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. 2023;47(3):157-175.
doi: 10.1080/23303131.2023.2194940. Epub 2023 Apr 12.

Site-level evidence-based practice accreditation: A qualitative exploration using institutional theory

Rebecca Lengnick Hall  1 , Cathleen Elizabeth Willging  2 , Gregory A Aarons  3   4 , Kendal Reeder  5
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Site-level evidence-based practice accreditation: A qualitative exploration using institutional theory

Rebecca Lengnick Hall et al. Hum Serv Organ Manag Leadersh Gov. 2023.

Abstract

Accreditation is gaining ground in human services as leaders find ways to demonstrate the quality and legitimacy of services. This study examined site-level accreditation for SafeCare®, an evidence-based practice designed to prevent and reduce child maltreatment. We leveraged two waves of qualitative data to explore the perspectives of trainers, organizational and system leaders, and program developers who participated in an initial rollout of a site-level accreditation process for SafeCare. Institutional theory was used to frame accreditation's potential benefits, burden, and impact. Findings highlight specific considerations for the human service environment, including the inherent resource scarcity, interdependence among organizations, and the impact of cost and slow-moving bureaucratic processes.

Keywords: EBP implementation; accreditation; institutional theory.

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Conflict of interest statement

This work was funded by National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH072961, PI: Aarons, T32MH019960; PI: Cabassa, P50MH113662; PI: Hoagwood, R25MH080916; PI: Proctor).The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. The second author is on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance journal.

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