This report contains considerable discussion of public behavioral health best practices and preferred systems for children and adults in Arizona. However, best practices cannot be implemented, and certainly cannot thrive, without considerable organizational support. At all levels of the system the organizational and administrative infrastructure must not only support best practices - it must become the source of energy and direction for continuous improvement of best practices. The following are some important criteria for best practice management of the public behavioral health system.

• State, regional, and local components of the public behavioral health system are effectively and efficiently managed.
• There is system-wide implementation of consistent and comprehensive continuous quality improvement (CQI) practices grounded in consumer-based outcomes, satisfaction, and performance measures.
• There is assurance of cultural and linguistic competence throughout the system.
• There is consistent implementation of utilization management criteria and evidence- based clinical protocols and clinical pathways at every program/service site in the public behavioral health system.
• There is meaningful inclusion of consumers and family members at all levels and in all functions within the public behavioral health system.