Current Visits

CANDLE is currently enrolling existing study participants in two different studies- ECHO and NIDA.

ECHO (Cycle 2): ECHO seeks to answer important childhood health questions that help understand how the environment and things that happen early in children’s lives—even before they are born—affect their development, health, and well-being. This is a seven-year study with 2025 being our second year! NIDA: The purpose of this study is to examine how risk factors in the life experiences of children are associated with adolescent substance misuse. The special focus of this study is whether these risk factors are different for black and white youth and how these differences may affect substance misuse. This is a three-year study, and we are currently enrolling participants for all three years (1-3)! Click below for more information about each visit.

• ECHO

  2025 Visit Procedures The ECHO study visit includes remote and in-person procedures. Remote portion: We will update your contact information and then send survey links, which both mom and child participants will be able to complete at their convenience. In-person portion: A CANDLE staff member will schedule a separate in-person visit to collect the child participants’ testing, measurements, and biospecimens.   Please see below for a brief outline of what you can expect at the 2025 visit: Surveys Physical measurements for child Blood and urine samples from child (if they agree) Cognitive testing (brain games) for child Spirometry for child (measures the function of the lungs) Compensation up to $300 per family! In-person visits will be about 1-2 hours depending on completion of remote surveys. For more information on ECHO’s research focus please visit: https://echochildren.org/

  CANDLE staff performing height measurement.

  CANDLE staff performing waist circumference measurement.

• NIDA

  2025 Visit Procedures NIDA study visits can be conducted either remotely or in person, with each visit taking place ten months to one year apart. The first visit (conducted in-person or online) includes survey questionnaires for both the mother and child participants. If the visit is in-person, cognitive testing for the child participant will also be conducted. The second and third visits (conducted completely remotely) include survey questionnaires for both the mother and child participants. Upon completion of the surveys, families can receive compensation of up to $200 in gift cards! Questionnaires will focus on the following areas: Age, race, sex, gender, language, household information, and jobs Mental health – including anxiety and depression Things that may cause stress in your or your child’s life Relationships with your child, family, and friends Your family’s feelings and rules about drug or alcohol use Adolescents will not be asked to report on your family’s use of drugs or alcohol