Service approaches guided by the best available research and practice-based knowledge including traditional knowledge for culturally appropriate services. Evidence-informed service approaches allow for innovation while incorporating lessons learned from existing research literature and being responsive to cultural backgrounds, community values and individual preferences. Evidence-based practices are practices validated by some form of documented scientific evidence.

Persons or groups who constitute family both in the traditional sense and in a broader sense that includes any configuration of significant others in the past, present or future of the individual who is seeking well being, who can either support or influence the individual’s well being goals. These significant others can include spouses, partners, children, parents, siblings, friends, Elders or other people active in the individual’s social support system.