Issues facing the dissemination of prevention programs: three decades of research on the adolescent diversion project.
This paper argues that the issues facing effective prevention programs when they embark on dissemination, implementation, and routinization have been largely ignored by the field. Through the example of the Adolescent Diversion Program, these issues are illustrated and discussed. Four sequential longitudinal experimental studies are summarized as a context for the discussion of dissemination issues. In each case, the alternative preventive program is demonstrated to be more effective than traditional approaches. Challenges to widespread implementation of effective prevention programs are then discussed with a call for the field to add such issues to its scientific agenda.
Sturza
Marisa L
ML
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 135 Snyder Hall, E. Lansing, MI 48824, USA. sturzama@msu.edu
Davidson
William S
WS
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011593:Psychology, Social; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States