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Changing Developmental Trajectories through Early Executive Function Intervention in Early Childhood Education

Award Number: R01MH144622
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/05/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2029

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Changing Developmental Trajectories through Early Executive Function Intervention in Early Childhood Education - PROJECT ABSTRACT There is a paucity of interventions targeted to changing developmental trajectories for young children with disabilities. As we face a continuing youth mental health crisis (currently estimated to affect 13% of youth, with a 35% increase between 2016-2023), there is an urgent need for evidence-based, early intervention that can address skill deficits and improve outcomes. Executive function has been identified as a transdiagnostic, underlying driver of mental health outcomes, and deficits are present across childhood disabilities. Executive function deficits in early childhood predict later aggression, anxiety, and mood challenges, as well as emotional, academic, and adaptive functioning in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. Children with disabilities and associated early executive function challenges are at elevated risk for preschool expulsion and a subsequent cascade of poor mental health and academic outcomes. Universal (Tier 1) programs for early childhood executive functioning have mixed outcomes and do not adequately meet the needs of children with disabilities and identified challenges with executive function. This project proposes to test a novel executive function intervention, Unstuck and On Target for Early Childhood (Unstuck-EC), compared to a services-as-usual control, implemented by preschool classroom teachers of children with disabilities, as the first Tier 2 (selective) executive function intervention for young children. Unstuck-EC is adapted from the evidence-based Unstuck and On Target: 8-11, which is designed to be implemented in schools as a Tier 2 intervention for executive function challenges in neurodivergent youth. Unstuck-EC has been developed with input from early childhood providers and shown promise of efficacy in a preliminary development trial, when implemented by behavioral and development specialists. Grounded in the PRISM framework, we will collaborate with an advisory board to adapt Unstuck-EC for implementation by preschool teachers. We will partner with local public preschools to conduct a hybrid (Type 1) effectiveness-implementation trial (N=100 Unstuck-EC, N=60 Services as Usual Control), over the course of two school years. We predict that children in Unstuck-EC will show gains in executive function, and teachers will show improved knowledge and use of executive-function supporting strategies. We will also explore potential improvements in child mental health and expulsion risk, as well as in teacher strain and self-efficacy. Finally, we will assess factors related to reach, adoption, and implementation of Unstuck-EC, preparing for a future, larger randomized comparative effectiveness trial.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $479,144 )
2026	2026	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	8/5/2026	NEW	$479,144
														Subtotal = $479,144

Grand Total All Awards = $479,144

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Changing Developmental Trajectories through Early Executive Function Intervention in Early Childhood Education

Award Number: R01MH144622

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/05/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2029

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