Clearing Hurdles: The Challenges of Implementation of Mental Health Evidence-Based Practices in Under-resourced Schools.
Schools have become the main provider of services to children with mental health needs. Although there is substantial literature on barriers to implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in under-resourced school districts, less has been written on how to overcome those barriers. Providing mental health services in the school setting presents a tremendous opportunity to increase access to quality mental health care for underserved youth. This review provides a brief overview of the barriers to successful implementation and sustainment of EBPs in under-resourced public schools and provides recommendations for overcoming them. The discussion is organized around an established conceptual framework adapted for the delivery of services in under-resourced schools that focuses on interdependent factors that exist at the individual-, team, school-, and macro-levels. This manuscript explores some recommendations and strategies for effectively addressing challenges related to implementation of EBPs. Research ideas are offered to bridge the research-to-practice gap that impacts many under-resourced public school districts.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3440 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3306, USA ; Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4319, USA.
Ricardo
R
Eiraldi
Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 3 Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Courtney Benjamin
CB
Wolk
Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 3 Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Jill
J
Locke
Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 3 Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Rinad
R
Beidas
Implementation; evidence-based practices; mental health services; sustainment; under-resourced schools