Strengthening the Power of Evidence-Based Prevention in Cooperative Extension: A Capacity-Building Framework for Translation Science-Driven Behavioral Health

Abstract

Background Translation science entails application of information gained through scientific research to practices intended to improve prevention and public health. The outreach arm of Land-Grant Universities—the Cooperative Extension System—is uniquely poised to facilitate this translation process and contribute to resolution of current substance misuse and other behavioral health issues. Objective This paper summarizes selected literatures that guided the conceptualization of a framework for building Extension’s capacity to enhance the translation process, in order to better address substance misuse and other behavioral health issues. Method Peer-reviewed literature was obtained from journals representing varied disciplines including medicine, public health, education, and psychology. Journals for Extension professionals were a prominent source of relevant literature. The literature review informed the identification of relevant practice gaps, barriers in addressing those gaps, and the development of a capacity-building framework. Results The framework described highlights opportunities for building Cooperative Extension’s capacity to address goals in four key domains. These goals include (1) catalyzing Extension’s organizational development to support science-driven practices, (2) bolstering prevention and behavioral health-oriented professional development for Extension faculty and staff, (3) creating a stronger culture of behavioral health in Extension, and (4) strengthening Extension’s financing of prevention-oriented behavioral health efforts. Conclusion Addressing the capacity-related goals identified in this paper could be a major catalyst for enhancing the power of proven, prevention-oriented behavioral health and, thereby, the well-being of our families, communities and nation.

Cooperative Extension professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward the opioid epidemic: Implications for capacity development and outreach

“…Only 10% of survey respondents reported possessing adequate knowledge to address the opioid epidemic. Others have identified gaps in evidence-based practice and make a case for strengthening and expanding Extension capacity for behavioral health ( 21 ). These gaps in evidence-based practice are driven, in part, by limited capacity among Extension professionals at the community-level, an issue which must be remedied to accomplish the EOCRW recommendation to embed health promotion and prevention activities throughout Extension ( 14 ).…”

Cooperative extension as a key partner to behavioral health in rural communities.

“…Laying a strong foundation also involves integrating with existing national frameworks and recommendations including the Extension Opioid Crisis Response Workgroup (2018), National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being (Burton et al, 2021), and Capacity-Building Framework for Behavioral Health Extension (Spoth et al, 2020). Such recommendations are addressed within each of the core functions.…”

“…Establishing such partnerships and linkages is a focus of prior recommendations. The National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being (Burton et al, 2021) suggested developing partnerships across extension and academic-based health sciences and engagement in coalition work, while the behavioral health extension model (Spoth et al, 2021) proposed a communityuniversity partnership delivery system.…”

“…Connecting extension to delivery of health services is not a new idea. Extension has expanded beyond its agricultural roots to focus on health, and more recently on behavioral health (Spoth et al, 2020). However, researchers have noted the underuse of extension for health service delivery since the 1980s (Coward et al, 1986).…”

“…An important first step is to lay a strong foundation by building capacity within the existing systems and garnering buy-in for expanding the scope of Extension. Spoth et al (2020) proposed a process to do just this—build capacity among extension to address behavioral health gaps. This is an important initial step as historically not all extension personnel have felt prepared to deliver behavioral health programming.…”