Why implementing evidence-based practices is a good choice
Let’s start by being honest—it’s hard to implement Evidence-based Practices (EBPs). However, keep in mind, it’s even harder to start an unscripted practice even with the most well-intentioned service providers, rely on the limited scope of implementation expertise in many jurisdictions or shoot in the dark hoping for outcomes that may not even target the needs in your local community.
Just for argument’s sake, consider several alternatives. Without implementing an evidence-based practice, most jurisdictions or agencies will be doing business as usual. In other words, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is a common definition of insanity. Agencies and jurisdictions might have great ideas about helping youth that never get to implementation because there is no real plan. (Most evidence-based practices come with a plan.) They may have a few stellar “go-to” clinicians, but what happens when they go? Individual clinician’s practices often can’t be replicated. (EBPs give you options for sustaining good practices with many different practitioners over time.)
Jurisdictions probably won’t know the longer-term outcomes of the youth in their care at the individual case level and certainly not at the aggregate system-impact level. (Most evidence-based practices come with data-collection tools and useful ways to monitor outcomes for practitioners and systems.)
