You’ve probably run into Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in a lot more places lately—like contracts, Medicaid requirements, and certification documents. EBPs are fast becoming more important to your funding, care, and reimbursement processes. That’s because EBPs are interventions that have been tested and proven to deliver outcomes, and that kind of predictability is what funders and regulatory bodies are looking for when deciding where to spend money.
Demonstrating that you’re maintaining fidelity to any given EBP, or multiple EBPs, takes systems and tools that can track what happens from intake to outcomes—and document every step all along the way.
We’ve gathered research and guidance from our in-house policy and tech experts to help your organization understand EBPs and prepare to deliver them consistently.
In this article you’ll learn:
- What evidence-based practices are, why they’re important, and where they come from
- The importance of measurement in EBP
- What these measurements mean for your operations
- What evidence-based practice really looks like in practice
What Are Evidence-Based Practices?
Evidence-based practices have been around since the 1990s and emerged from “evidence-based medicine.” While you might find best practices and evidence-based practices coexisting, they’re not interchangeable.
Best practices are interventions or approaches that are commonly accepted and prescribed as being correct or most effective.
EBPs are structured, focused procedures that have been designed to elicit specific outcomes and have been rigorously measured and proven to produce those outcomes in real life practice.
EBPs integrate the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and a person-based approach to making informed decisions about care or interventions.
And they’re not just for healthcare. They’re commonly used in Housing, Child Welfare, Supported Employment and other human services fields.
Why Behavioral Health EBPs Matter
More and more funders now require the use of Evidence-Based Practices in behavioral health. In today’s unpredictable funding landscape, being ready to deliver EBPs—no matter where your next grant comes from—is a smart move.
But funding isn’t the only reason EBPs matter. They improve the quality of care and outcomes your organization delivers. They also reduce the risk of reimbursement or compliance issues.
To deliver this type of care, your software should support your staff in following both best practices and evidence-based ones. And it should make it easy to track how consistently those practices are being delivered—which is what we’re here to talk about.
First, when we say “Evidence-Based Practice,” what exactly do we mean? The answer depends on your service area, but there are common principles found in all EBPs.
Measurement-Based Care (MBC): The Core of EBP
Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is the core evidence-based clinical approach where standardized measures are routinely and systematically used to guide decision-making throughout treatment.
MBC isn’t guided solely by clinical judgment or periodic reviews. Instead, data on symptoms, functioning, and outcomes are collected at regular intervals—and used to adjust treatment in real time.
Decades of research, including randomized controlled trials, support MBC. Studies show that routine monitoring of outcomes leads to:
- Improved clinical outcomes
- Faster symptom improvement
- Higher engagement and retention
- More timely treatment adjustments
Because MBC is the guiding principle behind all evidence-based practices, it’s fundamental to all of the EBPs endorsed by:
- The APA
- SAMHSA
- VA/DoD
- AHRQ
- CMS
Core Components of Measurement-Based Care
What makes MBC an Evidence-Based Practice is its clear, replicable structure. It’s not just about what treatment is delivered—it’s about how care is guided and adjusted over time, through:
1. Routine Measurement
Standardized tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, substance use scales, functioning measures) are administered:
- At intake
- At regular intervals
- At clinically meaningful transition points
2. Feedback Loops
Results are reviewed by clinicians, shared with individuals receiving care (when appropriate), and compared over time to track progress and trends.
MBC helps providers and clients stay grounded in the data. It’s a strong introduction to EBPs because it reinforces that evidence-based care is defined by its process, not just its interventions. It demonstrates that EBPs:
- Are rooted in research
- Have defined components and expectations
- Require fidelity to a process
- Emphasize accountability and outcomes
- Support continuous learning and improvement
MBC can be applied across many other EBPs, making it a foundational, flexible approach that cuts across diagnoses and populations.
3. Data-Informed Clinical Decision-Making
Treatment plans are adjusted when:
- Symptoms aren’t improving
- Functioning declines
- Risk increases or decreases
- Client goals change
Adjustments may involve changing the intervention, frequency, intensity, or focus of care.
4. Ongoing Documentation
Decisions, outcomes, and changes in care are documented throughout the treatment process—creating a continuous clinical narrative instead of a collection of isolated notes.
Examples of Evidence-Based Practices
EBPs in Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Evidence-based practice definitions are ever-evolving, but the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers lists several that they endorse, including:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Experiential Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
To name just a few.
EBPs In Mental Health
According to the Behavioral Health Network, key tenets of EBPs in mental health are:
- Collaboration between clients and providers
- Clients have agency in practicing the skills that are taught
- Concrete goals are key to successful outcomes
- Treatment should be evidence-based (EBT), and applied by someone with a good understanding of how EBT was developed
- Drawing from the client’s strengths helps them feel more connected and capable
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a common evidence-based mental health modality, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies stresses these three pillars:
- The latest research
- The client’s own values and preferences
- The therapist’s clinical experience
EBPs also apply to wraparound services like nutrition and workforce development. These services are essential to treatment, and are core supports that help clients lead healthier, more independent lives.
EBPs in Food Banking / Nutrition Assistance
Evidence-based practices in food banking increasingly center on client empowerment. A person-centered model called “client choice” allows individuals to select their own food, promoting dignity, reduce waste, and improve client satisfaction. When combined with client education on nutrition and food preparation guidance, this approach has been shown to support healthier, diet-related outcomes.
These positive outcomes aren’t just about what’s available, but also how it’s presented. Display strategies like product placement, signage, and layout can nudge client decisions in healthier directions without removing the element of choice.
