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Evidence-based practices improve outcomes, reduce costs, and strengthen system performance. This article explores why inconsistent adoption across health plans persists and what it takes to scale EBPs effectively across behavioral health systems.

Across Sacramento County, behavioral health providers are navigating a new reality—supporting communities experiencing fear, trauma, and barriers to care shaped by immigration policy, misinformation, and systemic inequities.

Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) are the foundation of the behavioral healthcare system in the US today. There is a robust bank of research and data on these practices and they are rigorously evaluated and proven to work. Yet, for these powerful tools to truly serve all, especially historically underserved communities, such as those in rural areas, lower-income households, people of color and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others) communities, a crucial step is often overlooked: cultural adaptation.

Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) are essential to behavioral health care, yet research guiding these models has often underrepresented BIPOC communities. Community Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs) help bridge this gap by integrating cultural wisdom, lived experience, and community-driven approaches—ensuring care is more trusted, relevant, and effective for the diverse populations served across California.

Record overdose deaths and rising substance use disorders highlight the need for more effective, culturally responsive care. Culturally Defined Evidence-Based Practices (CDEPs) integrate community knowledge, culture, and lived experience into treatment, helping improve engagement, reduce stigma, and strengthen outcomes for diverse populations affected by SUD.

CIBHS is the Third-Party Administrator for the CYBHI Scaling Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Practices grant program, we use implementation science within Learning Collaboratives to support nearly 400 grantees. By integrating equity and organizational readiness, the initiative helps expand effective EBP and CDEP adoption to improve behavioral health access and outcomes for children, youth (0–25), and families across California.

The Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) are steadfast in our commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering equitable access to behavioral health services and care for all.