Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Implementation Science Checklist Series – Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

Criminal justice and behavioral health agencies are increasingly adopting evidence-based practices (EBPs) to advance behavior change among the people they serve. While EBPs can help reduce recidivism and improve public health and safety, their success is often hindered by lack of capacity to implement them properly. But as people who have behavioral health needs continue to encounter criminal justice and behavioral health systems across the country, there is a greater need to ensure that these EBPs are implemented with fidelity. By taking a research-based approach to implementation, known as implementation science, agencies can improve or strengthen the EBPs they deliver for people in the criminal justice system who have behavioral health needs.