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National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention

Evidence Based Programs

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Evidence-based programs or interventions (EBPs/EBIs), also called science- or research-based programs, are programs proven through research to achieve stated goals and objectives. According to the SS/HS RFP, evidence-based refers to “[t]he extent to which an intervention is supported by scientific data to indicate its effectiveness. Evidence-based programs have met high standards of safety, efficacy, and effectiveness.”

Differences in culturally-based needs and values pose a major challenge to the use of EBPs. Adapting EBPs for different cultural groups requires program staff to stay true to the program’s strategies and principles while simultaneously addressing the needs of a different target population. Significant changes in EBP content or implementation strategies may change the outcomes.

EBP Fact Sheets

SS/HS grantees are required to select a range of evidence-based interventions, programs, or practices to implement across the universal, selected, and indicated continuum. Addressing the five required elements and appropriate to their population needs, each grantee selects EBPs to support the goals and objectives they have identified. Each year the National Center reviews the EBPs being implemented by new and current grantees. Fact sheets are prepared for the EBPs most frequently selected by SS/HS grantees. These fact sheets are intended to provide support to grantees as they assist staff and systems with successful EBP implementation. Browse the National Center's EBP Fact Sheets. 

EBP Registries

Several different registries classify EBPs according to effectiveness.

National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices

The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable database of interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed this resource to help people, agencies, and organizations implement programs and practices in their communities. Developers elect to participate in this voluntary, self-nominating system. Independent reviewers review and rate the interventions on two types of ratings: (1) Quality of Research and (2) Readiness for Dissemination; both are rated on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0.

SAMHSA has also developed the following classifications of programs that show evidence-based merit:

  • Promising programs—programs provide positive outcomes and are considered scientifically defensible, but have not been shown to have sufficient rigor and/or consistently positive outcomes; must score at least a 3.33 on a 5-point scale on Integrity and Unity
  • Effective programs—programs are well implemented and evaluated and produce consistently positive results; must score at least a 4.0 on a 5-point scale on Integrity and Unity
  • Model programs—programs are well implemented and evaluated and provide training, technical assistance, and materials from program developers for national implementation; must score at least a 4.0 on a 5-point scale on Integrity and Unity

Blueprints Model Programs

The Blueprints Model Programs were selected from a review of over 600 violence prevention programs. The site provides a brief summary, program background, a video segment describing each program, and contact information. The Web site also includes a Matrix of Programs that identifies federal and private agencies, as well as select researchers, who have rated the effectiveness of prevention programs designed to reduce or eliminate problem behaviors, such as delinquency, aggression, violence, substance use, school behavioral problems, and risk factors identified as predictive of these problems. This document describes the set of criteria that has been identified for program inclusion by each agency and also describes the focus of each work (e.g., school-based programs, violence programs, substance abuse programs). The Matrix of Programs lists approximately 300 programs that have been rated by each agency as effective. It also shows how various programs have been rated across different agencies.

Promising Practices Network (PPN)

The Promising Practices Network (PPN) is operated by the RAND Corporation, with guidance from organizational and individual PPN members to help service providers and policymakers work toward improved outcomes for children. The site helps decision-makers understand what approaches and programs have demonstrated improved outcomes in various areas, such as child health and education. The PPN site features descriptions of evaluated programs, organized by four major outcome areas and subcategorized by indicators within each outcome area. Programs may also be found by topic area, evidence level, or alphabetically. Programs may be related to more than one outcome area, indicator, or topic.