SYMPOSIA

S. Bromley, A. Jaouich, G. Foussias, J. Morin, K. Whittard, S. Gallagher, S. Sockalingam

1) Implementation Approach: Early Psychosis Intervention-Spreading Evidence-based Treatment (EPI-SET) is building on existing Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) communities. Although each EPI program strives to operationalize the Ontario Standards, there is great variability in how multidisciplinary care is coordinated. Building on a large body of practice change, we guide each program site through a facilitated, staged, change process informed by the Active Implementation Framework and the Quality Implementation Framework. Our team (family members, individuals with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, and policy makers) has outlined four stages of implementation including exploration, installation, initial implementation, and full implementation/sustainability. With the help of CAMH’s Provincial System Support Program (PSSP), we are implementing NAVIGATE, an evidence-based EPI model. PSSP works to bring evidence to action in communities across Ontario. Implementation supports geographically align with sites to develop implementation/coaching plans that support the project timelines and site needs, as well as evaluation and knowledge exchange as needed.

2) Scale and Spread: In order to aid the implementation of NAVIGATE in these diverse communities; our team is using tele-videoconferencing through ECHO Ontario Mental Health, a learning collaborative network. We are also using ECHO processes to embed new care into routine practice via a hub and spoke model which provides us with an opportunity to ensure sustainability.

3) Training/changing practice: Our training model involves a similar outline, including U.S. NAVIGATE experts to disseminate the material throughout implementation at the sites, through the use of pre-training calls, in-person training, and post-training calls to support all staff members’ knowledge and comfort with their practice. Training is overseen by a lead director at each site, consistently providing implementation progress, status, and changing practice with their staff.