Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. Tailoring care, programs, and services to the cultural, social, gender, and other socio-demographic contexts of individuals served yields positive outcomes. Communities and individuals benefit when they receive behavioral health services that are clinically proven effective, equitable, and culturally appropriate. This guide focuses on adapting evidence-based practices (EBPs) for under-resourced populations who experience obstacles in obtaining healthcare services because of their socio-demographic characteristics and the research supporting such adaptations. The guide provides examples of research on adapted EBPs for mental health and substance use disorders for clients with a wide range of demographic characteristics. The guide provides considerations and strategies for community leaders and advocates, behavioral health practitioners, administrators, and organizational decision-makers. This course is on adaptation of evidence-based practices for populations with limited resources and is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of adaptation of evidence-based practices for populations with limited resources. The course material includes a literature review of interventions and research. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: SAMHSA Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the adaptation of evidence-based practices for populations with limited resources. Specifically, a professional will: Describe current research findings on adaptations of evidence-based practices. Identify guidance for adapting evidence-based practices. Recognize examples of cultural adaptations of evidence-based practices. Citation: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations. Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series. https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/adapting-evidence-based-practices-under-resourced-populations