Clinical Research Directory

Passive texting programs where participants receive free text messages on topics such as child development and parenting tips three times per week. Text4Baby serves parents of children under one year. Bright by Text serves parents of children under eight years of age.

Nurture Program is a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy development in young children by pairing moms with experienced and knowledgeable mentors who use text messaging to answer questions and provide helpful information, while offering support and encouragement throughout the child's first few years of life.

The Video Interaction Project is a program to support parents and their young children. Video Interaction Project is typically offered at a convenient location, such as a pediatric clinic. Parents are observed and videotaped for 3 to 5 minutes while interaction with their child. The Video Interaction Project coach then watches the video with the parent and talks about their interaction, highlighting how best to support the child's growth and language development.

The Family Check-Up is brief, taking place over the course of three sessions, each about an hour long. A Family Check-Up family coach will spend time getting to know the family during an "Initial Interview." Second, parents complete questionnaires that assess child and family adjustment, relationships, and other areas that influence children and families. The assessment includes videotaped family interaction tasks, where parents take part in activities with their child like playing together with toys and puzzles. Third, the Feedback session consists of sharing feedback - including strengths and challenges - about child and family well-being based on survey responses and video clips. Parents are invited to set goals for their family to support and maintain strengths and address areas of concern. Parents are paid 25 dollars after the Feedback Session. Parents have the option to continue meeting with the family coach to support the child's development and improve parental well-being.

Smart Beginnings consists of delivering both Video Interaction Project and the Family Check-up packed together as a single intensive intervention.

As part of Healthy Families America, professionally trained Nurse Home Visitors provide information during weekly home visits so that parents can provide the best for your new baby. Topics addressed are ways to keep the baby safe, how to take care of the baby, and activities parents can enjoy with their babies.

There are 27 Family Centers across Allegheny County provide services to families of young children 5 and under. These centers focus on three primary activities: 1. enhancing child development; 2. facilitating parent education, and 3. ensuring parents are supported and connected.