Dr. Bryce McLeod Receives $1.84M NIMH Grant to Strengthen Youth Mental Health Services

December 15, 2024

The Clark-Hill Institute is proud to highlight the achievement of Dr. Bryce McLeod, professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and affiliated faculty member of the Institute, who has received a $1.84 million federal grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. The grant, awarded in partnership with Dr. Amanda Jensen-Doss of the University of Miami, will fund a four-year project titled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Measurement-Based Care for Youth by Identifying Key Fidelity Indicators.”

As a Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI), Dr. McLeod will lead efforts to improve the implementation of Measurement-Based Care (MBC), an evidence-based approach that uses ongoing assessment to guide treatment for youth with mental health concerns. While MBC has demonstrated promise in improving outcomes, its inconsistent application in community settings has limited its full impact. This project aims to identify the most essential components—or fidelity indicators—of MBC that are directly linked to positive youth outcomes.

Dr. McLeod is a clinical psychologist with expertise in implementation science, evidence-based assessment, and the development of fidelity measurement tools. His work focuses on ensuring that youth receive high-quality, effective care in everyday practice settings. By pinpointing which elements of MBC are most critical for success, this research will support more targeted training, supervision, and policy initiatives to improve mental health care delivery for youth across the country.

This grant reflects the Clark-Hill Institute’s commitment to advancing science that supports equitable, accessible, and effective mental health services for children and adolescents. We congratulate Dr. McLeod on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to the real-world impact of this innovative research.

Read the VCU News story here!