Evidence Based Practice Institute - University of Washington

The following are questions about implications and implementation of HB2536. They were submitted by various community stakeholders in order to address provider concerns.

How can I include my program/practice on the Inventory of EBP, RPB and Promising Practices?	Adaptations/Enhancement of existing evidence-based practices for cultural/gender or other community needs. Receive coaching on process for defining and researching local practices to become EBP/RBP/Promising.
How will 2536 ensure that practices are culturally competent and effective with youth of color?	The definition of evidence-based includes a requirement that the research has been conducted on heterogenous populations, which is interpreted to mean populations that match the racial and ethnic profile of Washington State residents. (There will be an exception for programs directed at specific populations such as African American youth, or girls in the juvenile justice system). Programs and practices that do not have heterogenous population results, but otherwise demonstrate effectiveness, will be categorized as research-based. Coaching will include assistance with adaptation/enhancement in communities for which the EBP has relatively limited research.
My agency is interested in implementing one or more of these evidence-based practices. What steps do we need to take?	Agencies interested in implementing one of the EBP/RBP/Promising practices on the list will need to use the EBP Implementation Form.
How can my program and clients benefit by the passing of 2536?	opportunity to document positive outcomes from your programs opportunity to update the training and policies for clinicians and earn more for practices that work lead the country in mental health practices ensure highest quality services for clients
Is my program going to lose funding when the new definitions of EBP/RBP/Promising take effect?	2536 intends to discover more of ‘what works’ by expanding the categories of practice and eliminate ineffective programs If you feel your program is effective, contact dgabriel@uw.edu about the Promising Practice Application and ways to modify your program and document your successes, in order to qualify yourself for inclusion in one of the categories
Why did the Washington State Legislature enact this change?	treatment as usual did not represent the highest quality care for clients ineffective treatments put a strain on the client, clinician, agency, system and state
Was there additional funding from the legislature to expand EBPs?	There was no additional funding in the current legislation to expand EBPs. The legislation also requests that WSIPP and the UW work to identify sources of funding, and these partners have already contacted a number of foundations including Gates, Casey, and McArthur in order to determine the amount of funding that may be available to expand EBPs.
Did the legislature provide funds to move a promising or research-based practice to an EBP?	Technical Assistance services will be available to move programs to promising or research-based practices, but no funds are directly available from the legislation to support research of a program or program materials, such as manual production. Coaching, however, could include assistance with identifying promising funding sources for these activities.
Who decides which practices meet the criteria to be “coached” and become a PP?EBP?	Programs will be selected by WSIPP, the UW, and community representatives for coaching based on the quality of an application for this service and as slots are available to meet the need.
How many slots/opportunities are there for this opportunity to begin with?	As it is not yet clear what the time demand will be for this service, nor what resources will be available, it is not yet possible to provide information about how much coaching will be available.
What happens if a providers’ practice is not picked for a coaching slot? Waiting list, etc.?	Applicants who are not selected for the coaching program will be given feedback on their application and will either be asked to resubmit or will be placed on a waiting list for a coaching slot. Again, this process remains unsettled because of lack of information.

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