Health Equity and Rural Education (HERE!) Clinical Trial

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 10, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The HERE! Clinical Trial is designed to improve school attendance among young people in rural areas by providing support through community health workers. The main goal is to see if it's possible to recruit students in grades 6-12 who are frequently absent from school, along with their families, to participate in this program. This trial aims to understand if the intervention can help address issues that may be keeping these students from attending school, such as mental health needs and other social challenges. Researchers will also check if it’s feasible to gather information from families regarding their experiences with the program and school health services.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be children aged 12-18 who are struggling with school attendance, meaning they miss 10% or more of school days. Their parents or guardians must also be involved. The trial will initially recruit at least 38 students and their families to work with a community health worker, while another group will receive standard care with some additional information about available resources. This study is an exciting opportunity for families in Southeast Kansas to get support and help improve their children's school experiences.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Phase I Stakeholder Interviews (nonintervention):
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • A member of the program's Community Advisory Board, including community health workers;
• • Caregiver of a child ages 12-18 from the Southeast Kansas region; or
• • Student at least 12 years in age.
• • Phase II Feasibility Pilot- SB-CHW Intervention and Enhanced Usual Care Conditions
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children in grades 6-12 (ages 12-18) and their parents/guardians from the Southeast Kansas region
• • Student with or at risk for chronic poor attendance (missing 10% or more of the days that school has been in session at any point in the school year)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Parents/guardians or youth with profound intellectual/cognitive disability will be excluded.