Hiring and Leading Staff in Evidence-Based Practices
It is critical for behavioral health agencies to use and sustain evidence-based practices (EBPs). Through a series of instruction, self-study and group activities, this 4-week series will show how to facilitate EBPs through hiring and leadership practices. The first two weeks will cover best practices for hiring staff who may be more likely to deliver evidence-based care. The series will show how to use behavioral interviewing to identify knowledge, skills or values that are consistent with an agency’s goals. One behavioral exercise will show how to identify applicants who may have an aptitude for reflective listening, a key ingredient in the delivery of EBPs. The second two weeks will discuss key elements of leadership that support effective implementation of EBPs. The series will show how to assess the degree to which a leader is perceived by staff as proactive, knowledgeable, supportive, and perseverant with regard to their implementation of EBPs. Identifying strong and weak leadership areas can help agencies retain staff, strengthen EBP implementation, and improve the overall quality of care.
WHEN:
Every Tuesday, October 7 – November 4, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm Mountain / 2:00 – 3:30 pm Central
OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the process of behavioral interviewing, including mapping of competencies to interview questions, asking questions, and rating responses
- Show how to use a behavioral exercise to gauge comfort with reflective listening
- Identify characteristics of leadership that support EBP and organizational climate
- Demonstrate how the Implementation Leadership Scale can be used to provide feedback on leadership that supports EBP
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Behavioral health agency administration who interview and hire Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Recovery Service providers in HHS Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)
- Behavioral health agency administration interested in the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs)
PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT & EXPECTATIONS
- Attend a live 1-hour Orientation Session on October 7, 2025 at 1pm MDT/2pm CDT.
- Commit to 4-weeks of training for 1.5 hours weekly from October 14 – November 4, 2025
- Complete weekly self-study learning activities
- Access to appropriate technology to utilize online videoconferencing platform (i.e., an internet connection, webcam, computer/tablet, speakers, and microphone)
- Be prepared and actively engage while on camera during the scheduled series time.
TRAINER(S)/FACILITATOR(S):
- Scott Walters, PhD
THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPATE: The first 35 registrants will receive a Mountain Plains ATTC waiver that covers the entire $350 cost of participation. Once the 35 spots have been filled, registration will be closed. Due to limited enrollment, if you cannot commit to the full requirements, please defer this opportunity to others. Registration is not transferable to another person.
Please Note: Registrants enrolled in this series are expected to attend the orientation and Week 1 sessions. If you cannot attend these sessions, you will forfeit your attendance. In addition, it is expected that participants will have access to the appropriate technology by Week 1 to be able to fully participate and be on camera during the session. This is not a webinar series and active participation is required to gain/improve skills.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: The series has been approved for a total of 11 contact hours (10 hours content instruction and one-hour orientation session) through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 8.5 CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming. This series applies to the following Counselor Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Development. No credit will be awarded for non-attendance or partial attendance.
The knowledge and skills learned should be applied within the framework of any applicable Operating and/or Credentialing regulations in your State of practice.
QUESTIONS: Please contact mpattc@casat.org with questions about this series
ACCESSIBILITY: If any accommodation is needed, please contact us at mpattc@casat.org. Requests should be made as soon as possible and preferably at least two weeks prior to the start of the series.