Research-Practice Collaboration to Improve Children’s Behavioral Health

There is a national crisis in behavioral health among youth. Yet, many families receive care that is not aligned with the latest research evidence. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a clinical decision-making process that identifies optimal care based on a patient’s needs and context, clinical expertise, and the best available research evidence. Unfortunately, behavioral health agencies often face barriers to accessing and translating the best available research into practice. Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) can help break down those barriers. RPPs are collaborations that involve mutual learning and co-creation between researchers and agency stakeholders, and foster “nurturing conditions” essential to increasing EBP. However, cultivating and sustaining RPPs can be challenging. This study will use a mixed methods approach to: 1) improve understanding of behavioral health agencies’ experiences and needs regarding EBP, 2) gain insight into how best to cultivate strong and sustainable RPPs between BC and MA behavioral health agencies, and 3) co-create and pilot test intervention plans designed to improve EBP and strengthen RPPs. As Mike Semel of The Home notes: “Implementing EBP in a large child welfare organization is complex. We hope these RPPs can support “quality improvement practices" (Beth Chin, Wayside) and, ultimately, lead to better behavioral health outcomes for youth and their families.