Background An increasing number of schools in rural settings are implementing multi-tier positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) to address school-climate problems. PBIS can be used to provide the framework for the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to address children’s mental health concerns. Given the large service disparities for children in rural areas, offering EBPs through PBIS can improve access and lead to better long-term outcomes. A key challenge is that school personnel need technical assistance in order to implement EBPs with fidelity and clinical effectiveness. Providing ongoing on-site support is not feasible or sustainable in the majority of rural schools, due to their remote physical location. For this reason, remote training technology has been recommended for providing technical assistance to behavioral health staff (BHS) in under-served rural communities. Objectives The purpose of this study is to use the user-centered design, guided by an iterative process (rapid prototyping), to develop and evaluate the appropriateness, feasibility, acceptability, usability, and preliminary student outcomes of two online training strategies for the implementation of EBPs at PBIS Tier 2. Methods The study will employ a pragmatic design comprised of a mixed-methods approach for the development of the training platform, and a hybrid type 2, pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the implementation and student outcomes of two training strategies: Remote Video vs. Remote Video plus Coaching. Discussion There is a clear need for well-designed remote training studies focused on training in non-traditional settings. Given the lack of well-trained mental health professionals in rural settings and the stark disparities in access to services, the development and pilot-testing of a remote training strategy for BHS in under-served rural schools could have a significant public health impact. Ethics and dissemination The project was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board. Results will be submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov and disseminated to community partners and participants, peer-reviewed journals, and academic conferences. Trial registration ClinicialTrials.gov, NCT05034198 and NCT05039164

BackgroundCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pediatric anxiety is efficacious for reducing anxiety symptoms and improving functioning, but many children are unable to access CBT for anxiety in community settings. Schools are an important setting in which children access mental health care, including therapy for anxiety. In this setting, therapy is usually delivered by Masters-level therapists.ObjectivesFriends for Life (FRIENDS), a 12-session, manualized, group CBT program for anxiety has demonstrated effectiveness when implemented in schools. However, prior research has also found challenges regarding feasibility and cultural fit when delivering FRIENDS in the urban school context. To address these challenges, we adapted FRIENDS for implementation in the school setting so that it might be more feasible and culturally appropriate for low-income, urban schools in the United States, while maintaining the core components of treatment. The current study uses a mixed-method approach to compare the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and perceived appropriateness of FRIENDS and CATS when delivered by Masters-level therapists with train-the-trainer support.Materials and methodsFirst, we compared change scores for student outcomes (i.e., child-report MASC-2 total score, parent-report MASC-2 total score, teacher-report Engagement and Disaffection subscale scores) from pre- to post- treatment between students receiving FRIENDS and students receiving CATS to assess whether the two conditions resulted in equivalent outcomes. Second, we compared the cost and cost-effectiveness between the groups. Finally, we used an applied thematic analysis to compare appropriateness of the interventions as perceived by therapists and supervisors.ResultsThe mean change score for the child-reported MASC-2 was 1.9 (SE = 1.72) points in the FRIENDS condition and 2.9 (SE = 1.73) points in the CATS condition; results indicated that the conditions were similar in their treatment effects, and symptom reductions were small in both groups. The modified protocol, CATS, was shown to cost significantly less to implement compared to FRIENDS and showed greater cost-effectiveness. Finally, compared to therapists and supervisors in the CATS condition, therapists and supervisors in the FRIENDS condition more strongly described aspects of the intervention that were not appropriate for their context and in need of more extensive adaptations.ConclusionRelatively brief, group CBT for anxiety, with adaptations to improve cultural fit, is a promising approach to treat youth anxiety symptom when delivered by school-based therapists with train-the-trainer implementation support.

