Readiness of school-based service providers toward integration of mental health services in schools and adoption of evidence-based practices

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.