Tutorial 9 · Implementing and Evaluating ECMHC Services |
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Using/adapting Evidence-Based PracticesThe important trend toward evidence-based practices (EBP’s) in early childhood mental health is aimed at designing and delivering mental health interventions that successfully attain the intended outcomes for young children and families. There is an expanding evidence base that ECMHC is an effective strategy for promoting social and emotional health, preventing the onset of behavioral issues, and addressing challenging behaviors in young children in early childhood settings. The research also indicates positive benefits to families and ECE providers (Brennan et al, 2008; Perry et al, 2006; Perry et al, 2010). Including evidence based practices as part of consultation and intervention has many challenges, including how to include and sufficiently address the application of these practices when working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families (Isaacs et al, 2005). According to Samuels et al, (2009) in the publication Toolkit for Modifying Evidence-Based Practice to Increase Cultural Competence, it is important to consider how to make the most of evidence-based practices to address social-emotional and mental health concerns of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. They suggest that existing practices can be made more culturally competent through:
In the accompanying toolkit, Schudrich (2010) provides a checklist and workbook to guide the selection and modification process. Some examples of both accommodating and adapting evidence-based practices, might include making an evidence-based intervention such as The Incredible Years or a parenting program accessible and meaningful for new immigrant children and families. According to a recent “think tank” report by Finello, et al (2010), there are a number of EBP’s for use with preschool age children, but a more limited number designed for children under age three. More efforts must be made to evaluate promising practices that have potential to become research validated EBPs. In addition, research-based methodologies need to be examined and selected in the context of cultural values and other social factors, such as class, race, ethnicity, and community To this end, several important questions must be addressed when considering culturally competent, evidence-based practices in early childhood mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention:
The responses to these questions are critical to implementing evidence-based practices in ECE settings. Early childhood mental health consultants can facilitate the process by:
(Adapted from Finello, et al (2010), Samuels, et al (2009), and Schudrich (2010))
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This website was made possible by grant number 90YD0268 from the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views or policies of the funding agency nor does publication in any way constitute an endorsement by the funding agency. |
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