Research

Our programs and processes make a difference to children and families. We conduct research to confirm that our programs address the unique needs of parents, children, and families. In addition, we contribute to the growing body of research focused on peer support, children’s mental health, and family-run organizations.

Sampling of Outcomes Measures that May be Appropriate for Parent Peer Specialist Program Outcomes

Those of us in the field know that Parent Peer Specialist Programs significantly impact families raising children with mental health challenges. We know it, and we can measure it. But selecting the right instrument for program assessment can be daunting. A robust menu of options is provided here. The reference sheet highlights a few elements of each instrument, providing a launch point for organizations as they maneuver through their decision-making process. The table includes information about arenas to consider when assessing the fit of the instrument to the organization. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, links and citations are provided for a more in-depth analysis by the nonprofit.

FREDLA/NTTAC Webinar Handout – PDF
October 2022

The Student and Curriculum-Related Needs of Special Education Instructors During the Pandemic

This study sought to examine changes in demands on teachers during the pandemic, by surveying certified Wisconsin instructors who taught students with mental health challenges. The research explored teacher perceptions, identified related student and parent focused issues, and outlined teacher identified supports that would be helpful to teachers, students, and parents.

2017 Annual Outcomes Assessment

The 2017 Wisconsin Family Ties Annual Outcomes Assessment, a modified version of the well-known Family Empowerment Scale (FES), was proctored to a stratified random sample of program. Findings indicated that parental empowerment increased over the course of one year, and that lives were positively impacted.

The study concluded that engagement in the Wisconsin Family Ties Parent Peer Specialist Program was related to an increase in parental empowerment and therefore improved outcomes for children.

Further, the reduction of children placed in an out-of-home residential or corrections setting as a result of Wisconsin Family Ties’ services has the potential to save taxpayers between $25,000 and $140,000 annually per child.

Finally, the reduction of children placed in an out-of-home state mental health institute setting as a result of Wisconsin Family Ties’ services has the potential to save taxpayers between $25,000 and $400,000 annually per child.

About Clinical Research

Clinical research studies are those in which individuals participate as patients or volunteers. Participation can result in access to the most advanced treatment available for mental and behavioral illnesses. Or simply, the gratification of assisting scientists in developing better ways to help people.

Research is our best hope for understanding and treating mental illnesses. Thanks to help from volunteers, medical researchers are learning more and more about the causes of mental and behavioral disorders, and are finding new ways to treat and prevent illnesses. Without this important relationship between research participants and those studying their illnesses, it would be much more difficult to improve health treatments.

Participate in Clinical Trials

Wisconsin Family Ties is a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partner. Learn more about the Outreach Program and find out how you can get involved in clinical trials.

National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partnership Program

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partnership Program – a nationwide initiative designed to increase the public’s access to science-based mental health information – supported 55 community mental health organizations to serve as NIMH Outreach Partners. These organizations, selected through a competitive process, disseminated NIMH research and educated the public about mental disorders and represented each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Over 75 national organizations also participated in the program as National Partners. The Outreach Partnership Program concluded in April 2020.