Evidence-Based Practice in School Mental Health explains the nuts and bolts of infusing research throughout school-based practice following guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Education. In clear, step-by-step detail, it provides the conceptual tools needed to locate, evaluate, and apply evidence in order to demonstrate positive outcomes for students. With its vivid case examples and engaging exercises, this volume offers a pragmatic approach to informing practice decisions with appropriate research to ensure that students receive the best service. More than a mere catalog of interventions that will soon be outdated, the chapters amount to an easy-to-follow road map to evidence-based practice (EBP), explaining how to ask the right questions; search for evidence; appraise the literature and avoid the pitfalls of web-based information; adapt and apply evidence in a developmentally and culturally sensitive way; and evaluate the results. Detailed examples from practice and adaptable sample spreadsheets to evaluate students' progress make the goal of accountability attainable for school professionals who otherwise would struggle to find the time, resources, and support to utilize research in their work. Addressing school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors with their needs and constraints foremost in mind, this inviting guide helps readers master the essential whys and hows of EBP so that they can successfully apply it in their own schools.
clear, engaging writing shows readers how to apply basic guidelines to their unique settings, reproducible forms and checklists can be used in practice immediately, useful as a primer for those just learning about EBP and also as a refresher course for experienced practitioners, glossary, web resources, and suggested readings designed to help readers enhance and continue their learning process. Book jacket.