The National Children's Study (NCS) is the most complex and far-reaching panel study of children ever mounted in the United States. The NCS tracks the health status of 100,000 children from before birth through age 21, with the overall goal of improving the health and well-being of children. The study collects longitudinal data on a wide range of environmental exposures believed to affect child health and development – including those experienced by mothers of sampled children prior to conception and during pregnancy as well as the biological, chemical, physical, and socio-cultural environments of their children through age 21. The collection of genetic information as well as extensive health outcomes for sampled children will provide a unique capacity to improve understanding of the impact of genetics, behavior patterns, environmental exposures, and the interactions among these on the health, development, and well-being of children.
NORC supports NCS through a number of initiatives and projects, including the NCS Field Support contract funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). This contract addresses a range of activities designed to aid in the administration of NCS data collection. NORC will ensure effective training, consistent field performance, quality assurance, operational monitoring, and problem solving across approximately 40 current NCS study locations. NORC will be responsible for key field support efforts including:
- Study center readiness and site assistance
- Data collection monitoring and management
- Transition support services