IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EVIDENCED-BASED PARENTING PROGRAM IN A COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SETTING

Area of Science:

• Community Mental Health
• Implementation Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Limited literature exists on implementing mental health interventions for vulnerable populations.
• Community-partnered approaches are crucial for tailoring interventions to specific needs.
• Outpatient mental health clinics serving low-income communities face unique implementation challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and pilot an empirically supported intervention for mothers of infants and toddlers in a low-income community mental health clinic.
• To document the adaptation and pilot implementation process using qualitative ethnographic methods.
• To identify key lessons for implementing evidence-based interventions in community settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative ethnographic methods were employed to document the adaptation and pilot implementation.
• An evidence-based intervention, "Mothering from the Inside Out," was adapted.
• Seventeen mothers and their children (0-84 months) participated in the pilot study.

Main Results:

• Formative work is essential for building community relationships and adapting interventions.
• Training and supervision plans must be flexible to accommodate clinic workflow and disruptions.
• An interdisciplinary approach is feasible with clear communication and supervisory support.

Conclusions:

• Successful community implementation of mental health interventions hinges on strong community partnerships and formative adaptation.
• Flexible training, reflective supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration are vital for effective delivery in community mental health settings.
• These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare managers and researchers adapting interventions for community-based settings.