Oversight of National Children’s Study shifting away from USU

Utah State University’s oversight of the National Children’s Study – Cache County is moving to the care of Westat, an international research organization, as the study continues into the future.

“Cache County is one of the top performers in the National Children’s Study, due in large part to the commitment and enthusiasm for the study by study participants, community members and dedicated staff,” said Dr. Vonda Jump, co-investigator of the National Children’s Study – Cache County. Since December 2010, the site enrolled over 750 participants, beginning data collection in homes and over the telephone from the preconception or prenatal period through milestones in their child’s development.

“We would like to thank all of the participants of the National Children’s Study in Cache County,” said Dr. Mark Innocenti, principal investigator of the National Children’s Study-Cache County. “Our community participants have been instrumental to our success and their involvement will continue to be important as the National Children’s Study continues its research for the next 21 years.”

Dr. Innocenti urges all participants to continue with Westat so that vital information may continue to be gathered. Several staff members are making the transition from USU to Westat so familiar faces will still be at the door or on the phone when a child reaches age milestones.

Westat is a research firm with a long history of conducting scientific studies and has provided research support at both local and national levels for the National Children’s Study for several years.

Nationally, the National Children’s Study is moving oversight of the data collected during the pilot phase of the study from individual contractors to four Regional Operation Centers, reducing the overall study costs and allowing the research to continue for the full 21 years. The centers will manage and collect data for all study locations in their region.

Westat will fully manage the pilot study as of March 31 and will work closely with Utah State and all our study participants to ensure a smooth transition. Future enrollment in the National Children’s Study is planned for 2014 and recruitment will be enhanced by the lessons learned by the team at Utah State University. If you have questions, call 1-888-812-1170.

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