Statewide dissemination of an evidence-based practice using Breakthrough Series Collaboratives

• Breakthrough Series Collaboratives (BSCs) are promising for disseminating evidence-based practices (EBPs).
• Community-based providers view BSCs favorably as a model for learning an EBP.
• BSCs can result in significant improvements in outcomes for children and good fidelity.
• Comparison of BSCs with other dissemination strategies is needed.

The emerging field of implementation science has begun to inform the increasing efforts to disseminate evidence-based practices. The Breakthrough Series Collaborative (BSC) model was used to disseminate trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) across Connecticut over three years. Participants were 179 outpatient clinical staff across 16 community-based agencies that implemented TF-CBT. A total of 588 children and families received TF-CBT. Children completing treatment showed significant reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms. Quantitative and qualitative data about the BSC model are presented. The BSC is a promising approach for dissemination of evidence-based practices, and recommendations for additional research on BSCs and sustainment of evidence-based practices are made.