Head Start Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment PracticesHeadStartREACHNCT06670664
Head Start REACH: Strengthening Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Approaches with Families.
An observational study of Head Start Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices, run by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc..
Trial summary
Mathematica, funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will conduct a one-time mixed-methods study to improve understanding about Head Start programs' practices for recruitment, selection… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Head Start Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices
- How many people
- 900 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Nov 2024to 24 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Head Start program directors; Head Start staff involved in implementing recruitment, selection, and enrollment activities; staff in community organizations with which the Head Start program partners to serve families eligible for Head Start; families who are enrolled in Head Start programs.
Who may be able to join
- Program director at Head Start program
- ERSEA staff members at Head Start program
- Staff at community partner organizations that work with Head Start program
- Families enrolled in Head Start program
Who cannot join
- Does not meet the inclusion criteria
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet.
About this study
Official title: Head Start REACH: Strengthening Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Approaches with Families
Mathematica, funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will conduct a one-time mixed-methods study to improve understanding about Head Start programs' practices for recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families experiencing adversities. Using data gathered from surveys and focus groups, this study aims to provide in-depth contextual information about recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and experiences; identify promising practices; and inform training and technical assistance (T/TA) regarding recruitment, selection, and enrollment challenges and needs.
Data collection will occur in fall 2024. The study team will field surveys with Head Start staff from up to 60 Head Start programs; parents/caregivers from those 60 programs, and staff from up to 180 community partner organizations that work with those 60 Head Start programs. We will also conduct focus groups with the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) lead staff from some of the programs.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to expand understanding of how Head Start programs implement, recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and how such practices reflect their community contexts. Using survey data collected from Head Start staff, enrolled families, and community partner organizations, the study aims to provide in-depth contextual information about Head Start programs' recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and experiences; identify promising practices; and inform T/TA regarding recruitment, selection, and enrollment challenges and needs. Ultimately, this study seeks to share information with the wider field about promising practices to improve the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families, including those experiencing adversities. The study will supplement the survey data with qualitative data collected through focus groups with Head Start ERSEA lead staff.
The investigators propose the following data collection activities, to be carried out in fall 2024:
- A program director web survey: To obtain information about staff to guide the selection of ERSEA lead staff and community partners for the ERSEA lead staff survey and community partner organization staff survey. To obtain information about the characteristics of the families in the program and community, and program's enrollment numbers.
- An ERSEA lead staff web survey: To obtain information to understand a program's use, perceived effectiveness of, and challenges with recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices; identify promising practices for replication.
- A community partner web survey: To obtain information to understand how community partner organization staff support the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families into Head Start programs.
- A parent/caregiver survey that can be completed on paper or via the web: Obtain information about characteristics of families enrolled in Head Start and understand their reasons for choosing Head Start, as well as their experiences with and perceptions of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
- A semi-structured focus group guide for ERSEA lead staff: Obtain information to understand the perceived effectiveness of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices; understand promising practices for replication.
- Being tested
- No intervention
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
No interventionOther
No intervention. This is a single-group study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Head Start Program | Recruited Head Start program and its program director, a staff member in charge of recruitment, selection, and enrollment, and community partners who help support those efforts, and parents/caregivers of students enrolled in one classroom. Receives: Other: No intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Head Start Program Directors Survey - Program characteristics of the purposive sample
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on Head Start program characteristics and the characteristics of the families the program serves. Will also collect roles and contact information for ERSEA lead staff members and staff members from community partner organizations so these respondents can be invited to complete their respective surveys. Conduct descriptive analysis of survey data to report program and community characteristics.
Measured: 1 month
ERSEA Lead Staff Survey on Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices of purposive sample of programs
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on respondent and Head Start program background characteristics; staffing and staff training related to recruitment, selection, and enrollment; development and use of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices. Study will use the data to measure and report on program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices in the community.
