Evidence-Based Practices

The term “evidence-based practice” (when used in providing services to individuals with severe mental illness) comes from a field of research on practices that increase the individual’s ability to be an active member of their community by increasing their social and economic independence. The focus is on the person within his or her environment versus the symptom or diagnosis.

Historically mental health outcome research has been based on a specific diagnosis and a treatment protocol, evaluating the success or limitations in reducing symptoms of the illness. Examples of empirically validated treatment protocols include cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals with depression. The research demonstrates symptom reduction as an outcome. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is another treatment protocol that has demonstrated some good outcomes in terms of symptom reduction, and decreased hospitalizations for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. In this research approach a specific mental illness is identified, symptom reduction is identified as the outcome, and a specific treatment is studied. The primary focus is on diagnosis, treatment protocol, and symptom reduction.

In 1998 a national consensus panel identified 6 practices that were seen as effective models for individuals with Severe Mental Illness. "Effective" was identified as increasing the person’s ability to function in the community. Instead of looking at treatment approaches for individuals with specific diagnoses, the panel focused on practices that were effective for individuals with a range of diagnoses, but with a commonality of all having a serious mental illness. Since then, “tool kits” have been developed to provide “tools” that would help providers implement these practices.

EBP Toolkits - for accessing the toolkits provided by SAMHSA
Current Sites
Fidelity

Implementing Assertive Community Treatment in Kansas Training

These trainings are for all employees on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. Participants will learn foundational skills for their specific role, to work on a multi-disciplinary team, and to advance the lives of persons with serious mental illness. All trainings will be from 1-3 p.m. CT and virtual, unless otherwise noted.

For more information, click this link.

ACT Training Flyer (pdf)

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Evidence-Based, Emerging and Promising Practices Being Implemented in Kansas

Under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) model, practices are broken up into three types: Evidence-Based, Emerging, and Promising. The category for any particular practice depends on the amount and validity of the research involved in it.

To learn more about the practices being implemented in Kansas, please click on one of the following categories:

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Evidenced-Based: Rigorous Research, Good Outcomes
Supported Employment

Supported Employment is a well-defined approach to helping people with mental illnesses find and keep competitive employment within their communities. Supported employment programs are staffed by employment specialists who have frequent meetings with treatment providers to integrate supported employment with mental health services. The core principles of this program include:
- Eligibility based on consumer choices and preferences;
- Supported employment as an integrated treatment;
- Continuous follow-along supports;
- Help with moving beyond the patient role and developing new employment-related roles as part of the recovery process.
Links

Let’s Talk Employment: A Guide to Employment for Family Members
Social Security Administration Red Book: A Summary Guide to Employment Supports For Persons With Disabilities Under the SSDI and SSI Programs
IPS Employment Center
SOAR Works - Work Incentives: Overview
Yes You Can Work!

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders is for people who have both mental illness and a substance abuse addiction. This treatment approach helps people recover by offering both mental health and substance abuse services at the same time and in one setting.

This approach includes:
- Individualized treatment, based on a person’s current stage of recovery;
- Education about the illness;
- Case management;
- Help with housing;
- Money management;
- Relationship and social support;
- Counseling designed especially for people with co-occurring disorders.
Family Psychoeducation (Kansas Family Partnership)
Family Psychoeducation involves a partnership among consumers, families and supporters, and practitioners. Through relationship building, education, collaboration, problem solving, and an atmosphere of hope and cooperation, family psychoeducation helps consumers and their families and supporters to:
- Learn about mental illness;
- Master new ways of managing their mental illness;
- Reduce tension and stress within the family;
- Provide social support and encouragement to each other;
- Focus on the future;
- Find ways for families and supporters to help consumers in their recovery.
Emerging: Strong research
Strengths-Based Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment

Strengths-based community psychiatric support and treatment is a set of practices that are designed to assist consumers in achieving the goals they set for themselves in their recovery. Strengths-based psychiatric services incorporate specific tools such as a strengths assessment, recovery goal worksheet, and group supervision to assist providers in practicing the following core principles of the model:
- People have the capacity to recover, reclaim & transform their lives;
- The focus is on individual strengths rather than deficits;
- The consumer is the director of the helping relationship;
- The relationship is primary and essential; and
- The community is an oasis of resources and the preferred setting for the work.
Promising: Some research
Supported Housing

Supported Housing refers to a set of practices that help consumers achieve independent living in integrated settings. The provision of consumer choice on housing arrangements is a key element, along with adequate case management supports which match what the consumer needs. This approach includes:
- The development of housing goals, and options appropriate to the goal;
- Case management practices that encourage and support full community integration;
- Agency practices that increase financial resources and housing subsidies for clients;
- Agencies informing consumers about legal rights, obligations and about being a good tenant;
- A separation of services from housing;
- Other agency supports as necessary (i.e., attendant care, in-home medication assistance, crisis services, psychosocial rehabilitation in the home, and case management services); and
- Services provided in the community or home.
Supported Education

Supported Education assists people with psychiatric disabilities to achieve educational goals in post-secondary, vocational school/training or obtaining their GED. This model of service provides assistance in obtaining financial resources for school, enrolling in school, and support to achieve a degree or certificate. Supported Education Services include:
- A commitment by the mental health center to promote the pursuit of educational goals for people with psychiatric disabilities;
- Connection and relationships with academic institutions;
- Zero exclusion into the program;
- Supported education services are based on consumer preferences;
- Individualized enrollment assistance; and
- Individualized educational supports such as academic accommodations, tutoring, peer support, and ongoing assistance with financial aid.

Who to Contact About Evidence-Based and Promising Practices in Kansas

For further information about Evidence-Based and Promising Practices in Kansas, contact:

Melissa Boyd
Quality Assurance Manager
KDADS Behavioral Health Services Commission
New England Building
503 S Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603

Behavioral Health Services

Evidence-Based Practices

Implementing Assertive Community Treatment in Kansas Training

Evidence-Based, Emerging and Promising Practices Being Implemented in Kansas

Evidenced-Based: Rigorous Research, Good Outcomes

Supported Employment

Links

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

Family Psychoeducation (Kansas Family Partnership)

Emerging: Strong research

Strengths-Based Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment

Promising: Some research

Supported Housing

Supported Education

Who to Contact About Evidence-Based and Promising Practices in Kansas