads of justice-involved youth, be willing to be trained in COPES, and participate in implementation efforts
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • None