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.