The status of states' policies to support evidence-based practices in children's mental health.

Objective: This study examined the efforts of states' mental health authorities to promote the use of evidence-based practices through policy.

Methods: Data were drawn from three components of a national study, including a survey of state children's mental health directors (N=53), which was developed using a three-step process that involved stakeholders.

Results: Data from the directors' survey revealed that over 90% of states are implementing strategies to support the use of evidence-based practices. The scope of these efforts varies, with 36% reporting statewide reach. Further, states' strategies for implementing evidence-based practices are often not accompanied by comparable efforts to enhance information systems, even though enhancing such systems can bolster opportunities for successful implementation.

Conclusions: Variability in the adoption of evidence-based practices, poor attention to information systems, and inconsistent fiscal policies threaten states' efforts to improve the quality of children's mental health services.