Transformation of Mental Health Care Program Grant

The Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation's 'Transformation of Mental Health Care Program' seeks innovative research into improving mental health care access for children and adolescents, particularly from under-resourced backgrounds. Applications are invited for studies that build on promising pilot work, focusing on scalable delivery models and technology use. Eligible applicants are academic researchers based in the U.S. who can demonstrate rigorous research capabilities. The foundation plans to award up to two grants of $100,000 each year for two years.

Background
Since 1998, the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation (KTGF) has awarded post-doctoral fellowships for innovative scientific research that improves our understanding of the causes, prevention, and treatment of depression and ADHD in children. Since 2002, the Foundation has funded programs at select medical schools to bolster medical students’ knowledge and interest in mental health and build the pipeline of psychiatrists.
In 2015, the Foundation initiated the “Transformation of Mental Health Care,” a program focused on improving access to high quality mental health care for children and adolescents, especially those from low-income families and under-resourced communities, or other marginalized populations that may have limited supports and resources. This includes families that come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and families that live in poverty. This program was prompted by recognition by KTGF Board members, based in part on their personal experiences, that it is often difficult for parents to access high-quality care when confronted with the challenging and often complex mental health needs of their children.
Goal of the Program
We are soliciting applications for academic investigators conducting research to demonstrate the benefits of novel ways to access or deliver mental health care or prevention approaches that can be implemented at scale. This application is specifically for high quality research that builds upon promising pilot work and will lead to a larger demonstration project. Requests for service projects and applications that primarily focus on expanding services or measuring quality within an organization will not be reviewed.
In particular, Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation is interested in improving access to high quality mental health care and prevention for children and adolescents through the use of novel models or promising approaches leveraging the latest science from mental health services research and implementation science. This includes (but is not exhaustive):
Testing new models of care delivery (e.g., shifting delivery of clinical care tasks to non-traditional personnel such as outreach or community mental health workers) Adapting and testing approaches to deliver care in atypical settings (e.g., primary care, schools, home, emergency rooms, or other novel settings) Testing scalable digital approaches (e.g., through use of technology including internet-based engagement, apps for cell phones) Approaches that help parents access care for their children (e.g., peer advocates).
The primary outcomes of the project include improved access and/or reduced time to service delivery, or implementation outcomes such as stakeholder involvement, acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity. Primary outcomes should demonstrate that the project is being designed for scalability. Secondary outcomes include clinical or functional outcomes that are likely to improve when access to care is enhanced, such as decreased symptoms, burdens and maladaptive behaviors associated with mental health problems; improved educational, relational and health outcomes; or enhanced youth and family functioning.

Eligibility

Academic researchers from universities, research institutions, health systems or other settings that are positioned to provide rigorous high-quality research focused on transforming mental and behavioral health care that improves outcomes for children and adolescents are eligible.Investigators must reside within institutions based in the United States, where all research on the project will be completed.Investigators can be at any stage in their career but must have collected enough pilot data to inform the development of the proposed research project and must be well enough established to lead an effort such as this.For investigators who are early in their career, we strongly recommend mentoring from a more senior academic researcher who has expertise in program development and dissemination. Co-applicants / principal investigators are allowed if they reside at the same institution.The foundation expects to make up to two grant awards. Each award will be in the amount of $100,000 per year over a two-year period, for a total of $200,000 per grant.Payment of the second year of funding is contingent on sufficient progress during the first year of the grant.

Ineligibility

Applicants cannot apply for both a KTGF Fellowship grant and a Transformation of Mental Health Care grant in the same year.