NIRN Plays Important Role in SAMHSA's Inaugural Science to Service Award Initiative
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| SAMHSA's Science to Service 2007 Award representatives. |
With coordination from FMHI’s National Research Implementation Network, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded 20 organizations its inaugural Science to Service Awards. Community-based organizations and/or coalitions were recognized for implementing an evidence-based program to improve their communities and the lives of individuals. Awards were given in five categories: substance abuse prevention; treatment of substance abuse and recovery support services; mental health promotion; treatment of mental illness and recovery support services; and co-occurring disorders.
The awards are part of SAMHSA’s mission to build resilience and facilitate recovery for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders by facilitating knowledge dissemination, promoting the rapid implementation of effective, evidenced-based mental health and substance abuse interventions into routine clinical and community-based practice, and strengthening feedback from the field to influence and frame services research programs.
NIRN co-director Dean Fixsen and staff developed the foundations for the awards, coordinated the review of applications, and arranged site visits to the selected community-based organizations and coalitions.
“This project fit in perfectly with our mission to ensure that the voices and experiences of diverse communities and consumers influence and guide implementation efforts as they relate to consumer and family issues, diversity, access, and effectiveness,” said Dr. Fixsen. “With the variety of successful program information now available, communities who are creating, researching and taking to scale new initiatives can now have a ‘head start.’”
View the SAMHSA announcement that identifies all 2007 award winners.