Working to improve the health &
well-being of children & youth
The Evidence-Based Practice Institute (EBPI) is a partnership between the University of Washington and the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA), housed at CoLab. We promote the use of evidence-based practices in Washington State through training, research, workforce development, and data sharing.
The EBPI defines evidence based practice as the integration of the best available research along with clinical expertise in the context of patient/family characteristics, culture, and preferences. Providers can report evidence-based practice when they apply clinical elements from treatment approaches shown to be effective in rigorous research studies. These elements are intended to be applied flexibly to accommodate client culture and preferences, as informed by training organizations, supervisors, cultural diversity consultants, and clinicians’ informed judgment. Our reporting guide allows for this flexibility by using a common elements, rather than manual-based, approach to reporting the use of evidence-based care. This approach assumes that clinicians are conducting treatment in a manner conducive to therapeutic rapport, client-directed care, and cultural humility.
EBPI was initially established as an independent institute in 2007 by the Washington State Legislature House Bill 1088, with the goal of strengthening the quality of public children's behavioral healthcare. Now, EBPI is housed under the broader umbrella organization of CoLab and continues to serve as a statewide resource to promote high quality mental health services for children and youth in Washington State.
