Best Practices
Evidence-Based Practices and Emerging Best Practices
Evidence-based or best practices are those that have consistently resulted in positive outcomes based on scientific studies. In the mental health field, these are specific services or interventions that have been proven to produce benefits to consumers and their quality of life. The terms "best practices" and "evidence based practices" are often used interchangeably. Other terms related to best practices are defined in the N.C. Science to Service Project's Definitions of Frequently Used Terms ( 20k PDF ).
At the Guilford Center, we are committed to implementing evidence based best practices and components of emerging best practices. We also are committed to providing pertinent information about these practices to our service providers and to helping you find resources, training opportunities and further information as it develops.
We encourage service providers to check this section frequently for information and news on best practices. In addition, providers can visit the sites listed below for more comprehensive information on specific evidence based practices.
Guilford Center's Best Practice Principles and Indicators
Adult Services
The North Carolina Science-to-Service Project
www.ncs2s.org
The N.C. Science-to-Service Project was created to facilitate statewide implementation of evidence based practices within the public mental health system. The aim is to improve the quality and outcomes of services delivered, with a focus on Adult Services.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) entered into a partnership to provide grants for states to plan their implementation of evidence based practices. The forming of the N.C. Science to Service Project is a direct result of that grant.
This site offers a wealth of information about evidence based practices. It contains tool kits for implementation, includes updates on what is happening nationally and information on trainings being offered in North Carolina. It provides specific information about six practices proven to be effective in helping consumers recover:
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Illness Management and Recovery
- Medication Management
- Family Psychoeducation
- Supported Employment
- Co-occurring Disorders:Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment
This site is also the link for other informative Web sites.
North Carolina Evidenced-Based Practices
Center
www.Ncebpcenter.Org
This site works closely with the N.C. Science-to-Service Project. It provides an overview of the evidence based practices currently identified for Adult Services in North Carolina. You can also find tool kits and details about Assertive Community Treatment, Family Psychoeducation, Illness Management and Recovery, Medication Management, Supported Employment, and Integrated Dual Disorders.
Mental Health Best Practice Consultation
For additional information about Adult Services Best
Practices, contact:
Wes Early
Mental Health Best Practice Specialist
Telephone: 336-641-4333
Email:wearly@guilfordcenter.com
Substance Abuse Services
Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
Coordinating Center of Excellence
www.ohiosamiccoe.case.edu
The Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Coordinating Center of Excellence (OSCCOE) helps agencies develop and enhance their services for persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. They support the implementation of evidence based practices including New Hampshire-Dartmouth Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment and Supported Employment. The Web site contains general information on these models, links and training resources.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration
www.prevention.samhsa.gov
This organization provides information on prevention principles and programs. The Web site contains links, advertises grant opportunities and supports various evidence based prevention programs for substance abuse services.
National Centers for the Application of
Prevention Technologies
www.captUS.org
Launched in 1997 as part of the DHHS Secretary's Initiative on Youth Substance Abuse Prevention, the Centers for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) program focuses its efforts on four key prevention areas:
- Youth illicit drug use
- Underage drinking
- Alcohol, drugs and violence
- HIV/AIDS and drug use
The CAPTUS.org Web site includes useful information about the CAPT program, including upcoming events, an online calendar, news, links to regional CAPT Web sites, contact information, publications, other prevention resources, and an online virtual conference center: Guilford Center Substance Abuse Best Practice Consultation.
For additional information about Substance Abuse and Dual Diagnosis Best Practices, contact:
Joe Fortin, Substance Abuse Best Practice Specialist
Tel: 336-641-4947
Email: jfortin@guilfordcenter.com
Child Services
System of Care is a philosophy and foundation which defines how to provide services to children and families with the best possible outcomes. It creates the standard for best practice in children's mental health. It is based on some of the following beliefs for providing services:
- Family and child centered
- Based on family strengths
- Plans and services are family driven
- Services are provided in the least restrictive settings
- Respect for and culturally appropriate
- Provided in child's home and local community settings
- Clinically appropriate and adhere to best practice standards
- Work collaboratively with multiple human service agencies involved with the family
- Children, their families and community supports (both formal and informal) are equal and integral partners and a team that respects, listens and works together to accomplish goals.
- Builds on family and community supports for resources to accomplish goals
- Builds on natural support systems for the children and families
- Focus on safety and success for child and family at home, school and community
Core values and guiding principles for System of care were developed in 1986 (Stroul & Friedman) to support the federal Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP). They are:
SYSTEM OF CARE CORE VALUES
- The System of Care should be child-centered and family-focused, with the needs of the child and family dictating the types and mix of service provided.
