EBP Exchange - UMB School of Social Work

A very useful paper from  Daniel Squires  and colleagues in the esteemed Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (JSAT) builds on work in 54 communiity SAT agencies over a 4 year period, using a strategy called Science to Service Laboratory (SSL).  The authors found that first, adopter agencies voiced a clear preference for a menu of evidence supported interventions (ESIs). As a result they began to incorporate additional evidence ESIs, including cognitive–behavior therapy, MI, and Twelve-step Facilitation, in addition to CM. To support these expanded practice offerings, the second focal area developed was a more comprehensive supervision and follow-up support component that trains supervisors and links practitioners with clinical feedback resources following didactic training. (THe authors note that all of these efforts are being designed consistent with the three-tiered approach advanced by Miller et al’s 1006 paper in JCCP that studies efforts to teach motivational interviewing.) The authors also note the deleterious effects of worker turnover on the implementation of ESIs at the agency level–yet another reason for investing in workforce development efforts.  The citation for the article and the Miller citation are below. Squires, D. D., Gumbley, S. J., & Storti, S. A. (2008). Training substance abuse treatment organizations to adopt evidence-based practices: The Addiction Technology Transfer Center of New England Science to Service Laboratory. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 34(3), 293-301.