Conceptualizing Implementation Practice Capacity in Community-Based Organizations Delivering Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Services

Due to the significant prevalence of mental and substance use disorders in the United States, the push for the development and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in behavioral health has risen exponentially in the last 30 years. Community-based organizations (CBOs) (i.e., self-governing and/or not-for-profit) have been recognized as important providers of behavioral health services. However, there are gaps in the literature surrounding CBO implementation capacity—ability to adopt, implement, and sustain an EBP- and capacity training initiatives (e.g., training in data-based decision-making) that specifically target CBOs and implementation practice. The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess how individuals working within Florida CBOs conceptualize implementation practice capacity and what is needed to reach adequate capacity to utilize an EBP. This qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews with eight administrators and nine practitioners currently employed by CBOs who deliver evidence-based behavioral health services (N = 17). Results showed certain implementation practice characteristics such as leadership, culture/climate, collaboration/communication, data-based decision-making and evaluation, and funding were all important areas of implementation practice capacity. Implications for future research focused on conceptualizing and building implementation practice capacity within the context of community behavioral health settings will be discussed.