Important Factors for Evidence-Based Implementation in Child Welfare Settings: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Child Welfare Research
• Implementation Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Child welfare agencies often struggle to adopt evidence-based practices.
• Implementation frameworks provide structured approaches to guide intervention adoption.
• Understanding barriers and facilitators is crucial for successful research-supported intervention (RSI) implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize common barriers and facilitators to implementing RSIs in child welfare settings.
• To identify key factors influencing the adoption of RSIs using established implementation frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of relevant literature.
• Quality assessment of 24 selected studies.
• Thematic analysis of coded study findings.

Main Results:

• Common facilitators include adequate funding, strong leadership support, effective collaboration, clear intervention protocols, and dedicated implementation teams.
• Identified barriers encompass staff burden, client resistance, and poor program fit within agency culture.
• Worker buy-in and robust staff competency support are critical for successful implementation.

Conclusions:

• This review highlights critical factors for successful RSI implementation in child welfare.
• Findings offer actionable insights for agencies aiming to integrate evidence-based practices.
• Addressing identified barriers and leveraging facilitators can improve intervention outcomes.