Category: Implementation & Adaptation

This document expands on the Traffic Light Model for adapting evidence-based programs (EBPs), explaining why, when, and how to make adaptations while preserving effectiveness. It identifies common reasons that lead to red-light (avoid), yellow-light (cautious), and green-light (generally acceptable) adaptations and offers proactive strategies – such as using team planning, connecting with developers and technical assistance providers, and aligning program selection with community needs – to prevent harmful changes. The guide also provides practical examples of adaptations in each category and emphasizes evaluating any approved changes in collaboration with implementation support to maintain program integrity.

This document provides practical guidance on planning for and maintaining the long-term continuation of evidence-based prevention programs in community settings. It explains why sustainability matters for lasting public health impact, outlines key factors and strategies that support sustained implementation (such as leadership support, ongoing funding, and integration into existing systems), and offers tools for assessing and strengthening a program’s capacity to endure beyond initial implementation. This guidance helps implementation teams move from project start-up to durable practice that continues to benefit communities over time.

This document is a self-report fidelity monitoring checklist that facilitators of an evidence-based program can complete after sessions to assess how closely the program was delivered as intended, covering areas such as adherence to core components, dosage/exposure, quality of delivery, and participant engagement. It is intended for use when a program does not provide its own fidelity tool and helps teams monitor and improve implementation quality over time.

This document is an observer-report fidelity monitoring checklist designed for a third-party observer to systematically record whether an evidence-based program was delivered as intended, including adherence to core components, facilitator behaviors, pacing, and participant engagement. Its purpose is to support objective fidelity assessment during implementation so teams can identify strengths and areas for improvement and ensure high-quality delivery.

This link provides access to several evidence-based programs listed on the Blueprints or Healthy Youth Development registry, including the Blues Program, Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program, Strengthening Families Program 10-14, Project Towards No Drug Abuse, Positive Action, and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS).

This document describes the Fidelity Verification Process for the Blues Program, an evidence-based program listed on the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development registry. The program aims to reduce negative thinking and increase engagement in pleasant activities to prevent the onset and persistence of depression among high school students with depressive symptoms. This document outlines procedures for determining whether the intervention is delivered with adequate quality and adherence to the program model. It includes a structured rating scale and checklist addressing recruitment, training, dosage, fidelity monitoring, model adherence, and outcome measurement to support high-quality implementation and continuous improvement.

These documents
describe the fidelity monitoring process for Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST), an evidence-based,
classroom-based universal prevention program listed on the Blueprints for Healthy Youth
Development registry and designed to prevent adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use, as
well as violence. The Level 1, 2, and 3 fidelity checklists provide structured observation tools to
assess whether each stage of the curriculum is delivered as intended. Across all levels, the
checklists guide observers in rating adherence to core lesson components, facilitator practices,
and student engagement, supporting consistent, high-quality implementation and continuous
improvement across the full middle school sequence.

This document outlines the fidelity monitoring process for SFP 10–14, a family-based prevention program listed on the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development registry that reduces behavior problems and substance use by strengthening parenting skills, parent–child relationships, and family communication. It clarifies the role of the fidelity observer, details how to use session-specific observation forms (including room setup, curriculum adherence, facilitator delivery, and participant engagement) and provides practical guidance for preparing for and completing observations to support accurate fidelity monitoring and continuous quality improvement.

This packet contains family observation forms for the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) designed to guide fidelity monitoring across its 7-week curriculum. Each form provides structured items for observers to record whether key activities, facilitator behaviors, and family engagement occurred as intended during each session, supporting consistent delivery and quality implementation.