Measured: 1 month
Community Partner Organization Staff Survey on Partnerships with purposive sample of Head Start programs
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on the community partner organization characteristics; its partnership and communication with Head Start; and activities and training for connecting eligible families to Head Start. Study will use the data to measure and report on how community partners support Head Start recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
Measured: 1 month
Head Start Parent/Caregiver Survey on Head Start Recruitment and Enrollment Experiences with purposive sample of Head Start programs
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on family background and demographics as well as family experience with recruitment into Head Start; their experience with the waitlist; their experience enrolling into Head Start; and their overall experience with Head Start program supports and services. Study will use the data to measure and report on families' experiences with program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
Measured: 1 month
Focus Group Guide for Convenience Sample of ERSEA Lead Staff on Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices from purposive sample of Head Start programs
Study-developed qualitative protocol will collect data on ERSEA lead staff experience with developing and using recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and which practices they found to be successful with families experiencing adversities. Study will use the data to measure and report on contextual information related to program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices in the community.
Measured: 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Nov 2024
- Study startNov 2024 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jan 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion24 Sep 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Head Start Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment PracticesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 900 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Department of Health and Human Services, Brazelton Touchpoints Center
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Louisa Tarullo, EdD, Principal investigator, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06670664
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HeadStartREACH2
- Acronym
- HeadStartREACH
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 31 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 1 Nov 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified data from the study's four surveys will be transmitted to the Child \& Family Data Archive or a similar data archive as restricted use data files at the end of the study so it can be used by other researchers. The de-identified datasets will only include data related to study objectives and outcomes.
Publications
Baxter, C, N. Aikens, L. Tarullo, C. Ayoub, J. Roberts, C. Mondi-Rago, and M. I. Gaither. "Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Retention Strategies with Head Start-Eligible Families Experiencing Adversity: A Review of the Literature." OPRE Report #2022-97. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022.
Shah, H, T. Shenbanjo, C. Lauver, K. St. Kitts, N. Aikens, and L. Tarullo. "Strengthening Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Approaches with Families: The Head Start REACH Case Study Report." OPRE Report #2023-132. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.
Shah, H., and L. Tarullo. "Reaching and Supporting Families Most in Need: Lessons and Practice Considerations from the Head Start REACH Case Studies." OPRE Report #2023-295. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Nov 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Head Start REACH: Strengthening Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Approaches with Families
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06670664
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HeadStartREACH / HeadStartREACH2
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 900 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Department of Health and Human Services, Brazelton Touchpoints Center
- Study start
- Nov 2024 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 24 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Mathematica, funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will conduct a one-time mixed-methods study to improve understanding about Head Start programs' practices for recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families experiencing adversities. Using data gathered from surveys and focus groups, this study aims to provide in-depth contextual information about recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and experiences; identify promising practices; and inform training and technical assistance (T/TA) regarding recruitment, selection, and enrollment challenges and needs.
Data collection will occur in fall 2024. The study team will field surveys with Head Start staff from up to 60 Head Start programs; parents/caregivers from those 60 programs, and staff from up to 180 community partner organizations that work with those 60 Head Start programs. We will also conduct focus groups with the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) lead staff from some of the programs.
Detailed description
The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to expand understanding of how Head Start programs implement, recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and how such practices reflect their community contexts. Using survey data collected from Head Start staff, enrolled families, and community partner organizations, the study aims to provide in-depth contextual information about Head Start programs' recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and experiences; identify promising practices; and inform T/TA regarding recruitment, selection, and enrollment challenges and needs. Ultimately, this study seeks to share information with the wider field about promising practices to improve the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families, including those experiencing adversities. The study will supplement the survey data with qualitative data collected through focus groups with Head Start ERSEA lead staff.
The investigators propose the following data collection activities, to be carried out in fall 2024:
- A program director web survey: To obtain information about staff to guide the selection of ERSEA lead staff and community partners for the ERSEA lead staff survey and community partner organization staff survey. To obtain information about the characteristics of the families in the program and community, and program's enrollment numbers.
- An ERSEA lead staff web survey: To obtain information to understand a program's use, perceived effectiveness of, and challenges with recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices; identify promising practices for replication.
- A community partner web survey: To obtain information to understand how community partner organization staff support the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of families into Head Start programs.
