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.
Cooper
Janice L
JL
National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 215 W. 125th, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027, USA. jc90@columbia.edu
Aratani
Yumiko
Y
D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008486:Physician Executives; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States