Feasibility of engaging child welfare-involved parents with substance use disorders in research: key challenges and lessons learned

Figures & data

Table 1. Key challenges and strategies in participant recruitment, engagement, and data collection for the Ohio START family survey.

Key Challenges	Strategies
Community Partner Level (child welfare agencies, caseworkers)
Gaining buy-in from child welfare agencies	Clearly communicated the purpose of the study and its practice implications for child welfare-involved families Emphasized the essential role of child welfare agencies in successfully conducting the study Shared preliminary study results with child welfare agencies through presentations and infographics at Ohio START consortium meetings
Identification of eligible participants through collaboration with caseworkers (a low response rate from caseworkers)	Weekly e-mails sent to remind caseworkers to provide participant contact information Escalated to START Technical Assistance (TA) consultants to remind caseworkers
Study Participant Level (Child welfare-involved parents with SUDs)
Apprehension to participate in research	Thorough verbal informed consent process Assurance in confidentiality protocols RAs used person-centered approaches to break perceived power barriers
Multiple contact attempts were needed to reach participants	Persistent recruitment efforts coordinated by a team of RAs Flexible RA schedules that allowed for contact at various times including weekdays, weeknights, and weekends Phone calls were immediately followed by personalized voicemails and text messages
Phone numbers out of service, incorrect phone numbers	Engaged caseworkers in the study process to update phone numbers or provide alternative contact information
Poor service reception, lack of phone minutes or limited data plans	Landline phone numbers were used to increase connective capacity Phone minutes were offered to each potential participant immediately prior to telephone surveys
Persistent ‘no shows’ on scheduled telephone surveys	Personalized follow-up text messaging and voicemails Empathy and understanding by research personnel facilitated rescheduling and ultimate completion of telephone surveys
Participants’ entry into rehabilitation services or prison	Meticulous documentation using participant tracking sheets

Notes. RA = research assistant; SUD = substance use disorder.