About

the SKIP for PA Project

About SKIP for PA

Services for Kids in Primary Care (SKIP for PA) is a treatment research project that aims to improve children’s early behavioral health by advancing knowledge about the strategies needed to deliver an evidence-based treatment called Doctor Office Collaborative Care (DOCC) in pediatric primary care practices. The study is conducted by the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Drexel University and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP). The study will recruit provider and patient participants from 24 pediatric practices across Pennsylvania.

What is "Doctor Office Collaborative Care" (DOCC)?

DOCC is a team-based approach to delivering behavioral health treatment in the pediatric primary care setting. DOCC is designed for caregivers and children (ages 5-12 years) who experience behavior problems (e.g., not following rules, arguing) and may also have problems with attention or hyperactivity. Families receiving DOCC services will attend regularly-scheduled treatment sessions with the behavioral health care manager or another trained provider at their child’s pediatric practice. Sessions will focus primarily on teaching skills/strategies to help caregivers and children recognize, understand, and change problem behaviors so children can be more successful at home and at school.

What is Involved?

Eligible families who enroll in the study will receive DOCC services through their child’s primary care office (one of 24 participating offices across Pennsylvania), either in-person or online. Services are designed to be brief and completed in 6 months or less. DOCC sessions may vary in length and frequency, based on families’ needs and schedules. Some sessions are just for the caregiver, some are just for the child, and some are for both.

Enrolled caregivers will also complete research assessments at 4 times over the course of 1 year: the beginning of services, 3 months later, 6 months later, and 12 months later. These assessments typically take less than an hour to complete. Compensation is provided for each assessment.

Am I Eligible?

In order to participate in the study, you must:

  • Have a child age 5-12 years old who exhibits behavior problems, (for example, not following rules, arguing)
  • Have parental rights for this child
  • Be at least 18 years of age

If you are interested in participating, please talk to your primary care provider. They will be able to direct you to an online screen to learn if you are eligible.