The strategic vision of MST Services is to see evidence-based programs become the standard of care for youth with serious behavioral problems. Improving youth outcomes is our sole objective. To this end, our “prime directive” is to make each and every decision based upon what is the “right thing to do” from a clinical and outcome-oriented perspective.
For our vision to be realized, a broad array of evidence-based practices (EBPs) must not only be developed but also be proven to be viable and effective in real-world settings. To this end, MST Services has always focused on developing collaborative relationships with other EBP model developers and their associated technology transport organizations. For example, in the area of treatments for anti-social and delinquent behaviors, MST, Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT) stand out in the scientific peer-reviewed literature as having superior outcomes. MST Services collaborates strongly with the technology transport groups associated with MTFC and FFT: TFC Consultants, Inc. (www.mtfc.com) and FFT, LLC (www.fftinc.com) respectively. We will continue to pursue and support these types of collaborative relationships as a part of our broader strategic vision.
In terms of MST implementation, our current strategic efforts are centered on building and acquiring the resources required to support the accelerating growth of MST programs worldwide. Our current strategic plan focuses on a 10-times growth model, which helps us to envision the resources that will be required as we shift from supporting hundreds of MST programs to supporting thousands of programs. A key element in this area is the development of a network of “partner” organizations that are committed to the transport of the MST model with full integrity and fidelity. These MST Network Partner organizations employ staff fully trained in MST program development as well as in clinical staff training and development. MST Services maintains with each MST Network Partner organization an ongoing working relationship focused on staff development, quality improvement and quality assurance activities. Click here to view a listing of the current MST Network Partner organizations.
On a final note, it is critical to emphasize the need for the development of a new body of research on the transport and use (implementation) of EBPs on a broad scale. In this area, MST Services is working to support EBP model developers and the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) at the University of South Florida in their efforts to promote this emerging area of research. NIRN is under the leadership of Drs. Dean Fixsen and Karen Blasé (www.nirn.fmhi.usf.edu) and its mission is to close the gap between science and service by improving the science and practice of implementation in relation to evidence-based programs and practices.