Protocol for a hybrid type 1 randomized clinical trial of a parenting intervention to enhance family well-being in underserved populations

The child welfare system (CWS) in the United States faces persistent challenges in serving families from underserved communities, particularly those from Latine and African American/Black backgrounds and rural areas. These families encounter multiple barriers, including language and cultural differences and a lack of local services and access to transportation, which impede access to essential parenting programs. In response to the 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) and other policy initiatives, the PRESERVE & CONNECT project aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Breakthrough Parenting Curriculum: Navigating Trauma Across Generations (BPC)—a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive parenting intervention—in preventing child maltreatment and promoting child and family well-being. A key aspect of the intervention is the inclusion of parents with lived experience in the CWS as co-facilitators, which enhances program credibility, trust, and engagement. This study uses a hybrid Type 1 multi-site randomized clinical trial (RCT) to assess BPC's effectiveness in settings in rural and urban populations. A total of 300 participants will be recruited, with outcomes such as parent well-being, and child safety, and well-being. Findings from this study will determine BPC's eligibility for inclusion in the Title IV-E Clearinghouse, expanding access to this evidence-based intervention within the U.S. child welfare system. In addition to enhancing access to parenting programs in underserved communities, the findings could inform global child welfare practices by illustrating how trauma-informed, culturally responsive interventions can be effectively implemented on an international scale.