Projects
Current Projects
CMHC
Newport County Community Mental Health Center’s Community Mental Health Center (NCCMHC CMHC) Grant aims to help support and restore clinical services delivery impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations including children, older adults, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This is a collaborative effort between NCCMHC, Tides Family Services, and Child & Family Services. The STRIDE lab serves as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
JCOIN
The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) project aims to rigorously test a systems-change approach for increasing use of medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) using a randomized type 1 hybrid implementation-effectiveness design in probation and parole sites. The project includes a unique network of 7 geographically distinct community supervision (probation and parole) performance sites from RI, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. JCOIN will utilize, the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainability (EPIS) framework to guide system-change through facilitated local change teams consisting of justice and community service providers. A core set of implantation strategies is provided to all sites. The overall objective is to improve linkage to the continuum of evidence-based care for justice-involved individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The STRIDE lab works collaboratively with Brown University as part of the research team.
Funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) through Brown University
RICCBHC
Since 2018 the STRIDE Lab has worked on a number of Rhode Island Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (RICCBHC) Expansion Grants awarded to agencies including NCCMHC, TBH, and CCA. These grants aim to assess implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP), enhance existing services provided by certified community mental health centers (CMHC), and to implement infrastructure enhancements to improve quality and coordination of care for Rhode Island clients with Severe Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disturbance (SMI/SED) and who lack insurance coverage. These grants are a collaborative effort between multiple community service agencies. The STRIDE lab serves as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SYT-I
The Rhode Island State Youth Treatment Implementation (RI SYT-I) project through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), focuses on increasing access to screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery services for adolescents ages 12-17 and young adults’ ages 18-25 who are at risk of or are experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. The project provides services including outreach, engagement and treatment to youth and young adults. This is a collaborative effort between BHDDH and four community service agencies including, Family Services of Rhode Island (FSRI), the Community Care Action Program (CCAP), the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), and Tides Family Services (TIDES) as well as other private practice clinicians in Rhode Island. The STRIDE lab serves as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
Past Projects
CJDATS
The Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies were a five‐year research cooperative that conducted research studies on effective organizational and professional change strategies to implement evidence-based approaches to treating drug abuse within criminal justice settings. The aim of the research conducted in CJDATS II was on organizational and personnel strategies that promoted the adoption and utilization of innovative, evidence-based approaches to the treatment and management of offenders. As such, the focus of this research was on the correctional organization and its employees, programs, and referral linkages rather than on the offenders. In contrast to clinical research that seeks to document the effects of treatment strategies on service recipients, the research in CJDATS II evaluated effective program implementation strategies. CJDATS II looked at three primary areas: 1) substance abuse assessment and case planning, 2) medicated assisted approaches to opioid addiction, 3) continuity of care for HIV and AIDS infected offenders. The STRIDE lab served as part of the research team on this project.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Healthy Transitions
“Now is the Time” Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with, or at Risk for, Serious Mental Health Conditions (Short Title, NITT-Healthy Transitions (NITT-HT). Through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), the purpose of this program was to improve access to treatment and support services for youth and young adults ages 16 – 25 that either had or were at risk of developing a serious mental health condition. Individuals who were 16 – 25 years old and at high risk of developing a mental illness or substance use disorder and were at high risk for suicide. The STRIDE lab served as the as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
MERITS
The Motivational Enhancement at the Rhode Island Training School project investigated ways to enhance motivation for treatment and effectively reduce substance abuse among juvenile offenders. In this randomized trial, a one-way design (MI + Standard Care (SC) v. Attention Control (AC) + SC) was used to determine whether MI enhanced subsequent treatment participation and reduced substance-related problems post discharge in substance using, delinquent youth. Teens also received a booster session of MI or AC prior to discharge. This study extended previous research by evaluating the use of MI with substance abusing teens in a correctional facility, and by expanding outcome measures to include alcohol and marijuana-related behavior (such as injuries and illegal activity when drunk or high) in this population. The STRIDE lab served as the research team for this project.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Project CARE
Project Teen Contraceptive Awareness and Reproductive Education (CARE) compared a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention to a standard sex psycho-education intervention. The MI intervention was designed to reduce risky sexual behaviors by increasing the motivation to use highly effective contraceptive methods and reduce STIs through consistent condom use. The sex education intervention included information on available methods of contraception and STI prevention. The long-term objectives of this research were to develop effective treatments to reduce unplanned pregnancy and STIs for a highly under-served population in great need. Participants received either two sessions of personalized Computer Assisted Motivational Interviewing (CAMI) or two sessions of Didactic Educational Counseling (DEC). The STRIDE lab served as the research team for this project.
