Developing a Menu of Evidence-Based Prevention Programs

The mantra of assuring quality services, treatments, or programs has become a determination of whether the services, treatments, or programs are “evidence-based.” To make the determination of whether an evidence-based standard has been achieved requires a review of the research body, a methodology for coding that research, and a method of disseminating that information either to practitioner or consumers. Hawai`i has been acknowledged for its work in defining an easy-to-understand menu of treatment services for children and youth with serious emotional or behavioral challenges. That menu is widely distributed to providers, is available on the web, and has been adapted for utilization by families. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division determined a need to apply this methodology to an assessment of available prevention programs to determine which programs hold the greatest promise for success based on the available research. Those programs which meet the standard for evidence-base would inform funding decisions. This presentation will describe the process that has been used to arrive at those determinations. The challenges inherent in adapting a coding methodology specific to treatment to prevention programs will be described. The initial outcomes of the reviews will be presented and how those outcomes are driving funding decisions.