The Role of the State Mental Health Authority in Implementing Evidence-Based Practices - Coleman-Beattie, Hyde, Isett, Morrissey, Burnam, Goldman

For decades, the mental health field has been slow to adopt research findings on what practices work. Instead, the field has been dominated by popular trends or theoretical beliefs. Leaders are now pledging their commitment to adopting evidence-based practices. These are practices that have been proven to consistently produce intended results, such as integrated treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems, or educational programs for family members. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are sponsoring a multi-site demonstration of evidence-based practices in eight states. The goal of this demonstration is to assess the feasibility of introducing evidence-based practices in typical public mental health settings. Capitalizing on this large demonstration, the Network carved out its own role: it is studying how state governments innovate, how they adapt, and how they sustain change. The Network developed a site visit protocol, conducted site visits, created a matrix for arraying data, and prepared detailed site visit reports. The Network also identified the need for a “how-to” manual about evidence-based practices for clinicians and administrators. It then funded the writing and dissemination of the manual, Turning Knowledge into Practice [insert link to past Project]. During the second wave, the Network is studying what policies of state and local mental health authorities facilitate or impede implementation of evidence-based practices.

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Last modified: June 1, 2006
©2006 MacArthur Foundation Network on Mental Health Policy Research
Last Revised: June 2006