Role of state mental health leaders in supporting evidence-based practices over time.

State administrative supports of evidence-based practices (EBPs) may critically affect sustainability. As part of a larger follow-up to the multistate National Implementing Evidence-Based Practices Project, 13 leaders from eight States reported on recent statewide policies and resources that influenced the maintenance of 49 EBP programs 6 years after implementation. Nearly three-quarters (71 %) of the programs were currently operational and adhering to State fidelity standards.

Predicting the long-term sustainability of evidence-based practices in mental health care: an 8-year longitudinal analysis.

Few studies have examined predictors of long-term sustainability of evidence-based practices in mental health. This study used assessments of five evidence-based practices implemented in 49 sites in eight states at baseline and years 2, 4, and 8. Program characteristics, implementation characteristics, reinforcement activities, and sustainability factors were used to predict program survival status.

Long-term sustainability of evidence-based practices in community mental health agencies.

This study examined rates of sustainability, defined as program continuation, and factors associated with sustainability 6 years after full implementation of five evidence-based practices in 49 sites in the National Implementing Evidence-Based Practices Project. Based on interviews with agency leaders and state leaders, 47 % of sites sustained the practice for 6 years, 16 % restarted the practice after a period of discontinuation, and 37 % discontinued the practice permanently. Agency leaders from discontinuing sites identified inadequate financial support, lack of prioritization, and workforce issues as barriers to continuation.

Validation of the Revised Individual Placement and Support Fidelity Scale (IPS-25).

Objective: The individual placement and support (IPS) model of supported employment for people with severe mental illness is an evidence-based practice. The 15-item IPS Fidelity Scale (IPS-15) was developed to measure program fidelity and has been shown to have good psychometric properties, including predictive validity. On the basis of field experience and research updates, the authors developed an expanded and revised version of this scale, the IPS-25, also known as the Supported Employment Fidelity Scale.