Timeline: December 2025 – December 2027

Aim:  The Communities That Care Youth Survey (CTC-YS) measures key risk and protective factors linked to outcomes such as substance use, violence, and antisocial behaviour among young people. This study will adapt the survey to the Irish context. The survey examines influences across the socioecological spectrum, including individual and peer, family, school, and community levels. Findings from the CTC-YS are then used to guide the development of evidence-informed, community-led prevention strategies targeting these outcomes.

The study is carried out in collaboration with the Substance Use Regional Forum (SURF) and Foroige, funded by SURF.

The pilot takes a mixed methods approach in two parts.

Part 1 will culturally adapt the CTC-YS through focus group discussions (FGDs) with students. The adapted survey will then be piloted and validated in Part 2 with students between 12 and 18 years old in Co. Kildare, Ireland. In Part 2 the students will complete the 50 minute CTC-YS survey in a classroom setting to pilot test and validate the survey. We will assess the feasibility of implementing the survey and generate assessment reports on top-priority risk and protective factors based on an individual community profile.

PI: Katy Tobin

Researchers: Catherine O’Donoghue, Salam Jabbour

Timeline: September 2025-September 2028

This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the novel Prevention Lab model within urban regions. It will examine the strengths and limitations of the Prevention Lab components to support quality improvement and enhance engagement among students, parents, and school staff. The study will generate recommendations to strengthen implementation fidelity, improve collaboration, enhance school policies, and support evaluation processes. Findings will inform the development of an implementation manual and guide sustainable delivery of evidence-based prevention in schools, improving confidence, competence, and communication among all stakeholders involved in promoting adolescent health and wellbeing. Funded by the Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

Co-PI: Katy Tobin and Peter Kelly (School of Nursing and Midwifery)

PI and team members:  Noel McCarthy, Therese McGlacken

Timeline: May 2026 -Sept 2026

Collaborators:  Fiona Cianci (Health Service Executive), Anne Pardy (Health Service Executive), Eleanor McNamara (Trinity College Dublin)

Funding: HSE

Objective: Evidence based identification of information to expand the age range coverage of mychild.ie.

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Keywords: Child health information