Evidence Based Practices

Sufficient research and evaluation of community mental health services delivery shows the system must move to embrace the practices shown to be effective in: improving consumer quality of life outcomes; reducing use of more costly, more restrictive services; and satisfying consumers. Examples of proven methods are:

• Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders
• Supported Employment
• Illness Management and Recovery
• Assertive Community Treatment
• Family Psychoeducation
• Permanent Supportive Housing

Toolkits for these practices are available from the SAMHSA publications webpage . (browse publications)

Fidelity
It is important to measure fidelity to implementation of Evidence Based Practices. Fidelity is defined as the degree of implementation of an Evidence Based Practice. Fidelity scales have been developed for all six toolkits.

Related Information:

• President's New Freedom Commission
• National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
• Institute Of Medicine: Crossing the Quality Chasm report