Training and Implementation Associates (TIA) aims to close the gap between evidence-based interventions and their widespread use by front line counselors. TIA accomplishes this goal by incorporating recent advances in implementation science, adaptive training methods, and technology that facilitates the use of innovative strategies.
TIA places special emphasis on culturally informed intervention strategies that target underserved populations and seeks to impact public health by making training in evidence-based treatments and high-quality implementation less costly and more effective.
Dr. Daniel Santisteban has developed and tested interventions for underserved and vulnerable populations. He is the developer of a multicomponent family therapy (Culturally Informed and Flexible Family-based Treatment for Adolescents, CIFFTA) that has been designed specifically for minority adolescents and families. This treatment has considerable evidence supporting its efficacy and is listed in the National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices.
Dr. David Santisteban conducted some of the seminal academic work in the field of culturally appropriate family intervention strategies. He later transitioned to the private sector where his work focused on the identification of required job competencies, defining high quality delivery of these competencies, and the utilization of multimedia vignettes to assess these competencies and provide feedback aimed at performance improvement.
Our Consultant Network
TIA has a strong network of consultants at a national and international level. These are individuals who are highly accomplished in their field and who provide TIA with specific expertise. Here we highlight our collaboration with two of our senior consultants.
Maite Mena, Psy.D.
Senior Training and Implementation Consultant
Dr. Mena is the co-developer of CIFFTA and works to ensure that EBTs are sensitive to the unique experiences of diverse groups. Dr. Mena has worked with Dr. Daniel Santisteban (TIA’s co-founder) for the past 20 years, collaborating on a number of projects and related publications.
Dr. Mena’s research expertise includes study design and treatment implementation; she has played a central role in making cultural adaptations to family-based treatment. Dr. Mena also has expertise in clinical work, teaching, and training. She regularly conducts large training events on CIFFTA and Motivational Interviewing.
Richard C. Cervantes, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant
Dr. Cervantes’ area of expertise incorporates both assessment and prevention science to study health disparities in the areas of Hispanic mental health, family acculturation stress, and development of culturally informed behavioral health promotion programs for youth and families. He has been funded and successfully completed Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects, supervised large scale multisite data collection with Latino immigrants, and most recently completed a study to operationalize and measure acculturation stress in Hispanic adults through the development of the Hispanic Stress Inventory2.
Dr. Cervantes’ work has also included research leading to the development of prevention programs for youth, aimed to enhance family resilience and family coping skills.
