Dr. Cameo Stanick seeks to answer the question: “How do we keep our evidence-based practice investment sustainable in the long term even when our funding runs out or changes?” Drawing on the EPIS framework (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainability), Dr. Stanick situates sustainability as an integral part of the full implementation process rather than a final step. She highlights her application of two key strategies within her own organization and in her consulting work. First, resource mapping—developing a clear picture of the internal
and external factors that influence the selection, uptake, and retention of an evidence-based practice. Second, prioritizing train-the-trainer models and other built-in sustainability mechanisms when selecting and implementing practices, ensuring that knowledge and capacity can be maintained over time.

Resources

1. Aarons, G. A., Hurlburt, M., & Horwitz, S. M. (2011). Advancing a conceptual model of evidence-based practice implementation in public service sectors. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-010-0327-7 [2]
2. Center for Public Health Systems Science. (2023). Short Program Sustainability Assessment Tool v2. Washington University, Brown School. https://www.sustaintool.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Short-PSATv2-with... [3]
3. Helfrich, C. D., Li, Y.-F., Sharp, N. D., & Sales, A. E. (2009). Organizational readiness to change assessment (ORCA)*: Development of an instrument based on the Promoting Action on Research in Health Services (PARIHS) framework. Implementation Science, 4, Article 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-38 [4]
4. Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) Champion Subscale can be accessed via an annotated version of the ORCA here: https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1186%2F1748-5908-4-38/M... [5]