Improving quality of health care by building capacity and supporting successful innovation
The JBS Sustainable Systems Change Center works to measurably improve the quality of care for adults and youth at risk of or experiencing mental or substance use disorders and for adults with chronic and co-occurring conditions. We do this by building workforce capacity in all types of organizations that serve marginalized and vulnerable populations—federal, state, and community agencies as well as academic institutions and medical associations. We facilitate the adoption of evidence-based practices using strategies founded on implementation science, evidence-based learning, and grounded theories of systems change.
Much of our work is aimed at integration of behavioral health into primary care. We are also leaders in creating practice transformation models that address head on the impediments to health equity, including implicit bias in physical and behavioral health care.
Our Expertise
Strategic planning
Training and coaching on evidence-based practices
Cultural adaptation of practice models
Needs assessment
Technical assistance to support systems change
Data collection, implementation, and monitoring
New Jersey Evidence-Based Practices Institute
In 2020, New Jersey launched a program to systematically and sustainably integrate two proven clinical techniques—motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—into selected provider organizations offering behavioral health services. The objective was to improve treatment outcomes for clients with substance use disorders. Supporting this project, we provided skills trainings and fidelity monitoring for licensed therapists and other direct care staff. We also offered weekly consultation to leaders, directors, managers, and supervisors.
Real Results: Creating Systems Change to Support Adoption of Evidence-Based Counseling
To date, we have trained, coached, and guided 17 safety-net behavioral health providers in the adoption of evidence-based treatment. Our work has included both skills-based clinician training and coaching for clinical supervisors to enhance their skills in supporting fidelity of practice. Agency leadership has also participated in our executive coaching, which supports systems change to sustain delivery of evidence-based practices.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly amended our original plan to conduct onsite visits at sites offering substance use disorder treatment. We effectively refocused our efforts to conduct virtual visits with executive and clinical leadership site participants across the state.
New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services launched the Evidence-Based Practices Initiative (NJ EBPI).
