Redefining Research Priorities for Youth and Family Behavioral Health in the United States: Results from an Expert Consensus Process

Decision-makers in U.S. public behavioral health systems need reliable evidence on effective policies and practices to effectively navigate a landscape characterized by resource constraints and workforce challenges. To identify the highest priority information needs and research priorities of the youth behavioral health field, we engaged 60 research producers and researcher users in an expert consensus process that included two phases: (1) a pre-summit survey and (2) an in-person summit that included a Nominal Group Process (NGP). Participants included academic researchers, state behavioral health and Medicaid decision-makers, youth and family advocacy leaders, federal funders, and providers from 22 states. Results of the survey identified workforce development (41% of respondents), return on investment analysis (33%), and cross-system collaboration (33%) as top priorities. During the expert summit, participants reviewed survey results, discussed priority information needs, and engaged in an NGP that generated and ranked 191 recommendations. Highest-ranked information needs included evidence-based policy and financing options for cross-system interventions (16 votes), peer support best practices (16 votes), and rapid service scaling methodologies (15 votes). Research users were more likely than research producers to prioritize research on specific populations, including young children, youth with intellectual/developmental disorders, and transition-aged youth. Both groups prioritized research on effective financing strategies, cross-system collaboration, and workforce development. Results provide a research agenda for the U.S. youth behavioral health field that prioritizes expansion of the knowledge base on effective system and policy strategies and greater collaboration between researcher producers and research users to meet real-world information needs.