- The System of Care should be community based, with the locus of services as well as management and decision-making responsibility resting at the community level.
- The System of Care should be culturally competent, with agencies, programs, and services that are representative to the cultural, racial, and ethnic differences of the populations they service.
SYSTEM OF CARE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Children with emotional disturbances should have access to a comprehensive array of services that address the child's physical, emotional, social, and educational needs.
- Children with emotional disturbances should receive individualized services in accordance with the unique needs and potential of each child and guided by an individualized service plan.
- Children with emotional disturbances should receive services within the least restrictive, most normative environment that is clinically appropriate.
- The families and surrogate families of children with emotional disturbances should be full participants in all aspects of the planning and delivery of services. Children with emotional disturabcnes should receive services that are integrate, with linkages between child-serving agencies and programs, and mechanisms for planning, developing and coordinating services.
- Children with emotional disturbances should be provided with case management or similar mechanisms to ensure that multiple services are delivered in a coordinated and therapeutic manner and that they can move through the system of services in accordance with their changing needs.
- Early identification and intervention for children with emotional disturbances should be promoted by the System of Care in order to enhance the likelihood of positive outcomes.
- Children with emotional disturbances should be ensured smooth transitions to the adult service system as they reach maturity.
- The rights of children with emotional disturbances should be protected, and effective advocacy efforts for children and youth with emotional disturbances should be promoted.
- Children with emotional disturbances should receive srevice without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, physical disability, or other characteristics, and services should be sensitive, and responsive to cultural differences and special needs.
WHAT IS CARE REVIEW?
Care Review is a sub-committee of the Guilford County Local Collaborative. The Care Review Team is comprised of representation from multiple systems including: Department of Social Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Guardian ad Litem, Guilford County Schools, the Guilford Center LME, and LME/PSO Providers, Community Mental Health Providers and Family Representation.
Care Review is committed to following System of Care Principles, working with Child and Family Teams to help ensure systems issues that are barriers to families receiving appropriate services are being addressed. The primary goal of Care Review is Better Outcomes for Children and Their Families.
What Does Care Review Offer?
- Opportunity for the Child and Family Team to obtain and share additional information about resources
- Opportunity to better understand the mandates and resources of multiple systems
- Opportunity to get another perspective on the situation and create additional solutions
- Opportunity to share what is working in the System of Care and what are the ongoing barriers
- Opportunity to help the Care Review Team provide input to the Local Collaborative on system issues and what needs to be addressed at a local community service level
- The Care Review is not a vehicle for crisis placement, but will work proactively with teams to address crisis situations.
Who is Eligible for Care Review Participation?
A Child/Youth and Family Team plan is eligible for presentation to Care Review when the following criteria have been met:
- The individual for whom the plan was developed meets Mental Health/DD/SAS target population criteria and is involved in multiple systems
- The individual is under the age of 22 years old
- The Child and Family Team members have been participants in their Child and Family Teams and are invited to attend
- All Wright School and Whittaker School referrals
- All out of state placements
- All state funded PRTF referrals
Each presentation is about 40 minutes.
When Does the Care Review Team Meet?
The Care Review Team meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 2:30-5pm @ DSS Building, 1203 Maple Street, Greensboro, NC
How do you make a referral?
Contact:
Lisa Salo
System of Care Coordinator
The Guilford Center
232 N Edgeworth Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Phone: 336-641-4962 Fax: 336-641-3655
Email:lsalo@guilfordcenter.com
Additional information about System of Care is available at the following sites:
- Systems of Care
System of Care SAMHSA
System of Care Information on NC - DHHS Web Site
This Web site provides information about research, technical assistance, evaluation and social marketing for Systems of Care best practices. It also lists valuable resources and links to other sources of information. - Research and Training Center for Family
Support and Children's
Mental Health
rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/
This Web site offers resources and information developed by the Center, which is dedicated to promoting effective community based, culturally competent, family-centered services for families and children who are affected by mental, emotional or behavioral disorders. - National Technical Assistance Center
for Children’s Mental Health
gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/
This site describes training, technical assistance and other activities offered by this Center which is associated with Georgetown University. The Center promotes services for children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for, mental health problems. Their approach is guided by System of Care values and principles.
System of Care Consultation
For additional information about the Guilford Center's System of Care, contact:
Lisa Salo, Best Practice Specialist for Children
232 N. Edgeworth Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Tel: 336.641.4962
Email:lsalo@guilfordcenter.com
Developmental Disabilities Best Practice Consultation
For additional information about Developmental Disabilities Best Practices, contact:
Tammi Grubb-Newton, Developmental Disabilities, Best Practice Specialist
Tel: 336-641-6072
Email: tgrubb@guilfordcenter.com