Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in State Mental Health Systems: Implications for Research and Effectiveness Studies

Abstract

There is a huge gap between knowledge and practice, and between what is known through research and what is actually implemented in public mental health systems. In the past 2 decades, rigorous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of various treatments and interventions but these findings have not resulted in broad-based implementation. A major contention of this article is that while there is a growing body of knowledge related to evidence-based practices, there is a lack of understanding and research related to factors critical for implementation. This article reviews the current status of implementation of evidence-based practices in the public mental health system and identifies challenges and barriers related to their dissemination. Based on this analysis, this article proposes a research agenda that promotes the development of a science of implementation of evidence-based practices.

Racial and Ethnic Service Use Disparities Among Homeless Adults With Severe Mental Illnesses Receiving ACT

“…Core features of ACT include a multidisciplinary team approach, frequent and intensive contacts, small caseloads, and assertive outreach (13). Policy makers and administrators are committed to increasing access to ACT (14), and evidence about its equity effects would provide them with a more complete assessment of its value. The purpose of our study was to determine whether receipt of ACT is associated with a reduction in service use disparities for black and Latino adults with severe mental illnesses who are also burdened by homelessness.…”

Improving the Mental Health of Children in Child Welfare Through the Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions

“…Other publications have reviewed the implementation process for Intensive Family Preservation (Homebuilders) (Adams 1994) and the approaches taken to implement the Family to Family Initiative sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (Fiester 2008), but the evidence base for these programs is less well established. Unlike for mental health or juvenile justice agencies (Raghavan et al 2007;Ganju 2003;Torrey et al 2003Torrey et al , 2005Schoenwald et al 2008a, b;Glisson and Schoenwald 2005) little research exists on characteristics related to the widespread adoption of EBPs in Child Welfare settings.…”

A Functional Guide to the Evidence-Based Practice Movement in the Substance Abuse Treatment Field

“…Other challenges might involve communication protocols, cost, infrastructure readiness, training, and fidelity around the implementation of EBPs (Ganju, 2003). Fixsen, Naoom, Blasé, Friedman, and Wallace (2005) highlighted the core responsibilities of state and federal policymakers specific to implementation practices.…”