Getting to the table: Agency characteristics and evidence-based intervention adoption in children's mental health care

Child Youth Serv Rev. 2020 Mar:110:104774. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104774. Epub 2020 Jan 22.

Abstract

Scaling evidence-based interventions (EBI) for children and families across healthcare systems can expand public health impact. Research has identified EBI adoption determinants. However, less understood are characteristics of agencies that opt in across the stages of adoption. This study examined the relationship between agency (N=69) characteristics (e.g., revenue) and four adoption stages during a large-scale trial of an EBI for children with significant behavioral difficulties and their families. 48 (70%) of agencies demonstrated interest, 28 (41%) scheduled an informational meeting, 20 (29%) received training, and 16 (22%) demonstrated EBI uptake. Analyses indicated no differences in characteristics and initial interest. However, agencies with small-sized revenue had significantly reduced odds at other adoption stages. Implications for strategies to bring EBI access to scale are discussed.

Keywords: Organizations; adoption; implementation; mental health; public data; scale-up.