When organizations implement evidence-based programs, communities thrive, families receive support, and young people feel empowered to reach their full potential. But reaping these transformative rewards requires resources, commitment, money, and more.
So, how do you secure funding for evidence-based programs?
From Medicaid to FFPSA funding and beyond, there's a whole world of financial support for programs aimed at improving lives, especially for young people and their families.
When it comes to funding evidence-based programs, it's like navigating a bustling marketplace – there are plenty of options, but you need to find the right fit. Medicaid, Title IV-E funding, and more may work for your organization.
Medicaid for evidence-based programs offers essential funding streams to bolster initiatives that strengthen family units. Through Medicaid, families gain access to a spectrum of services tailored to their needs, including counseling, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment.
These services play a pivotal role in promoting stability within the home environment. By covering the costs associated with these interventions, Medicaid enables families to access the support they need to navigate challenging circumstances and thrive.
Title IV-E funding offers hope to young people and families facing adversity. This funding, part of the Family First Act (FFPSA), prioritizes evidence-based approaches to prevent the need for out-of-home placements and strengthen family connections.
For example, one evidence-based program FFPSA supports is Multisystemic Therapy (MST). MST offers comprehensive support to at-risk young people and their families, addressing various systems influencing their lives, such as their family, peers, school ecology, and the community in which they reside.
In addition to Medicaid and FFPSA, several other funding streams cater to the needs of young people and juveniles in evidence-based programs. These funding sources may include federal grants, state-level initiatives, and philanthropic contributions to support young people's development, juvenile justice reform, and community-based interventions.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation published a brief outlining federal funding streams capable of backing a continuum of services aimed at preventing children's entry into the child welfare system.
By understanding these various funding streams, child welfare leaders can identify potential partners, align funding sources with desired outcomes, weave together funding sources, and administer services accordingly. Here are three examples from across the country:
Navigating many funding sources requires careful consideration of organizational needs and goals. Organizations must assess their focus areas to align with the most suitable funding stream. This process entails thorough research into eligibility criteria, funding restrictions, and long-term sustainability.
Selecting a suitable evidence-based program model isn't just a matter of preference—it's crucial for meeting the unique needs of the population served.
When it comes to selecting evidence-based programs, organizations must weigh various factors to make informed decisions, for example:
By carefully evaluating these factors, organizations can identify evidence-based programs that meet their population's needs and set them up for long-term success.
Behind every successful evidence-based program lies a robust infrastructure akin to the foundation of a sturdy house. With a solid foundation, programs can maintain effectiveness.
Funding Prevention in Communities outlines six critical infrastructure capacities to fund when implementing and sustaining prevention-focused programming:
Together, these essential components form the backbone of sustainable evidence-based programs, enabling organizations to make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
The Family First Act prioritizes evidence-based approaches to prevent out-of-home placements and strengthen family bonds, aligning seamlessly with the goals of programs like MST.
MST is an intervention for at-risk young people and their families. Sessions are tailored to the individual family’s needs and supports active family involvement. Therapists offer ongoing, intensive support, flexible scheduling, and 24 hours per day, seven days per week on-call availability.
With small caseloads, typically four to six families per therapist, young people and their families receive the personalized attention they deserve. This approach overcomes barriers to accessing services, enhances treatment retention, and provides comprehensive, trauma-informed support.
MST's built-in suite of therapeutic modalities is robust and could include support in the following areas based on individual family needs:
By addressing the multiple systems influencing a young person's life—family, school, and community—MST offers holistic support tailored to individual needs. Moreover, MST can be funded through FFPSA and Medicaid, providing sustainable funding for organizations committed to implementing this impactful program.
The benefits and outcomes of MST speak for themselves:
With FFPSA support, organizations can expand access to MST and unlock its potential to transform the lives of at-risk youth and their families.
Securing funding for evidence-based programs is more than just a financial transaction—it's an investment in the well-being of families and communities. Funding is pivotal in supporting evidence-based programs like MST, enabling organizations to deliver impactful interventions to those they serve.
MST is an evidence-based alternative to incarceration or severe system consequences due to serious externalizing, anti-social, or criminal behaviors. MST effectively treats young people and their families by utilizing a built-in suite of interventions within the home, school, and community settings. Treatment is tailored to the family and their strengths and needs, which could include but is not limited to the following types of therapies: Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Mental Health Services, Peer Ecology Assessment and Intervention, Trauma-informed treatment, and Educational and Vocational Support.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Multisystemic Therapy, contact us here.