Examining Health Systems Grantee Partnerships With Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities to Support Tobacco-Related...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Implementation Science
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Integrating tobacco use screening and treatment into behavioral health settings is crucial for individuals with mental health conditions.
• The New York (NY) Tobacco Control Program utilizes regional grantees to assist facilities in adopting tobacco cessation policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe how state-funded grantees supported Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities (BHTFs) in adopting and implementing tobacco cessation systems changes.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to policy adoption and implementation in NY BHTFs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing interviews with nine regional grantee staff and 15 staff members from four facilities.
• Utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to analyze implementation processes.

Main Results:

• Grantees provided technical assistance, EHR materials, financial incentives, and nicotine replacement therapy.
• Facilitators included champions, committed leadership, and supportive regulatory environments.
• Barriers comprised staffing shortages, turnover, and competing treatment priorities.

Conclusions:

• Implementation science provides a framework for understanding how grantees support tobacco cessation policy adoption in BHTFs.
• Findings can inform future strategies to enhance tobacco cessation systems change in behavioral health settings.