EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES
Evidence-based practice is an interdisciplinary approach to clinical practice, which began in medicine and spread to other fields. Evidence-based practice "entails making decisions about how to promote health or provide care by integrating the best available evidence with practitioner expertise and other resources, and with the characteristics, state, needs, values and preferences of those who will be affected. This is done in a manner that is compatible with the environmental and organizational context. Evidence is comprised by research findings derived from the systematic collection of data through observation and experiment and the formulation of questions and testing of hypotheses." (www.ebbp.org)
This Evidence-Based Practices and Programs Wiki-page is dedicated to the identification of evidence-based practices and programs applicable to the field of correctional mental health. The page includes links to a series of evidence-based practice/program directories and clearinghouses. In the future, the Mental Health Network aims to include specific evidence-based programs and practices, endorsed by the Mental Health Network, for dissemination in the field of corrections.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS
COMPREHENSIVE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORIES
- Crime Solutions is an Office of Justice Programs' website dedicated to the use of rigorous research to determine what works in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. The site contains research on program effectiveness reviewed and rated by expert reviewers, easily understandable ratings, and key program information and research findings.
- The Cocoran Collaboration is an international non-profit and independent organization, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
- What Works - Justice Center - The Council of State Governments offers easy access to important research on the effectiveness of a wide variety of reentry programs and practices. It provides a user-friendly, one-stop shop for practitioners and service providers seeking guidance on evidence-based reentry interventions, as well as a useful resource for researchers and others interested in reentry.
- SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a voluntary rating and classification system designed to provide the public with reliable information on the scientific basis and practicality of interventions that prevent and/or treat mental and substance use disorders. Descriptive information and quantitative ratings are provided across several key areas for all interventions reviewed by NREPP.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is a national guideline clearinghouse offering a comprehensive database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and related documents.
- The Campbell Collaboration (C2) is a non-profit organization that aims to help people make well-informed decisions about the effects of interventions in the social, behavioral, and educational arenas. C2's objectives are to prepare, maintain and disseminate systematic reviews of studies of interventions.
- Social Programs That Work, Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy summarizes the findings from well-designed randomized controled trials that, in our view, have particularly important policy implications, to include crime/justice and mental health programs.
- The National Implementation Research Network seeks to close the gap between science and practice of implementation in relation to evidence-based programs and practices.
SPECIALIZED EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS - DIRECTORIES, CLEARINGHOUSES, AND GUIDELINES
Resources Specific to Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments
- The American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guidelines address a range of mental disorders, including Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Schizophrenia, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
- The Society for Clinical Psychology website details a significant number of research-supported psychological treatments. The tabs at the top of their website allow the user to select all forms of empirically supported treatments or to choose treatments specific to a particular disorder.
- Best Practices for Recovery and Improved Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Disturbance is a product of the American Psychological Association's Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice's Task Force on Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Disturbance. This document assists psychologists in identifying appropriate interventions for their settings and those they serve; identified needed advanced clinical training initiatives; and provides contact information for experts on specific interventions included in this document.
- New Zealand Guidelines Group leads a movement towards the delivery of high quality health and disabilities service based on evidence and effectiveness. While broadly directed toward all forms of healthcare, mental health issues specifically are also addressed.
Resources Specific to Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment
Resources Specific to Evidence-Based Sex Offender Treatment
Resources Specific to Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Criminality