Skip to main content
Book cover

Child and Family Advocacy pp 205–215Cite as

A Multilevel Framework for Local Policy Development and Implementation

Part of the Issues in Clinical Child Psychology book series (ICCP)

Abstract

Children and families deserve to have confidence that the services and supports they receive are the most effective interventions available. The concept of evidence-based and promising practices has developed as a strategy for achieving improved mental health outcomes for children and families in recent years, and the implementation of evidence-based and promising practices has grown more influential in the United States (Raghavan, Bright, & Shadoin, 2008; Tanenbaum, 2003). The term evidence-based practices (sometimes called EBPs) refers to prevention or treatment approaches that are supported by documented scientific evidence (e.g., research results from randomized or quasi-experimental designs). Promising practices are those which, although lacking a rigorous base of research evidence, show promising field-based or theoretical support. These might include locally developed services and supports intended to meet the specific strengths and needs of local populations.

Keywords

  • Policy Level
  • Local Policy
  • Staff Development
  • Evaluation Team
  • Communication Domain

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7456-2_14
  • Chapter length: 11 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-1-4614-7456-2
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   149.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The Sustainable Infrastructure Project was established as a collaboration between a university research team from the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Florida and a group of local intervention partners that included funders, administrative authorities, provider agencies, and families for the purpose of developing local policy to support, improve and sustain best practice in local programs. The levels and domains of the policy framework were identified through interview and observational data collected and analyzed over a 3-year period.

References

  • Adelman, H., & Taylor, L. (2002). Safe and secure: Guides to creating safer schools—Guide 7: Fostering school, family and community involvement. Portland, OR: Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA. (2004). An introductory packet on working together: From school-based collaborative teams to school-community higher education connections. Los Angeles, CA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durlak, J. A. (1998). Why program implementation is important. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 17, 5–18.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fagan, A. A., & Mihalic, S. (2003). Strategies for enhancing the adoption of school-based prevention programs: Lessons learned from the Blueprints for Violence Prevention replications of the Life Skills Training program. Journal of Community Psychology, 31(3), 235–253.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network (FMHI Publication #231).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottfredson, D. C., & Gottfredson, G. D. (2002). Quality of school-based prevention programs: Results from a national survey. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 39, 3–35.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Harachi, T. W., Abbott, R. D., Catalano, R. F., Haggerty, K. P., & Fleming, C. B. (1999). Opening the black box: Using process evaluation measures to assess implementation and theory building. American Journal of Community Psychology, 27, 711–731.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M., & Hodges, S. (2001). Theory-based accountability. In M. Hernandez & S. Hodges (Eds.), Developing outcome strategies in children’s mental health (pp. 21–40). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M., & Hodges, S. (2003). Building upon a theory of change for systems of care. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 11(1), 19–26.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., & Israel, N. (2012). “If we’re going to change things, it has to be systemic:” systems change in children’s mental health. American Journal of Community Psychology, 49(3–4), 526–37. doi:10.1007/s10464-012-9491-0.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Mazza, J., Vaughn, B., Van Dyke, M., Mowery, D., et al. (2007). Phase I report (Developing sustainable infrastructure in support of quality field-based practice series, FMHI # 248–2). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • IP-RISP. (2006). Interventions and practice research infrastructure program. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-441.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubisch, A. C., Fulbright-Anderson, K., & Connell, J. P. (1998). Evaluating community initiatives: A progress report. In A. C. Kubisch, K. Fulbright-Anderson, & J. P. Connell (Eds.), New approaches to evaluating community initiatives: Theory, measurement and analysis (Vol. 2, pp. 1–13). Washington, DC: The Aspen Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. (2010). Health Resources and Service Administration. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from: http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/homevisiting/

  • Mihalic, S. F., & Irwin, K. (2003). Blueprints for violence prevention: From research to real-world settings—factors influencing the successful replication of model programs. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 1(4), 307–329.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Moseley, J. L., & Hastings, N. B. (2005). Implementation: The forgotten link on the intervention chain. Performance Improvement, 44(4), 8–14.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • NREPP. (2012). National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from: http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/

  • O’Toole, L., & Montjoy, R. (1984). Interorganizational policy implementation: A theoretical perspective. Public Administration Review, 44(6), 491–503.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. Q. (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Percival, G. (2009). Exploring the influence of local policy networks on the implementation of drug policy reform: The case of California’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 19(4), 795–815.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ploeg, J., Davies, B., Edwards, N., Gifford, W., & Miller, P. E. (2007). Factors influencing best-practice guideline implementation: Lessons learned from administrators, nursing staff, and project leaders. Wordviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 4(4), 210–219.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, E. (2004). Leverage points for the implementaion of evidencce-based practice. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 4(3), 227–242.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Raghavan, R., Bright, C. L., & Shadoin, A. L. (2008). Toward a policy ecology of implementation of evidence-based practices in public mental health settings. Implementation Science, 3, 26.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Science of Dissemination and Implementation: Research at the Crossroads. (2012). Conference sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, March 19–20, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from: http://conferences.thehillgroup.com/obssr/di2012/about.html

  • Sustainable Infrastructure Project. (2007). Developing sustainable infrastructure in support of quality field-based practice. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from: http://cfs.cbcs.usf.edu/projects-research/detail.cfm?id=375

  • Tanenbaum, S. (2003). Evidence-based practice in mental health: Practical weaknesses meet political strengths. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2, 287–301.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, C. (1995). Nothing as practical as good theory. In J. P. Connell (Ed.), New approaches to evaluating community initiatives: Concepts, methods and contexts (Vol. 1). Washington, DC: Aspen Institute.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Training, Research, Education, and Demonstration, Department of Child and Family Studies, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MHC 2437, Tampa, FL, 33612-3807, USA

    Sharon Hodges Ph.D., M.B.A. & Kathleen Ferreira Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Sharon Hodges Ph.D., M.B.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kathleen Ferreira Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sharon Hodges Ph.D., M.B.A. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. Child, Family, and Community, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32816, Florida, USA

    Anne McDonald Culp

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hodges, S., Ferreira, K. (2013). A Multilevel Framework for Local Policy Development and Implementation. In: Culp, A. (eds) Child and Family Advocacy. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7456-2_14

Download citation