# 1/2 Effectiveness of a Multi-Level Implementation Strategy for ASD Interventions

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $715,865

## Abstract

12. PROJECT SUMMARY
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children have autism spectrum disorder (CDC,
2014) and the annual cost of ASD in the U.S.
is estimated to be $236 billion. Evidence-based interventions
have been developed and demonstrate effectiveness in improving child outcomes. However, research on
generalizable methods to scale up these practices in the multiple service systems caring for these children has
been limited and is critical to meet this growing public health need.
We propose to conduct two, coordinated
studies testing the effectiveness of the “Translating Evidence-based Interventions (EBI) for ASD: Multi-Level
Implementation Strategy” (TEAMS) model. TEAMS focuses on improving implementation leadership,
organizational climate, and provider attitudes and motivation in order to improve two key implementation
outcomes – provider training completion and ASD EBI fidelity, and subsequent child outcomes. The TEAMS–
LEAD module applies the LOCI (“Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation”)1 strategies, and
the TEAMS-PROV module applies MI (Motivational Interviewing) strategies to facilitate individual provider and
organizational behavior change. These studies will use a randomized implementation/effectiveness Hybrid,
Type 3, trial. Study #1 will test the TEAMS model with the AIM HI intervention (“An Individualized Mental
Health Intervention for ASD”) in publicly-funded mental health services. Study #2 will test TEAMS with the
CPRT intervention (“Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching”) in education settings. AIM HI and CPRT data
indicate that (1) provider attitudes towards EBI and (2) implementation leadership are promising targets of
implementation interventions. TEAMS will target these specific mechanisms of change. This study will
randomize 37 MH programs and 37 school districts to one of four groups (TEAMS PROV+LEAD; TEAMS-
LEAD; TEAMS-PROV; EBI training only) to test the effectiveness of combining standard, EBI-specific training
with the two TEAMS modules individually and together on multiple implementation outcomes. A dismantling
design will be used to understand the effectiveness of TEAMS and the mechanisms of change across settings
and participants. Implementation outcomes including provider training completion, fidelity and child behavior
change will be examined for 295 MH providers, 295 teachers and 590 children (combined across studies). This
implementation intervention has the potential to increase quality of care for ASD in publicly-funded settings by
improving effectiveness of EBI implementation. The process and modules will be generalizable to multiple
service systems, providers, and interventions, providing broad impact in community services.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9850640
- **Project number:** 5R01MH111950-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** LAUREN BROOKMAN-FRAZEE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $715,865
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9850640

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9850640, 1/2 Effectiveness of a Multi-Level Implementation Strategy for ASD Interventions (5R01MH111950-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9850640. Licensed CC0.

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