281165
Readiness of school-based service providers toward integration of mental health services in schools and adoption of evidence-based practices
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
: 10:48 a.m. - 11:06 a.m.
Donna Burton, Ph.D.,
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Tom Massey, PhD,
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background: Provider attitudes toward the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) into clinical services settings have been investigated with regard to facilitating adoption of new innovations, and measures of mental health provider attitudes toward the adoption of EBPs have been developed. However, providers of mental health serves in school settings have not been widely investigated with regard to attitudes toward EBP adoption. Purpose: This presentation will discuss the results of a survey of mental health services integration readiness among several levels of school professional staff. Significance: In view of the fact that schools are the de facto providers of mental health services to children, investigation of EBP implementation readiness among this group of service providers has potential for improving EBP dissemination and adoption. Methodology: The survey utilized a commonly used measure of mental health provider attitudes toward adoption of EBPs, which was modified for use with school staff. Participants were school services staff from multiple levels of service provision and administration in a large central Florida school district. Findings / Results: Outcomes comparing the results of the modified version of an instrument shown to reliably measure attitudes toward EBP adoption will be presented. Other indicators of implementation readiness, including role identification and facilitators to mental health services integration will be discussed. Conclusions / Recommendations: Effective dissemination efforts related to EBPs in children's mental health must necessarily include investigation of school mental health providers in light of their vital rule in children's mental health services delivery.
Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the outcomes of a school mental health services integration survey.
Evaluate the results of the modified version of an instrument shown to reliably measure attitudes toward adoption of evidence-based practices (EBPs).
Discuss indicators of school mental health services integration readiness, including professional role identification and implementation facilitators, as they pertain to attitudes toward adoption of EBPs.
Keyword(s): School-Based Programs, Evidence Based Practice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal researcher on the study described, which is part of a larger study encompassing my dissertation research. I have extensive experience in the implementation of evidence-based programs into community settings. I am the Project Director of the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health. My research interests include best practices in adolescent behavioral health and I have presented at regional, national and international conferences on school mental health services integration.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