EBPs in Workforce Development & Vocational Rehabilitation
For vocational rehabilitation and workforce programs, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) sets the required outcome measures. Beyond those, the Education-to-Workforce (E-W) Indicator Framework offers strong nonpartisan, cross-sector evidence linking education experiences to job readiness and long-term employment success.
Another well-established evidence-based practice is Individual Placement and Support (IPS), which helps people with serious mental illness find and keep competitive employment. IPS focuses on rapid job placement, close coordination with behavioral health services, and ongoing support.
How Do You Operationalize EBPs?
Beyond your state’s standards, there are several well-regarded EBP models that can help your organization deliver services more consistently and measure them more effectively.
Key EBP Models
Sackett’s 5-Step Model (Foundational)
Sackett’s model is a foundational approach to implementing Evidence-Based Practices in clinical settings. It follows five clear steps:
- Ask a focused clinical question.
- Acquire the best available evidence.
- Appraise evidence for quality and relevance.
- Apply it in practice—always centering the patient’s values.
- Assess outcomes and adjust as needed.
This model is time-tested, flexible, and widely respected across disciplines.
Learn more about Sackett’s Model
Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice
The Iowa Model is a systems-oriented approach that guides teams from identifying a clinical problem or opportunity to piloting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based changes. It emphasizes team collaboration and client engagement throughout the process.
Learn more about the Iowa Model
Where Do EBPs Come From?
Your organization likely tracks reporting requirements and outcomes that matter to your staff and community. These are important, but they don’t always match the specific metrics funders require.
At the federal level, SAMHSA defines and maintains a searchable registry of approved practices: the Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center.
However, federal priorities can shift. Some EBPs survive administration changes while others are reversed or deprioritized. For example, the executive stance on the Housing First program was reversed despite strong evidence of the program’s effectiveness supporting unhoused people.
That’s why, for many organizations, the most practical starting point is at the state level. State regulatory agencies often define their own standards for EBPs, and their definitions carry more weight in day-to-day program funding and compliance.
Below are several state-level lists and resources to help you align with local expectations:
New Mexico Evidence-Based Practices (Center for Innovation)
California’s Evidence-Based Practices (DHCS)
Kansas’s Evidence-Based Practices for Behavioral Health (KDADS)
Missouri’s Evidence-Based Practices for Mental Health (DMH)
Virginia’s Evidence-Based Practices (DBHDS)
Washington State’s EBP Reporting Guide for Children’s Mental Health (EBPI)
What EBP Implementation Looks Like: CA
California has moved well beyond EBPs as recommendations. They’re putting them to work with clear requirements and deadlines as part of their statewide behavioral health transformation. For behavioral health organizations nationwide, California’s approach offers a live case study on how to implement EBPs.
Here’s how they’re rolling it out and what other states and providers can take away.
New Documentation Standards
Starting July of 2026, Medi-Cal providers must meet updated documentation standards that support the delivery and accountability of EBPs. These new standards raise the bar, shifting from basic compliance to documentation that clearly shows:
✔️ Alignment between client needs and the EBPs that meet them
✔️ Consistent use of standardized screening and assessment tools
✔️ Ongoing progress monitoring tied to measurable outcomes
✔️ Service justification that reflects EBP-specific models of care
For providers, this means documentation cannot be an afterthought. Systems, workflows, and training must all support documentation that tells a coherent clinical story—one that holds up under audit and reflects the purpose of EBPs.
Funding That Prioritizes Evidence-Based Care
California’s Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) backs its EBP expectations with funding requirements. Counties must allocate 35% of BHSA funding to Full-Service Partnership (FSP) programs—and those FSPs must include specific EBPs as core service models.
The required EBPs include:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): Intensive, team-based care for individuals with serious mental illness
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT): A justice-system adaptation of ACT for individuals with mental health needs and legal involvement
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS): A supported employment model designed for people with behavioral health challenges
California’s structure shows that EBPs are foundational to how services are delivered, with funding explicitly tied to their use.
For providers, sustainability increasingly depends on the ability to implement, document, and demonstrate fidelity to these practices.
Cooking to the Recipe: How the Right Software Supports Measurement
When you’re using and measuring EBPs, you’ll want a software that easily allows you to add assessments and reports so you can manage the measurable details of your service delivery.
“Your software solution should support structured service delivery, making it easy to follow the ‘recipe’ set by your chosen Evidence-Based Practices.” – Juliette Palmer, Senior Regulatory Intelligence Analyst, Radicle Health
That starts with built-in tools—like structured assessments and reminders—that reduce manual work and make reporting easier down the line.
It should also help your team balance documentation requirements while still delivering human-centered service.
Look for features like:
✔️ Built-in assessments that can be scheduled and repeated to track progress
✔️ Structured service codes and interventions that align with your EBPs
✔️ Goal-tracking tools linked to service plans
✔️ Person-centered language and configurable templates embedded into daily workflows
✔️ Real-time documentation tools that support concurrent notetaking
✔️ Longitudinal views that show how goals and assessment results evolve over time
Conclusion
Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) are quickly becoming the norm in behavioral health—the way to more sustainable, defensible client care and program funding.
Meeting this expectation requires consistent measurement, clear documentation, and care that adapts to each client’s unique needs. That may mean rethinking some day-to-day operations—but it’s a shift that positions your practice for success in an evolving landscape.
Interested in seeing how Radicle Health’s behavioral health EHRs support structured care delivery? Grab 15 minutes on our calendar so we can chat about it.
