Evidence-based Practice Use, Training and Implementation in the Community-Based Service Setting: A Survey of Children’s Mental Health Service Providers

Abstract

Data from the Evidence-Based Treatment (EBT) Survey of providers affiliated with CMHS-funded systems-of-care were analyzed to describe the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the use of a broad range of EBPs among direct service providers (N=446) and to describe the characteristics of providers of the six most frequently identified EBPs. Provider characteristics and training and treatment implementation factors differed by the type of EBP. Providers received training from a variety of sources depending on the reported EBP and reported a low level of full treatment implementation, particularly for those practices that have standardized guidelines and procedures in place for implementation. Implications for children’s mental health service agency administrators and service providers related to workforce issues will be discussed.