Primary Connections for Youth and Families

Screening and brief intervention (SBI) is widely endorsed but rarely used in primary care settings, its effectiveness is limited, and questions remain about optimal SBI procedures. Though research supports involving families in interventions for adolescent substance use, studies testing SBI procedures that actively engage families are lacking. This study will compare two SBI approaches: a standard, adolescent-only approach (SBI-Standard) versus a more expansive, family-based approach (SBI-Family). Study results will inform clinical practice about whether and how to include families in SBI for adolescents in primary care.

Who
The study will enroll English and Spanish speaking adolescents aged 12-17 years and their caregivers attending primary care visits at one of our partner sites:

New York
Charles B. Rangel Community Health Center
534 West 135th Street, New York, NY 10031

Audubon Primary Care Practice
21 Audubon Avenue, New York, NY 10032

Massachusetts
Boston Medical Center
801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02119

Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
55 Fruit Street, Suite 6D, Boston, MA 02114

We are here for you and anyone else playing a supportive role in the life of a young person struggling with drug or alcohol use. Talk to our trained specialists by phone, email, or text, join one of our online support groups, and receive information and resources via text. Visit our Get Support page to learn about more about these services.

There are numerous facilities that offers a full range of targeted and integrated services for youth and families in need of mental health and substance treatment resources. Download a list of resources and facilities in Boston and New York City.