Funded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Project EASY
Project Evaluating the Alcohol Screener with Youth (EASY) was developed following a call to evaluate the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Alcohol Screening Guide for Children and Adolescents. Of particular interest was the evaluation of the Screener in clinical and/or other settings to predict alcohol related consequences including use disorder; the Screener’s use as an initial screen for drug use, cigarette smoking, conduct disorder, and unprotected sex; and its performance in making predictions concurrently and prospectively. Project EASY targeted these areas of interest and in addition, studied the implementation of the Brief Intervention (BI) associated with the Screener. The long-term objective of this research was to enhance detection and service delivery to underserved youth. Service Providers were randomized to Screener (S), Screener + BI (SBI), or coaching (CSBI). Youths were randomized to 1 of these 3 conditions, and all received usual services (US). A 1-way design (S vs SBI vs CSBI) was used to determine whether SBI and CSBI enhance youth services-use and reduce risks (e.g., alcohol use, risky sex). Moderators of outcomes (youth age, PO characteristics) were examined and whether coaching in use of BI improved outcomes. The STRIDE lab served as the research team for this project.
Funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Project Resources
Project ReSouRceS (Reduce Smoking at the Rhode Island Training School) examined effective smoking intervention for understudied adolescents at high risk of continued smoking into adulthood by focusing on treating tobacco using detained teens. Using urn randomization, teens were administered one individual treatment in either Motivational Interviewing (MI) or Relaxation Training (RT). This was followed by two group sessions in either Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) or Self-Help Programming (SHP). This was a randomized clinical trial using a 2×2 between groups design to investigate MI vs. RT and CBT vs. SHP. The main effects for treatment were studied as well as whether the combination of MI/CBT was more effective than the other treatment combinations in enhancing quit rates among teens. The STRIDE lab served as the research team for this project.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Project SMART
Project Skills and Motivation at the Rhode Island Training School focused on treating substance abusing incarcerated teens using two individually administered Motivational Interviewing (MI) sessions followed by group sessions of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). The control group received two individualized Relaxation Training (RT) sessions followed by group sessions of Substance Education Training (SET). The Project sought to reduce substance use and associated risky behaviors post-release (including driving under the influence, risky sexual behaviors, etc.). In this randomized trial, a one-way design (MI/CBT vs. RT/SET) was used to determine whether MI/CBT enhances group therapy participation and reduces substance use and related problems (such as crime, injuries and unprotected sex) post discharge in substance-involved juvenile delinquents. The STRIDE lab served as the research team on this project.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
SBIRT
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based, cost-effective strategy for addressing risky and problematic substance use. In an effort to address substance use in the highest need communities, the Rhode Island SBIRT (RI-SBIRT) project through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), was developed to implement SBIRT in non-traditional healthcare settings more frequently utilized by low-income and minority populations. This included adding SBIRT services to Rhode Island’s new and existing Community Health Teams (CHTs). The STRIDE lab served as the as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Additional funding was provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the State Innovation Model (SIM) grant to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to collect and analyze qualitative data regarding the braiding of funding sources on the SBIRT project.
SYT-P
The Rhode Island State Youth Treatment Planning (RI SYT-P) project through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), was developed in an effort to allow the State the opportunity to create a blueprint for the creation of a unified recovery-focused service approach for youth ages 12-25 with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. Goals and objectives were identified around existing gaps, norms, policies, and resources to improve access to and quality of services. The STRIDE lab served as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
TBH RICCBHC
Thrive Behavioral Health’s Rhode Island Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (TBH RICCBHC) Expansion Grant aimed to assess implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP), enhance existing services provided by two RI CCBHC certified community mental health centers (CMHC), and to implement infrastructure enhancements to improve quality and coordination of care for Rhode Island clients with Severe Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disturbance (SMI/SED) and who lack insurance coverage. This was a collaborative effort between TBH, Community Care Alliance (CCA), CODAC, and Tides Family Services (TIDES). The STRIDE lab served as the evaluators for this grant.
Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).