Building Capacity of State Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalitions to Implement Science‐Based Approaches

Abstract

A central question in adolescent reproductive health circles is how to effectively disseminate research to practitioners in a way that supports them in using the most scientifically sound and effective programming. In 2002, the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tackled this question by funding three national-level and five state-level organizations focused on adolescent pregnancy prevention to promote the use of science-based programs and approaches. Healthy Teen Network (HTN) and Education, Training and Research Associates (ETR), two national organizations, have partnered under this CDC funding to implement an effective model for capacity building. This paper provides an overview of the approaches used by HTN and ETR in capacity building using a seven-step process. We describe how we modified the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF) for science-based innovations to apply to capacity-building for adolescent reproductive health (ARH) programs, and how we developed relevant, sustainable training and technical support. We conclude by reviewing some of the results of this training, and discuss the future work that will likely continue to advance the science behind effective dissemination of ARH research to practice.

Encouraging Innovation in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs

“…Lessons learned related to the future implementation of these programs include the cost and time of program implementation, training of facilitators and staff, using hybrid approaches to tailor activities for participants, and incorporating culturally relevant stories/examples and values (Barbee, Cunningham, van Zyl, Antle, & Langley, 2016;Abe, Barker, Chan & Eucogco, 2016;Bull et al, 2016;Piotrowski & Hedeker, 2016;Downs et al, 2004). However, counter to the concept of rapidly capturing and prototyping ideas to programs (Wilson & Rosenberg, 1988), teen pregnancy prevention models have been slow in their uptake by organizations and facilitators outside government funded grantees (Rolleri, Wilson, Paluzzi & Sedivy, 2008). While these approaches address content gaps in existing programs, a review of emerging promising programs indicates a majority of these emerging teen pregnancy prevention programs will still be traditional in design and approach.…”

A State Agency–University Partnership for Translational Research and the Dissemination of Evidence-Based Prevention and Intervention

“…It is in fact its own emerging science, and very challenging to apply effectively. Substantial science related to community coalitions and community-university partnerships has emerged in recent years, identifying some of the predictors of partnership success and sustainability (Arthur et al 2010;Brown et al 2010;Greenberg et al 2007;Nowell 2009;Rolleri et al 2008). This emerging knowledge base, coupled with case studies such as the Pennsylvania collaboration presented here, can better inform research-policy partnerships at the state level.…”

Researchers, Practitioners, and Funders: Using the Framework to Get Us on the Same Page

“…That is, is it sustainable? Am J Community Psychol (2008) Rolleri et al (2008) describe their work in creating the Adolescent Reproductive Health Prevention Support System. This system was designed to bridge those engaged in conducting and synthesizing research on the effectiveness of adolescent pregnancy preventive interventions with state coalitions charged with facilitating the delivery of these interventions.…”