Community Support Programs Branch

Second Generation Evidence-Based Practices KITs

The First Generation of Evidence-Based Practices KITs was initiated in 1998 when the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation convened a panel of researchers, clinicians, administrators, consumers, and family advocates to evaluate the research and determine which practices demonstrated positive outcomes in multiple research studies. The panel identified six evidence-based practices:

Illness management and recovery
Supported employment
Family psychoeducation
Assertive community treatment
Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders (substance use and mental illness)
Medication management.

The KITs, developed for each EBP, were piloted in 2003 and subsequent field evaluations have helped refine them. The contributions of many organizations, researchers, providers, administrators, policymakers, consumers, and family members give these EBP KITs their strength and vitality.

In 2004, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a 5-year contract to Abt Associates to develop Evidence-Based Practices KITs for the following areas:

Supported Housing
Services for older adults
Consumer-Operated Service Programs
Children’s services.

In 2006, SAMHSA added funding to develop an EBP KIT on mental health promotions and prevention.

Also in 2006, under a separate contract, SAMHSA added funding to develop the Resource Guide on Supported Education.

Additional KITS are expected to be added to this series.