Integrated Behavioral Health
Research Projects

Research Projects

The Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) research program is dedicated to advancing innovative approaches that improve the health and well-being of children and families. Our research, seamlessly integrated into pediatric primary care practices, centers on evaluating innovative prevention interventions, including IBH-Prevention, which is designed to prevent and address emotional and behavioral health disorders, and THRIVE, a responsive parenting obesity prevention intervention. Additionally, our work includes the evaluation and expansion of our IBH prevention model into community primary care settings, aiming to extend the reach of high-quality, integrated services.  We are also pioneering a brief home-visiting intervention in collaboration with Every Child Succeeds, designed to extend integrated preventive services into families' homes.

Guided by our commitment to a two-generation model of care, we prioritize the interconnected well-being of children and their caregivers. In line with this approach, we are also evaluating the impact of Moving Beyond Depression, a program designed to treat maternal postpartum depression and promote family health and harmony. Through these research efforts, we strive to refine and enhance our program, ensuring equitable access to transformative care that supports lifelong health and happiness for children and their families.

Current Projects

A Novel Obesity Prevention Program for High-Risk Infants in Primary Care

Project Period: 2023-2026
Funding: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - R01DK135497-01
PI: Tiffany Rybak, PhD

Advancing Early Childhood Obesity Intervention: Creating a Robust Measure of Child and Caregiver Eating and Feeding Behaviors

Project Period: 2024-2026
Funding: Cincinnati Children's Place Outcomes Research Award
PIs: Tiffany Rybak, PhD and Constance Mara, PhD

Every Child Succeeds Expansion: Linkage to Primary Care

Project Period: 2023-2025
Funding: Cincinnati Children's Convalescent Hospital Fund
PIs: Jennifer Frey, PhD, BCBA-D and Robert T. Ammerman, PhD, ABPP

Past Projects

Integrated Behavioral Health Prevention in Pediatric Primary Care: Improving Self-Regulation and Outcomes for Infants and Parents

Project Period: 2021-2023
Funding: Cincinnati Children's Place Outcomes Research Award
PI: Robert T. Ammerman, PhD, ABPP

Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Project

Project Period: 2019-2021
Funding: Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program (MEDTAPP), Ohio Department of Medicaid
PI: Robert T. Ammerman, PhD, ABPP