Background The school is a key setting for the provision of mental health services to children, particularly those underserved through traditional service delivery systems. School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a tiered approach to service delivery based on the public health model that schools use to implement universal (Tier 1) supports to improve school climate and safety. As our prior research has demonstrated, PBIS is a useful vehicle for implementing mental and behavioral health evidence-based practices (EBPs) at Tier 2 for children with, or at risk for, mental health disorders. Very little research has been conducted regarding the use of mental health EBPs at Tier 2 or how to sustain implementation in schools. Methods/design The main aim of the study is to compare fidelity, penetration, cost-effectiveness, and student outcomes of Tier 2 mental health interventions across 2 sustainment approaches for school implementers in 12 K-8 schools. The study uses a 2-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial design. The two arms are: (a) Preparing for Sustainment (PS)—a consultation strategy implemented by school district coaches who receive support from external consultants, and (b) Sustainment as Usual (SAU)—a consultation strategy implemented by school district coaches alone. Participants will be 60 implementers and 360 students at risk for externalizing and anxiety disorders. The interventions implemented by school personnel are: Coping Power Program (CPP) for externalizing disorders, CBT for Anxiety Treatment in Schools (CATS) for anxiety disorders, and Check-in/Check-out (CICO) for externalizing and internalizing disorders. The Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) for Dissemination and Implementation guides the training and support procedures for implementers. Discussion We expect that this study will result in a feasible, effective, and cost-effective strategy for sustaining mental health EBPs that is embedded within a multi-tiered system of support. Results from this study conducted in a large urban school district would likely generalize to other large, urban districts and have an impact on population-level child mental health. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number NCT04869657. Registered May 3, 2021.

Background: Little is known about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of train-the-trainer (TT) implementation strategies in supporting mental health evidence-based practices (EBPs) in schools, and about the optimal level of support needed for TT strategies. TT implementation strategies have been found to be effective and are increasingly being employed in large mental health systems to address the growing need for mental health services. However, very little research has been conducted using TT implementation strategies in schools. Masters-level therapists providing services in school settings need effective and cost-effective implementation strategies and TT is a promising approach to meet student mental health needs. Methods: A type 2 hybrid cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing two TT implementation strategies (Train-the-Trainer [TT], and Train-the-Trainer + ongoing consultation for trainers [TT+]) on the delivery of a group cognitive behavioral treatment protocol for anxiety disorders in 22 urban schools. Participants were 33 therapists, 29 supervisors, and 125 students at risk for anxiety disorders. Implementation outcomes included implementation fidelity and treatment dosage. Student outcomes were child- and parent-reported symptoms of anxiety, child-reported symptoms of depression, and teacher-reported academic engagement. Results: There were no significant differences for implementation fidelity and treatment dosage between therapists in the TT and TT+ conditions. However, as predicted, therapists receiving both types of TT implemented the intervention with relatively high levels of implementation fidelity, and we could not be 95% confident that TT+ was cost-effective compared to TT. The cost of TT was lower than TT+ and still maintained relatively high levels of fidelity. A mixed effects modeling approach for student outcomes revealed time effects for symptoms of anxiety and depression reported by students, and emotional disaffection reported by teachers. Regardless of the TT condition, the time effects indicated an improvement from pre-treatment to post-treatment in symptoms of anxiety and depression and academic emotional engagement. There were no condition or condition x times effects. The average cost of therapist, supervisor, and consultant time required to implement the intervention in each condition were $1002 for TT and $1422 for TT+. The point estimate for the cost-effectiveness ratio indicated that TT+ increases costs by $82 per one point improvement in the content fidelity score. Conclusions: A TT implementation approach consisting of a thorough initial training workshop for therapists and supervisors as well as ongoing supervision for therapists was found to be effective for obtaining adequate levels of fidelity at a lower cost, compared to the TT+ condition that also included ongoing external expert consultation for supervisors. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02651402

Children in rural settings are less likely to receive mental health services than their urban and suburban counterparts and even less likely to receive evidence-based care. Rural schools could address the need for mental health interventions by using evidence-based practices within a tiered system of supports such as positive behavioral interventions and supports. However, very few school professionals, with or without mental health training, have received training on evidence-based practices. Rural schools need implementation strategies focused on training to prepare school personnel for the implementation of interventions with fidelity. Little is known about training strategies that are feasible and appropriate for the rural school context. User-centered design is an appropriate framework for the development of training strategies for professionals in rural schools because of its participatory approach and the development of products that fit the context where they are going to be used. The purpose of the study was to develop and assess components of an online training platform and implementation strategy based on the user-centered design. Quantitative and qualitative data from 25 participants from an equal number of schools in rural areas of Pennsylvania were used in the study. A mixed-methods design utilizing complementary descriptive statistics and theme analyses indicated that the training platform and implementation strategy were perceived as highly acceptable, appropriate, feasible and usable by school professionals. The resulting training platform and implementation strategy will fill a void in the training literature in rural schools.