1994

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) published Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research, which presented a focused research agenda, with recommendations on how to develop effective intervention programs, create a cadre of prevention researchers, and improve coordination among federal agencies.

1996

The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder, with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, designed and launched a national violence prevention initiative called Blueprints for Violence Prevention to identify effective violence prevention programs.

1997

As part of a model programs initiative, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created the National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parent, Educators, and Community Leaders, which includes examples of research-based drug abuse prevention programs.

1998

The National Research Council (NRC) and IOM held a workshop on adolescent decision making and its implications for prevention programs; the workshop report summarized issues raised related to the design and implementation of prevention programs for youth.

The National Advisory Mental Health Council’s Workgroup on Mental Disorder Prevention Research of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) released Priorities for Prevention Research at NIMH.

The Promising Practices Network (PPN) was launched by a partnership between four state-level intermediary organizations with the goal of encouraging a shift toward results-oriented policy and practice by providing easier access to evidence-based information via the Internet. The site, which is now administered by RAND, provides information about “what works” to improve the lives of children, youth, and families. Programs are reviewed and assigned to one of the evidence level categories (proven, promising, proven/promising, and screened).

1999

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General was issued to address mental health and mental illness across the life span, focusing attention on the role of mental health, including prevention of disorders, in the lives of individuals, communities, and the nation.