# Prevention of behavior problems among preschool children in foster care through group-based foster caregiver training at the time of placement

> **NIH NIH R01** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2024 · $691,848

## Abstract

Project Summary
Most children in foster care experience multiple forms of maltreatment, increasing risk for behavior problems
(e.g., aggression, noncompliance, suspensions/expulsions from preschool or daycare). The foster care system
is over-burdened and crisis-response oriented, limiting capacity to focus on prevention of behavior problems
with foster caregivers and children. The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) is an evidence-based 12-session
program (11 concurrent weeks, 1 one-month booster) with demonstrated significant and sustained
improvements in consistent discipline, parenting self-efficacy, and child behavior problems 1 year following
training. If available to foster caregivers, CPP could prevent or reduce behavior problems in foster youth,
decrease caregiver stress, increase self-efficacy and consistent discipline with caregivers, and prevent
unnecessary placement changes. However, adaptations to the existing program are necessary. The goal of
this study is to conduct a clinical trial of CPP adapted for foster caregivers of young children. This will be
accomplished through three aims: Aim 1: Adapt CPP to meet the unique needs of children ages 2-5 years
who are placed with foster caregivers (CPP-FC) and pilot delivery coordinated with mandated
healthcare visits (2 groups, 6-8 families). CPP content will be adapted (e.g., additional content targeting
trauma and child maltreatment, modified discussion of vignettes, additional role-play targeting specific foster
care scenarios). A stakeholder adaptation team, including 6 caregivers, has been established to guide
development of enhanced content. Aim 2: Assess the impact of CPP-FC on caregiver stress & confidence
in managing child behavior. Families (N = 300) will be randomized to CPP-FC or usual care, with
assessments at baseline, 3 months (end of training) and 6 months. CPP-FC is expected to reduce caregiver
stress and increase confidence. Aim 3: Assess the impact of CPP-FC on child behavior. Observations of
structured interactions between caregivers and children at baseline and 3-months will be collected along with
caregiver reports of child behaviors at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. CPP-FC is expected to decrease
child behavior problems and result in fewer placement changes. If hypotheses are confirmed, this study will
provide an evidence-based model to prevent behavior problems in young foster children that could be spread
to other institutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10908388
- **Project number:** 5R01HD105727-03
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Beal
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $691,848
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10908388

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10908388, Prevention of behavior problems among preschool children in foster care through group-based foster caregiver training at the time of placement (5R01HD105727-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10908388. Licensed CC0.

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