Improving Access

Open Studies

Research study opportunity: Autism FIRST project

Download the Autism FIRST recruitment flyer PDF

STUDY PURPOSE: Researchers at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities are looking for research participants for a study about the efficacy of early intervention services provided over telehealth (video conferencing) for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Parents will receive coaching to provide interventions to support their child's communication and other skills.

YOU AND YOUR CHILD MAY BE ELIGIBLE IF: Your child is between 1 and 5 years old and is either on a waitlist to be evaluated for ASD or has received an ASD diagnosis in the last 3 months & is waiting for services.

WHAT DOES THIS STUDY INVOLVE? Participants receive parent coaching for 30-60 minutes 3x weekly for 9-12 weeks through video conferencing home visits. Questionnaires and interviews are given before and after the intervention. Overall, parents commit to 18 months of participation. Research staff will connect with participants via a webcam and a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Training is provided. Compensation is up to $275 per child/family.

Please contact telehealthstudy@umn.edu for more information about the study.

BabySprout: Research Opportunity for You and Your Baby

Download the BabySprout recruitment flyer

What: You can help researchers from the University of Minnesota better understand early development.

You and your infant can participate in a study which involves the following:

  1. BabySprout program includes remote caregiver coaching during daily routines via videoconferencing for 12 weeks, up to 3 times a week, for 10-35 minutes.
  2. Four remote study “visits” to observe your infant’s play and communication at study entry (6-9 months), 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months.
  3. Four OPTIONAL in person study visits at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. Why: We want to learn about early development and how to provide infant coaching and interventions in ways that are helpful and easy for families who may have concerns about their infant’s development.

Who: A parent and their infant ages 5 to 9 months old.

Where: Most of the study activities are conducted online or using videoconferencing (like Zoom or FaceTime). Some optional activities involve visiting the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Compensation: We provide compensation to you for your time, up to $400.00 for participating in BabySprout study activities.

To learn more please contact: BabySprout@umn.edu

A man holding an infant while looking at a computer monitor.

Family and child-centered early intervention resources

Project Scope

Project Scope Recruitment Flyer PDF

MN Project SCOPE (Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic, z.umn.edu/MNProjectScope ) is an immersion training series focused on supporting children born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). The series features didactic sessions from an interdisciplinary team of specialists. The series reaches broader audiences across Minnesota using the ECHO Model® (Extension for Community Health Outcomes, z.umn.edu/ECHOmodel ), using a hub-and-spoke model to connect rural and remote practitioners with specialists. MN Project SCOPE is part of the broader national training initiative, Project SCOPE (z.umn.edu/ProjectScopeNational ), and is facilitated by University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI).

Southern Minnesota Focused Project ECHO®: Telehealth to Support Families of Children with Behavioral Health and Mental Health Needs

Project ECHO® Flyer PDF

Hear from and share with U of M Hub Team members in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Social Work, Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education. This series is open to all, but is likely most relevant to primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, mental health, and educational providers in South East Minnesota.

When: Thursdays, 12-1 p.m. CST May 2–July 25

Who: Join the University of Minnesota, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain Hub for didactic and case based learning Opportunities.

Register: ECHO series free registration

Contact: tele4families@umn.edu with questions.

Topics to be covered include:

  1. Primary Care Assessment: Co-occurring Medical Considerations/Overshadowing
  2. Behavioral Disorders (Seizure Disorder, Medications, Sleeping, Eating, Pain)
  3. Supporting Children and Youth with Challenging Behavior
  4. Mood Disorders
  5. Hyper Activity Attention Disorder
  6. Autism Spectrum Disorder
  7. Navigating Special Education and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
  8. Supporting Healthy Brain Development
  9. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  10. Anxiety Disorders
  11. ACEs, historical trauma, and trauma-Informed supports.

A diverse group of adults sit, listen, and smile. They are casually dressed. The speaker is not visible.

Studying Service Quality Issues and Shortages of Providers, and Expanding Access to Waiver Intervention and Respite Services

This project surveys community providers, data sources, and community partners to assess the current barriers to meeting the needs and expanding service access for people with co-occurring behavioral health conditions and disabilities. These barriers directly affect the quality of life. The project has developed and is distributing a survey to community partners (emphasizing culturally and linguistically diverse communities) and will evaluate utilization billing/rate data. This project will gather relevant data from community partners, draft a plain language report and recommendations in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and finalize the report with DHS. The findings of this study will inform recommendations given to DHS and the Minnesota legislature on how to simplify and expand intervention services for people with co-occurring behavioral health conditions and disabilities.

Survey flyers are available in English and five other languages:

How can Minnesota improve intervention and respite services for people with behavioral health needs and disabilities?

The project wants public feedback about people's experiences with the following services:

Give your opinion on how to redesign services to meet people's needs by participating in one of the following ways:

  1. Complete a 15-minute online survey by August 1, 2024. Access the anonymous survey at z.umn.edu/waiver-survey

  2. Take part in a focus group (up to 8 people per session). Register here z.umn.edu/study-registration

  3. Get interviewed. Have a one-on-one conversation with a facilitator. Interpreters are provided as needed.

  4. Participate in public listening sessions. Sessions are via Zoom and in person at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Free Lyft rides are available if needed.

Registration

These events are free to attendees/participants, but prior registration is required for some activities. All people interested in these services (self-advocates, service providers, caregivers, etc.) are welcome. More information can be found on z.umn.edu/study-website

Register at z.umn.edu/study-registration