1. Guidance for Selecting Evidence-Based Strategies

Selecting Best-fit Programs and Practices: Guidance for Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners

Substance misuse and related behavioral health problems such as injury, addiction, and overdose are pressing personal and public health concerns. To successfully address these problems in states, tribes, jurisdictions, and communities, prevention planners need information about the effectiveness of available programs and practices. They also need to know how to determine which options have the greatest potential to work well in their unique settings and how to proceed if no viable options are available. To help meet these needs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed this guidance document, Selecting Best-Fit Programs and Practices: Guidance for Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners.

You can also access this document at: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/
files/ebp_prevention_guidance_
document_241.pdf

OhioMHAS Prevention Services Guidance Document

Prevention in Ohio is grounded in the public health model, which focuses on improving the well-being of populations. Public health draws on a science base that is multi-disciplinary and engages the entire community through the social-ecological model. Prevention aims to reduce underlying risk factors that increase the likelihood of mental, emotional and behavioral health disorders (MEB) and simultaneously to promote protective factors to decrease MEB health disorders. MEB health disorders include but are not limited to: substance use disorders, mental illness, suicide, problem gambling, etc.

This document demonstrates the continuum of prevention based services for MEB health disorders and contains definitions and explanations of how the six prevention strategies can be used to support comprehensive prevention efforts. It also provides guidance for funding and includes a chart showing the prevention activities under each strategy, what funding source can be utilized for each service, and takes into consideration the requirements of different funding sources for prevention services. Ohio’s prevention system is fortunate to have several funding sources to provide prevention services; however, it is imperative to keep in mind the selection of services provided and the funding source depends highly upon the population you are serving and the desired outcome.

Source:
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Office of Prevention & Wellness; August, 2016

Identifying and Selecting Evidence-Based Interventions for Substance Abuse Prevention

The purpose of this guidance is to assist State and community planners in applying the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to identify and select evidence-based interventions that address local needs and reduce substance abuse problems. This document describes the Strategic Prevention Framework, a five-step planning process to guide states and communities in substance misuse prevention activities. It promotes implementing evidence-based practices for prevention in communities across the country.

Citation:
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Identifying and Selecting Evidence-Based Interventions Revised Guidance Document for the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant Program. HHS Pub. No. (SMA)09-4205. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009.

Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse – A resource from the Ohio Department of Education

Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse is intended to empower Ohio’s districts with the knowledge, tools and resources that will help them identify, select and implement evidence-based strategies for improving student success.

Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse brings together in one place resources from across multiple clearinghouses; and

Every evidence-based strategy included in Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse is labeled as meeting the criteria for ESSA’s Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 evidence-based definitions.

The search function within Ohio's Evidence-Based Clearinghouse allows practitioners to find evidence-based strategies aligned with the content focus areas (e.g., Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, School Climate and Supports) emphasized within the Ohio Improvement Process.

The evidence-based strategies included in Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse are not an exhaustive list of evidence-based strategies; the Clearinghouse will continue to grow to meet practitioners’ needs. A team of subject matter experts and researchers will continue to curate evidence-based strategies with a focus on quality and relevance to Ohio’s specific priorities and needs.

You can access Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse at: https://essa.chrr.ohio-state.edu/home

Focus on
Prevention

Focus on Prevention uses SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) as a guide to assist communities in planning and implementing prevention strategies, programs, and events. The SPF is a five-step process used to help states and communities reduce risk-taking behaviors, promote resilience, and prevent problem behaviors in individuals and families across the life span. The SPF framework applies to any prevention planning process that addresses substance misuse and mental health issues.

Citation:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Focus on Prevention. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 10–4120. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Revised 2017.

Guidance to States and School Systems on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Schools

SAMHSA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new joint informational bulletin, Guidance to States and School Systems on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Schools. This guidance includes examples of approaches for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) related treatment services in schools, and describes some of the Medicaid state plan benefits and other Medicaid authorities that states may use to cover mental health and SUD related treatment services. Additionally, the guidance summarizes best practice models to facilitate implementation of quality, evidence-based comprehensive mental health and SUD related services for students.