What is the SPARK study?
The SPARK Study (Strategies to Promote Assessment and Referral for Kids) is a research study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. We are interested in helping rural Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) improve the way they screen children for mental health needs and connect them to treatment.
Our Approach
The SPARK Study will be conducted with CACs in rural Pennsylvania. All participating CACs will implement the Care Process Model for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPM-PTS). The goals of the study are to 1) Test the effect of the CPM-PTS on caregivers’ understanding of their children’s mental health needs and intentions to initiate treatment, and 2) Evaluate the feasibility of two different approaches to implementation.
What is the Care Process Model for Pediatric Traumatic Stress?
The CPM-PTS offers a way for CACs to identify and respond to child traumatic stress and suicidality. It includes:
• tools to evaluate children’s risk of traumatic stress and suicide,
• guidance for collaborative decision-making, and
• brief interventions to help children and families cope with stress.
See utahpips.org for more information about the CPM-PTS.
How can I learn more about the SPARK Study?
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This study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health: Improving access to mental health services for rural youth: Leveraging multidisciplinary teams to enhance implementation of a screening and referral protocol in rural Child Advocacy Centers
Elizabeth Ann McGuier, PhD 