Important Factors for Evidence-Based Implementation in Child Welfare Settings: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Child welfare agencies are expected to implement research-supported interventions (RSIs) to serve youth and families. However, literature shows that the child welfare system has had less success in implementing RSIs than other fields (i.e., health care, schools, etc.).

Purpose

This systematic review synthesizes the common barriers and facilitators to implementing research-supported interventions with child welfare agencies using implementation frameworks.

Methods

For this systematic review, database searches, and quality assessments of relevant literature produced 24 studies that examined the implementation of RSIs in child welfare using an implementation framework.

Results

The studies were coded for themes and the thematic analysis found several common factors to RSI implementation across child welfare agencies including funding, collaboration with external stakeholders, agency culture, staff burden, leadership support, worker’s buy-in, client resistance, program fit, intervention clarity, supporting staff competency, and implementation teams.

Discussion

The findings provide important information on the most common barriers and facilitators of implementation in child welfare settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Implementation science
• implementation frameworks
• Evidence Based Practices
• implementation strategies
• research-supported interventions child welfare
• foster care
• and social services