- A parent/caregiver survey that can be completed on paper or via the web: Obtain information about characteristics of families enrolled in Head Start and understand their reasons for choosing Head Start, as well as their experiences with and perceptions of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
- A semi-structured focus group guide for ERSEA lead staff: Obtain information to understand the perceived effectiveness of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices; understand promising practices for replication.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Head Start Program | – | Other: No interventionRecruited Head Start program and its program director, a staff member in charge of recruitment, selection, and enrollment, and community partners who help support those efforts, and parents/caregivers of students enrolled in one classroom. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Head Start program directors; Head Start staff involved in implementing recruitment, selection, and enrollment activities; staff in community organizations with which the Head Start program partners to serve families eligible for Head Start; families who are enrolled in Head Start programs.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Program director at Head Start program
- ERSEA staff members at Head Start program
- Staff at community partner organizations that work with Head Start program
- Families enrolled in Head Start program
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Does not meet the inclusion criteria
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| No interventionNo intervention. This is a single-group study. | Other | Head Start Program |
Primary outcome
Head Start Program Directors Survey - Program characteristics of the purposive sample
Time frame: 1 month
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on Head Start program characteristics and the characteristics of the families the program serves. Will also collect roles and contact information for ERSEA lead staff members and staff members from community partner organizations so these respondents can be invited to complete their respective surveys. Conduct descriptive analysis of survey data to report program and community characteristics.
ERSEA Lead Staff Survey on Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices of purposive sample of programs
Time frame: 1 month
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on respondent and Head Start program background characteristics; staffing and staff training related to recruitment, selection, and enrollment; development and use of recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices. Study will use the data to measure and report on program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices in the community.
Community Partner Organization Staff Survey on Partnerships with purposive sample of Head Start programs
Time frame: 1 month
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on the community partner organization characteristics; its partnership and communication with Head Start; and activities and training for connecting eligible families to Head Start. Study will use the data to measure and report on how community partners support Head Start recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
Head Start Parent/Caregiver Survey on Head Start Recruitment and Enrollment Experiences with purposive sample of Head Start programs
Time frame: 1 month
Study-developed survey instrument will collect data on family background and demographics as well as family experience with recruitment into Head Start; their experience with the waitlist; their experience enrolling into Head Start; and their overall experience with Head Start program supports and services. Study will use the data to measure and report on families' experiences with program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices.
Focus Group Guide for Convenience Sample of ERSEA Lead Staff on Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices from purposive sample of Head Start programs
Time frame: 1 month
Study-developed qualitative protocol will collect data on ERSEA lead staff experience with developing and using recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices and which practices they found to be successful with families experiencing adversities. Study will use the data to measure and report on contextual information related to program recruitment, selection, and enrollment practices in the community.
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Nov 2024.
- BackgroundBaxter, C, N. Aikens, L. Tarullo, C. Ayoub, J. Roberts, C. Mondi-Rago, and M. I. Gaither. "Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Retention Strategies with Head Start-Eligible Families Experiencing Adversity: A Review of the Literature." OPRE Report #2022-97. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022.
- BackgroundShah, H, T. Shenbanjo, C. Lauver, K. St. Kitts, N. Aikens, and L. Tarullo. "Strengthening Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Approaches with Families: The Head Start REACH Case Study Report." OPRE Report #2023-132. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.
- BackgroundShah, H., and L. Tarullo. "Reaching and Supporting Families Most in Need: Lessons and Practice Considerations from the Head Start REACH Case Studies." OPRE Report #2023-295. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified data from the study's four surveys will be transmitted to the Child \& Family Data Archive or a similar data archive as restricted use data files at the end of the study so it can be used by other researchers. The de-identified datasets will only include data related to study objectives and outcomes.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Louisa Tarullo, EdD principal investigator
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Head Start Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment Practices, run by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc..
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Nov 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Louisa Tarullo, EdD (617-588-6720, ltarullo@mathematica-mpr.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Head Start Program Directors Survey - Program characteristics of the purposive sample (time frame: 1 month). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06670664, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Nov 2024.