Kate Guastaferro

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Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Co-Director of the Center for the Advancement and Dissemination of Intervention Optimization

Director of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program

Kate Guastaferro, PhD is an intervention scientist by training, her work is devoted to the development, optimization, implementation and evaluation of effective, efficient, affordable and scalable interventions with high public health impact. She is an expert in the multiphase optimization (MOST) strategy and her expertise is in parent-focused, multicomponent behavioral interventions to prevent child maltreatment. Dr. Guastaferro co-led a statewide trial focused on the coordinated implementation of three evidence-base child sexual abuse prevention programs; included in this trial was the parent-focused child sexual abuse program that she developed, piloted and evaluated. Her current work is focused on the integration of intervention optimization into the prevention of child maltreatment.

Prior to joining NYU, Dr. Guastaferro was an assistant research professor in human development and family studies at the Pennsylvania State University, and an affiliate of its Prevention Research Center and Child Maltreatment Solutions Network. In 2020, she was awarded the Victoria S. Levin Award for Early Career Success in Young Children’s Mental Health Research from the Society for Research in Child Development. She has been published in Child Maltreatment, Translational Behavioral Medicine, and the American Journal of Public Health.

Dr. Guastaferro received her PhD and MPH from Georgia State University’s School of Public Health, and her BA in anthropology from Boston University. She also completed a year of postdoctoral training at the Pennsylvania State University.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow, Prevention and Methodology Training Program (T32 DA017629), The Pennsylvania State University

PhD Public Health, Georgia State University

MPH Health Promotion, Georgia State University

BA Anthropology, Boston University

Honors and awards

Victoria S. Levin Award, Society for Research on Child Development (2020)

NIH Loan Repayment Program Award: Toward the Optimization of Behavioral Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment (201820192020)

Public Health Achievement Award, Georgia State University (2016)

Scarlet Key Honor Society, Boston University (2008)

Publications

Cultural and Family Influences on Parents’ Child Sexual Abuse-Related Awareness and Protective Behaviors.

Enhancing Assessment of Child Maltreatment Risk in Research: Integrating Measures of Food Insecurity.

Family structure and children's risk of child protective services re-reports

Firearm screening and secure storage counseling among home visiting providers : a cross-sectional study of SafeCare® providers in the U.S.

Osborne, M. C., Guastaferro, K., Banks, S., Vedantam, H., & Self-Brown, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Frontiers in Public Health

Volume

10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324656

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Firearms used in pediatric firearm deaths are most often obtained from the child’s home, making secure firearm storage initiatives imperative in prevention efforts. Evidence-based home visiting (EBHV) programs are implemented with over 277,000 families annually, providing an opportunity for secure firearm storage counseling. The purpose of this study was to assess EBHV providers’ experiences with firearm screening (“assessment”), secure storage counseling, and their perceptions for related training needs. Methods: Providers in the U.S. from SafeCare®, an EBHV program often implemented with families experiencing increased risk of child neglect and physical or emotional abuse, were invited to participate in a survey to examine firearm assessment and attitudes toward and experiences with firearm safety counseling. Survey items were primarily Likert scale ratings to indicate level of agreement, with some open-ended follow-up questions. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequencies and percentages) were used to report item-level agreement. A post hoc analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation to examine the association between assessment and counseling and provider-level factors. Results: Sixty-three SafeCare providers consented to and completed the survey items. Almost three-quarters (74.6%) agreed/strongly agreed that they assess in-home firearm availability. However, 66.7% agreed/strongly agreed that they have not been adequately trained to discuss firearm safety topics. A substantial proportion (80.6%) indicated they would counsel more if materials and training on this topic were available. Response variability emerged by level of urbanicity. A post hoc analysis found that providers’ self-reported frequency of assessment and counseling were associated with their comfort level discussing firearm safety and whether or not they had worked with families impacted by firearm injury. Conclusion: SafeCare providers report a need for materials and training on secure firearm storage, and a willingness to provide more counseling with proper training to the families they serve. Findings illuminate the need for secure storage initiatives for EBHV programs, which have broad service reach to a substantial number of at-risk U.S. families annually.

Firearm screening and secure storage counseling among home visiting providers: A cross-sectional survey of SafeCare® providers in the U.S.

HIV Prevention in Foster Care Youth: Time for a Refocus

Adrian, C., Shipe, S. L., & Guastaferro, K. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

American Journal of Public Health

Page(s)

e1-e5

Abstract

Abstract

HIV Prevention in Foster Care Youths : Time for a Refocus

Household family type and children’s risk of child protective services re-reports

Implementing a Sexual and Reproductive Health Workshop for Latina Teens and their Female Caregivers: Findings from Theater Testing and Piloting.

Increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in primary care : A study protocol for a multi-level intervention using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework

Lockhart, E., Turner, D. A., Guastaferro, K., Szalacha, L. A., Alzate, H. T., Marhefka, S., Pittiglio, B., Dekker, M., Yeh, H. H., Zelenak, L., Toney, J., Manogue, S., & Ahmedani, B. K. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Volume

143

10.1016/j.cct.2024.107599

Abstract

Abstract

Background: In the United States, over 1.2 million people are living with HIV. This disease disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), people of color, youth and young adults, and transgender individuals. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method. Barriers exist for both primary care providers (PCPs) to prescribe PrEP and prevent patients from initiating PrEP. Methods: This study, MOST: PrEP, follows the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework. The purpose is to identify a multi-level intervention among patients and PCPs to increase PrEP prescriptions in primary care. First, feedback will be obtained from providers and patients via focus groups, then, suggestions related to the context-specific (provider and individual level) factors of intervention component delivery will be incorporated. Subsequently, a rigorous experiment will be conducted using a 24 factorial design focusing on priority populations for PrEP initiation. Provider components include computer-based simulation training and a best practice alert. Patient components include a tailored PrEP educational video and HIV risk assessment. Finally, the facilitators and barriers to implementing the intervention components will be qualitatively examined. Conclusion: In this protocol paper, we describe the one of the first known multilevel MOST optimization trial in healthcare. Intervention components are to be delivered to patients and providers in a large healthcare system, based in an HIV Ending the Epidemic priority jurisdiction. If effective, this multi-level approach could be disseminated to providers and patients in other large healthcare systems to make a significant impact on HIV prevention.

Increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in primary care: A study protocol for a multi-level intervention using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework

Intervention Optimization : A Paradigm Shift and Its Potential Implications for Clinical Psychology

Intervention optimization: A paradigm shift and its potential implications for clinical psychology

Maximizing Impact: Expanding the Reach of Child Maltreatment Prevention Interventions

Maximizing the reach of universal child sexual abuse prevention : Protocol for an equivalence trial

Guastaferro, K., Melchior, M. S., Heng, S., Trudeau, J., & Holloway, J. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

Volume

10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101345

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) affects 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 12 boys before age 18. Universal school-based prevention programs are an effective and cost-efficient method of teaching students an array of personal safety skills. However, the programmatic reach of universal school-based programs is limited by the inherent reliance on the school infrastructure and a dearth of available alternative delivery modalities. Methods: The design for this study will use a rigorous cluster randomized design (N = 180 classrooms) to determine the equivalence of two delivery modalities of Safe Touches: as usual vs. modified. The as usual workshop will be delivered by two facilitators with live puppet skits (n = 90). Whereas, the modified workshop will be delivered by one facilitator using prerecorded skit videos (n = 90). We will determine the equivalence by measuring concept learning acquisition preworkshop to immediate postworkshop (Aim 1) and retention at 3-months postworkshop (Aim 2) among students in classrooms that receive the as usual or modified workshops. To conclude equivalence, it is imperative to also examine factors that may impact future dissemination and implementation, specifically program adoption among school personnel and implementation fidelity between the two modalities (Aim 3). Conclusion: Study findings will inform the ongoing development of effective CSA prevention programs and policy decisions regarding the sustainable integration of such programs within schools. Clinical trial registration: NCT06195852.

Maximizing the reach of universal child sexual abuse prevention: Protocol for an equivalence trial

Guastaferro, K., Melchior, M. S., Heng, S., Trudeau, J., & Holloway, J. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

Volume

Abstract

Abstract

Background Child sexual abuse (CSA) affects 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 12 boys before age 18. Universal school-based prevention programs are an effective and cost-efficient method of teaching students an array of personal safety skills. However, the programmatic reach of universal school-based programs is limited by the inherent reliance on the school infrastructure and a dearth of available alternative delivery modalities. Methods The design for this study, Roads to Impact, will use a rigorous cluster randomized design (N = 180 classrooms) to determine the equivalence of two delivery modalities of Safe Touches: as usual vs. modified. The usual workshop will be delivered by two facilitators with live puppet skits, as designed (n=90). Whereas, the modified workshop will be delivered by one facilitator using prerecorded skit videos (n=90). We will determine the equivalence by measuring concept learning acquisition preworkshop to immediate postworkshop (Aim 1) and retention at 3-months postworkshop (Aim 2) among students in classrooms that receive the as usual or modified workshops. To conclude equivalence, it is imperative to also examine factors that may impact future dissemination and implementation, specifically program adoption among school personnel and implementation fidelity between the two modalities (Aim 3). Conclusion Study findings will inform the ongoing development of effective CSA prevention programs and policy decisions regarding the sustainable integration of such programs within schools.

Optimization of implementation strategies using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework: Practical guidance using the factorial design

Optimization of implementation strategies using the Multiphase Optimization STratgey (MOST) framework : Practical guidance using the factorial design

Optimization of Smoking Cessation Interventions via Multiphase Optimization STrategy (MOST): Basic Concepts, Practical Considerations and New Developments

Kate Guastaferro