# Using Administrative and Clinical Data to Detect Drug Use and HIV Risk in Foster Care

> **NIH NIH K01** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2020 · $165,510

## Abstract

USING ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLINICAL DATA TO DETECT DRUG USE AND HIV RISK IN FOSTER CARE
Project Summary
 The candidate's goal is to develop an independent research career as a developmental psychologist
focused on identifying mechanisms to prevent the onset of pervasive and detrimental health risk behaviors,
including substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors, among adolescents and young adults involved in foster
care. She has experience in examining psychosocial and behavioral processes during this period of
development and a strong publication record for the current phase in her career. Her previous training has
emphasized development during adolescence and the transition to adulthood and health behaviors during this
timeframe. In the K01, she proposes to expand her training to become an expert leader in team science
approaches to address substance use and HIV risk behaviors during adolescence and the transition to
adulthood, specifically focusing on foster youth, using child welfare administrative data and electronic medical
records (EMR). Her training will emphasize: 1) development as an independent researcher and leader in
interdisciplinary approaches to addressing health and development among foster youth, 2) substantive training
in child maltreatment, substance use, and HIV risk behaviors, and 3) the use of machine learning to distinguish
youth at risk, with the end goal of identifying opportunities for prevention. This will be accomplished through
seminars and journal clubs offered at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), attending
regional and national conferences and trainings on substantive topics, and completion of coursework in child
maltreatment and machine learning. Finally, she will complete coursework and seminars addressing the ethical
conduct of research. Dr. Beal's goal is to submit an R01, as PI, during the third year of this grant.
 CCHMC, one of the top three pediatric research hospitals in the nation, is committed to Dr. Beal's career
development. The research environment at CCHMC and within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and
Clinical Psychology, and the mentors and collaborators identified in this proposal, are well-suited to Dr. Beal's
interests and research goals. Dr. Beal will be co-mentored by Dr. Jennie Noll and Dr. Robert Ammerman. Dr.
Noll has extensive experience as a researcher examining the impact of child maltreatment on adolescent
development, particularly around sexual risk behaviors. Dr. Ammerman is a well-established researcher with
expertise in prevention and intervention programs for high-risk populations. Her advisory committee includes
Dr. Melissa Jonson-Reid, an internationally recognized researcher in child welfare and the use of
administrative records, Dr. John Schulenberg, developmental psychologist and authority in adolescent and
young adult substance use, Dr. Jessica Kahn, expert in adolescent medicine and sexual and HIV risk
behaviors, and Dr. John Pestian, leader in machine lear...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851871
- **Project number:** 5K01DA041620-04
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Beal
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $165,510
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-15 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851871

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851871, Using Administrative and Clinical Data to Detect Drug Use and HIV Risk in Foster Care (5K01DA041620-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851871. Licensed CC0.

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