"Historically our agency faced three challenges, time, money, and size. Dedicating staff time to plan, implement, and monitor all the activities that go along with becoming evidence-based was an obvious challenge for any agency. Having the financial means to dedicate to the processes, goes without saying. Finally, maintaining office miles apart added additional challenges. During this time, our state reorganized the mental health systems.
Becoming an EBO has benefited us in numerous ways. We've overcome challenges by using our strategic plan. Our mission and vision (from EBP Action Plan) keep us focused on realistic and achievable activities. Most importantly, as agency leadership, we are committed to being an evidence-based organization. It has helped us plan and sustains existing programs. It has also empowered us with successful grant writing, building a donor base for fund development, and recruiting and hiring qualified staff.Â
Most importantly though, we have seen successful outcomes for our clients and their families. It is exciting to hear our staff now talk about success stories with their clients, interest in new training opportunities, and future programs and services related to emerging research and best practices.
We will continue to grow in terms of the number of clients served, continue to train staff in new evidence-based programs and services, as well as, expand services into additional locations. We are well-positioned to handle changes related to Medicaid expansion, the ACA, and other unknowns related to behavioral health care. We know that the use of technology and social media will continue to influence how we do business and provide services. As an agency, we want to continue to build our capacity in using data and outcomes to guide and inform decision-making.
This program is an exciting journey and we cannot imagine providing services any other way! We continue to learn and challenge ourselves to be better. Please consider joining us in this effort!"
