title: The what, when, and why of implementation frameworks for evidence-based practices in child welfare and child mental health service systems.
abstract: It is widely recognized that children in the child welfare system are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health and mental effects associated with exposure to abuse and neglect, making it imperative to have broad-based availability of evidence-based practices (EBPs) that can prevent child maltreatment and reduce the negative mental health outcomes for youth who are victims. A variety of EBPs exist for reducing child maltreatment risk and addressing the associated negative mental health outcomes, but the reach of these practices is limited. An emerging literature documents factors that can enhance or inhibit the success of EBP implementation in community service agencies, including how the selection of a theory-driven conceptual framework, or model, might facilitate implementation planning by providing guidance for best practices during implementation phases. However, limited research is available to guide decision makers in the selection of implementation frameworks that can boost implementation success for EBPs that focus on preventing child welfare recidivism and serving the mental health needs of maltreated youth. The aims of this conceptual paper are to (1) provide an overview of existing implementation frameworks, beginning with a discussion of definitional issues and the selection criteria for frameworks included in the review; and (2) offer recommendations for practice and policy as applicable for professionals and systems serving victims of child maltreatment and their families.
authors.affiliation: National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Rochelle F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training & Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Self-Brown
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Whitney L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Rostad
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068216:Child Protective Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational
keywords: Child welfare; Evidence-based practices; Frameworks; Implementation; Mental health