Leveraging Implementation Science
Implementation science is the study of methods and strategies to promote the uptake of evidence-based practices, and it offers a framework for schools to systematically deploy, assess, and refine their comprehensive school-based mental health programs. This approach ensures that interventions are not only evidence-based but also contextually adapted to meet the unique needs of each school community. It includes:
- Strategic Planning: Using clear plans to pick the best methods for mental health programs and make them fit what each school needs.
- Capacity Building: Giving school staff, district admin, and families the training and help they need to feel equipped to lead mental health initiatives and serve as nurturing adults.
- Evaluation and Adaptation: Always checking how well the mental health programs are working and making changes based on what students need, to keep improving them.
Below are some models commonly used in the school community.
Developed by the State Implementation and Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices Center (SISEP) and the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN)
https://implementation.fpg.unc.edu/
This hub is is designed to help anyone that is actively implementing evidence-informed programs and practices.
Developed by the Collaborative for Implementation Practice (UNC School of Social Work)
Homepage
This organization provides implementation support and provides extensive resources to support you in implementing evidence-informed programs and practices.
Developed by the State Implementation and Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices
https://implementation.fpg.unc.edu/resource/implementation-improvement-science-overview-webinar/
This webinar is a great place to start for those new to implementation science, as it provides a high-level and easy-to-understand overview of implementation science.
Action Planning & SMARTIE Goals
Effective implementation of comprehensive school-based mental health initiatives requires clear and measurable goals, an actionable plan for implementation, and an understanding of what resources already in place can be built upon. This includes:
- Action Planning: Developing a clear step-by-step plan to achieve specific objectives – including what actions need to be taken, by whom, and by when.
- Goal Setting: Defining clear, measurable, and achievable goals to help articulate what success looks like and guide efforts toward the desired outcomes.
- Resource Mapping: Identifying and organizing resources available to support the plan – including everything from financial resources and materials to human skills and time.
Developed by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
https://chronicdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NACDD-Action-Plan-Template.docx
Download this action plan template and customize as needed to meet your program needs.
Developed by the State Implementation and Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices
Implementation Stages: Action Plan
This template action plan aligns with the the active implementation framework to support implementation science.
Developed by CASEL
Developing SMARTIE Goals for SEL (OST)
From SMART to SMARTIE: How to Embed Inclusion and Equity in Your Goals (developed by the Management Center)
From SMART to SMARTIE: How to Embed Inclusion and Equity in Your Goals
- This resource highlights tips to incorporate equity and inclusion into SMART goals and shares specific examples
SMARTIE Goals Worksheet (developed by the Management Center)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u8QyjtUuAxlHO0c1DeHYu5O8BT3e-wL9TpaWiV5CZGQ/edit
- Download an editable copy of this worksheet to write your own SMARTIE goals.
Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions
Choosing the right evidence-based interventions for comprehensive school-based mental health programs ensures the use of proven, effective methods that benefit students’ mental health and academic success and contribute to an overall positive school environment.
- Research What Works: Start by looking into different mental health programs or strategies that have been studied and shown to help students.
- Match Needs to Programs: Think about the specific needs of your students and school, and choose a program that is supported by the data.
- Plan for Training and Support: Ensure teachers and staff are trained to implement programming with fidelity.
Developed by Youth.gov
https://youth.gov/evidence-innovation/selecting-programs
Guidance for selecting evidence-based programs including information and resources for how to interpret and understand the evidence, align with existing initiatives, and more.
Developed by the Midwest Comprehensive Center at the American Institutes for Research
https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/Evidence-Clearinghouse-Guide-508.pdf
An inventory of various databases, a description of what each database provides, and associated resources.
Developed by the Institute of Education Sciences
Online portal of resources, including systematic reviews of existing research, intervention reports, practice guides, and comparison tools, all designed to improve academic outcomes for students.
Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/ebp
A comprehensive search tool for evidence-based practices (EBPs) in the field of mental health and substance abuse providing access to a wide variety of resources, including research studies, guidelines, toolkits, and more.
Developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs.
Developed by the United States Department of Education
https://bestpracticesclearinghouse.ed.gov/index.html
Search this database to discover best practices, resource guides and more related to safe and healthy environments.
Funding & Sustainability
Securing funding to support comprehensive school-based mental health initiatives contributes to the overall sustainability of the programs. Funding for school-based mental health can come in a variety of forms and often requires a strategic approach to grant writing, collaborative partnerships, and awareness of existing funding mechanisms at the local, state, and federal level.
Developed by Effective School Solutions
This funding guide highlights mechanisms for funding school-based mental health programs to ensure continuous and sustainable programming.
Developed by the Education Commission of the States
https://www.ecs.org/wp-content/uploads/State-Funding-for-Student-Mental-Health.pdf
This policy brief summarizes various state funding opportunities for student mental health programs and services.
Developed by SchoolSafety.Gov
https://www.schoolsafety.gov/grants-finder-tool
Use this grant finder tool to find available grants for various mental health and school safety-related funding opportunities.
Developed by Healthy Schools Campaign
School Medicaid Database: Text-searchable collection of publicly available documents pertaining to school Medicaid programs (as of 2022) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It was developed to assist state education agencies (SEAs) and state Medicaid administrators in creating resources to support school districts with expanding Medicaid reimbursement for school health services.
https://healthystudentspromisingfutures.org/resources/school-medicaid-database/
School Medicaid Expansion: How (and How Many) States Have Taken Action to Increase School Health Access and Funding: This brief provides an overview of actions states have taken to increase access and funding for school health initiatives along with associated resources and documents.
https://healthystudentspromisingfutures.org/resources/state-status-school-medicaid-expansion-2023/
School Medicaid Programs Map: Searchable map highlighting where each state is in its effort to expand Medicaid programming in schools.
https://healthystudentspromisingfutures.org/map-school-medicaid-programs/
A Guide to Expanding Medicaid-Funded School Health Programs: An in-depth guide exploring strategies for stakeholder success in expanding Medicaid-funded school health programs.
School Medicaid Guidance: Brief answering questions around what policymakers and advocates need to know to ensure school communities are positioned to leverage federal opportunities.
Developed by The Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children at Boston College
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/centers/city-connects/Publications/Financing%20Brief.pdf
This brief highlights federal, state, and philanthropic funds that support a variety of student supports, including health and well-being.