# Community health worker implementation of transdiagnostic evidence-based treatment in Spanish: Advancing mental health equity for Latine parents

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $177,012

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This K08 proposal will address a critical need for evaluating and understanding the implementation of
community health worker (CHW) mental health models to reduce treatment disparities for underserved groups,
specifically, Spanish-speaking Latine parents. The Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) is an
effective transdiagnostic evidence-based treatment (EBT) designed to be delivered by lay providers with little
to no prior mental health training (i.e., CHWs). As members of the community served, CHWs can facilitate
culturally and linguistically relevant services, making them a crucial resource given the shrinking availability of
Spanish services in the U.S. CHWs have demonstrated effectiveness in delivering CETA and other EBTs
globally, but there is little evidence to guide domestic implementation of these models. The goal of this project
is to evaluate the implementation of CHW delivered CETA in Spanish with Latine parents. In Aim 1, the PI will
collaborate with stakeholders to refine CETA fit for a Spanish-speaking Latine parent population. Guided by
ADAPT-ITT, an implementation framework for EBT refinement, a community advisory board (CAB) will lead
refinement around areas of cultural relevance and engagement. Aim 2 will use mixed methods to assess
multilevel implementation determinants during the CETA training period, which includes initial CHW
implementation with training cases, and use this information for ethics-driven implementation planning. Aim 3 is
to conduct a randomized feasibility pilot of CHW-delivered CETA in Spanish with Latine parents to examine
intervention acceptability and feasibility; feasibility of recruitment, randomization, and measurement
procedures; and treatment engagement. Latine parents will be randomized to receive CETA immediately or
after a 5 month delay. Administrative data (i.e., patient attendance, retention), patient-report data (i.e.,
validated mental health symptom measures pre-, during-, and post-treatment), and provider-report data (i.e.,
fidelity) will be used to evaluate feasibility. Dr. Gustafson’s long-term career goal is to evaluate, adapt, and
implement CHW mental health models to reduce disparities in mental health treatment for Latine and other
underserved populations in the U.S. To meet her career objectives and the aims of this research project, the
applicant requires additional training in: 1) community-engaged clinical trials; 2) implementation science, with a
focus on contextual fit optimization; and 3) ethics related to implementing CHW models to address disparities
in care for marginalized communities. Supported by an interdisciplinary team of experts and an institutional
environment invested in supporting innovative initiatives to improve the mental health of marginalized
populations, this K08 will launch the PI into a successful career as an independent clinical scientist. This
project will also provide necessary data for Dr. Gustafson’s future R01 submission of...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11031707
- **Project number:** 1K08MD020100-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Erika Luz Gustafson
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $177,012
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-19 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11031707

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11031707, Community health worker implementation of transdiagnostic evidence-based treatment in Spanish: Advancing mental health equity for Latine parents (1K08MD020100-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11031707. Licensed CC0.

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