Exploring County-Level Resources Influencing Evidence-Based Practices and Treatment Uptake in Behavioral Health...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Criminal Justice

Background:

• Evidence-Based Practices and Treatments (EBPTs) are vital for improving behavioral health outcomes.
• High costs are a significant barrier to the implementation and sustainability of EBPTs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between county resources and the availability of EBPTs for individuals in the criminal-legal system.
• To identify predictors of evidence-based programs (EBPs) and evidence-based treatments (EBTs) within criminal justice settings.

Main Methods:

• Poisson count regression models were used to analyze data from 519 U.S. counties.
• Models predicted the availability of different types and costs of EBPTs, including criminal justice EBPs (CJ-EBPs) and EBTs.

Main Results:

• Larger counties, fewer individuals receiving behavioral health services, increased funding, grants, skilled staff, Medicaid expansion, and Stepping-Up initiative participation predicted more EBPs.
• Stepping-Up participation and Medicaid expansion were key predictors for medium and minimal-cost CJ-EBPs.

Conclusions:

• Existing staff resources and prior grant history significantly influence the availability of CJ-EBPs and EBTs.
• Enhancing county staffing, especially with peer support, may increase the availability of EBPs and EBTs.