"Creative Financing": Funding Evidence-Based Interventions in Human Service Systems

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Organizational Behavior
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Implementation and sustainment of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) are influenced by organizational (inner) and external (outer) contexts.
• Funding is a key outer-context factor that significantly impacts the inner context of human service organizations.
• Limited understanding exists on how funding arrangements affect EBI sustainment in child welfare and behavioral health agencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how stakeholders negotiate diverse and shifting funding arrangements over time.
• To understand the impact of funding on the implementation and sustainment of EBIs in human service systems.
• To identify critical funding elements for successful EBI sustainment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing interview and focus group data.
• Involved stakeholders at system, organizational, and provider levels.
• Data collected from 11 human service systems across two states.

Main Results:

• Diverse funding streams can enhance organizational flexibility and transformation.
• A dedicated funding source for EBIs is essential for their successful implementation.
• Strategic negotiation of funding arrangements is a key process for sustainment.

Conclusions:

• Dedicated funding is paramount for the long-term sustainment of EBIs.
• Understanding funding dynamics is critical for effective EBI implementation in human services.
• Policy and practice should prioritize stable, dedicated funding for EBIs.