Evidence-Based Prevention Curricula
Evidence-based prevention programs have been developed, tested and found to be effective in decreasing rates of substance abuse and other problem behaviors.
Evidence-based prevention programs are also cost effective, according to Washington State Institute for Public Policy Report: Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth, September 2004. Estimates on the dollars saved for every dollar spent for Model programs in northeastern states range from $7.82 to $55.84.
A DMHAS statewide priority continues to be to apply science to practice, consistent with national trends requiring that public funds be used to support interventions that have strong evidence of effectiveness. DMHAS requires the adoption of these programs by DMHAS-funded prevention service providers.
DMHAS Promotes Model (Evidence-Based Prevention) Programs Endorsed by SAMHSA
Model Programs are defined as well-implemented, well-evaluated programs. The programs evaluated and rigorously reviewed by the original National Registry of Effective Programs (NREP) were identified and promoted utilizing the principles listed below. Developers, whose programs have the capacity to become Model Programs, have coordinated and agreed with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide quality materials, training, and technical assistance for nationwide implementation. Model Programs score at least 4.0 on a 5-point scale on Integrity and Utility, based on the NREP review process.
More recently, SAMHSA redesigned their approach to evaluating programs and began focusing on individual outcomes rather than overall ratings of a program. The result is the new National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) which provides a much broader look at programs that may provide you with excellent tools for your community to address its mental health and substance abuse problems.
Model Programs: are prevention programs that have been rigorously evaluated and have repeated demonstrations of positive outcomes.*
Best Practices: are strategies, activities, or approaches that have been shown through research and evaluation to be effective in the prevention and/or delay of substance abuse.
Promising Approaches: are programs for which the level of certainty from available evidence is too low to support generalized conclusions, but for which there is some basis for predicting that future research could support such conclusions.
