What types of systems and facilities have implemented the model?

The model used by Think:Kids has been implemented in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry units, residential treatment facilities, group homes, juvenile justice centers, day treatment programs, therapeutic day schools, and general education schools and classrooms.

Can systems implement the model without direct training and supervision?

We do provide such training and ongoing supervision to systems and facilities, but it is not always necessary. Many systems have implemented the model entirely on their own with significant success. In such cases, strong commitment to and knowledge of the model from leadership is crucial as the culture shift that is usually required is not without its bumps in the road! Please contact us if you would like to discuss the possibility of Think:Kids providing training or consultation to your program or facility.

How long does it take to implement the model?

You guessed it - it depends! Some systems have much more of a paradigm shift to navigate when implementing the model, which tends to make it a longer-term proposition. Substantive change - especially in large systems - usually takes some time. Click here to download Implementation Guidelines to see what is involved in adopting the approach with high fidelity to the model. On this same page, you'll find the Plan B Tracking Sheet which can help facilitate communication amongst staff using the model.

Is their research to support the model as an evidenced-based practice?

The first randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the model to the standard of care (emphasizing rewards and punishments) in an outpatient setting for children with multiple psychiatric disorders demonstrated it to be in all cases equivalent and in some superior. Follow-up data shows treatment gains maintained in the problem-solving group as opposed to the standard of care. The model has also been shown to dramatically reduce or completely eliminate mechanical, physical and chemical restraints and locked-door seclusion in inpatient psychiatry units, residential treatment faciilties and schools throughout North America. Click here to read more about the evidence base behind the approach and to download articles.