AACPDM/UCP Transformative Practice Award

The Transformative Practice Award intends to enhance the capacity of service providers to apply evidence-based clinical strategies/service delivery approaches into practice. Funding is available to support AACPDM members in implementing evidence-based interventions into practice. The award requires pairing with an expert AACPDM member who has direct experience with the proposed intervention/service delivery approach. The funding can be used to support a variety of implementation science strategies but applicants are encouraged to consider active approaches (e.g., an expert visits a local center and assists with problem-solving barriers to implementation) instead of more passive strategies (generic presentation about an intervention or service delivery model). The use of implementation science principles such as root cause analysis, identification of local facilitators and barriers to practice change and the use of evidence-based behavior change strategies are highly encouraged.

For guidance on evidence-based implementation strategies, applicants may find the following resources useful: Resources for Implementation Science Researchers

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants and identified experts must be current AACPDM members located in the U.S. or Canada.
• Applicants must not have received an AACPDM Transformative Practice Grant within the past five years.
• Proposed intervention strategies/service delivery approaches must be a) evidence-based and 2) relevant to individuals with cerebral palsy and/or other childhood-acquired disabilities. Priority will be given to proposals that support the implementation of the AACPDM Care Pathways.

Application Review:

Applications will be forwarded to the appropriate AACPDM Committee for review. Applications will be evaluated on six criteria outlined below using a 5-point scale. The AACPDM Awards committee will share the top two applications with the AACPDM board of directors who will present them to the UCP Research Committee for the final selection of the top applicant.

• The effectiveness of the proposed intervention strategy/service delivery approach is supported by research evidence and is clearly articulated in the application.
• Evidence that the expert has had previous success with implementation of the intervention/strategy and that the application was completed in collaboration with the expert. Please provide evidence of expertise (e.g., journal articles, documentation of successful implementation, etc.)
• The extent to which proposed activities represent active approaches to implementation. Examples of active strategies include on-site observation of current practice, meetings focused on identifying and overcoming local barriers to implementation, and post-meeting follow-up with the expert. It should be noted that while more passive strategies for changing practice (e.g., the expert presenting at grand rounds) can be included in the application, the emphasis should be on activities that are more active and emphasize overcoming local barriers to changing practice.
• The evaluation plan is feasible and will provide an indication regarding the extent the intervention/strategy was implemented.
• The budget is reasonable and aligned with the proposed activities.
• The degree of readiness of the host institution for change. The application must include a letter from a senior administrator at the host institution indicating a commitment to implementing and supporting the change in clinical practice proposed in the application.

Terms of the Award:

AACPDM members are invited to submit applications describing the planned implementation of interventions/service delivery approaches relevant to individuals with cerebral palsy and/or other childhood-onset disabilities. Potential activities for implementation include but are not limited to:

• Formalized implementation science project including root cause analysis, key driver diagram, run charts, etc.
• On-site coaching and feedback from an expert in the relevant clinical area who has demonstrated knowledge and successful implementation of the intervention strategy/service delivery approach.
• Expert attendance at meetings with key stakeholders to identify and overcome local barriers to implementation.
• Follow-up meeting(s) or teleconferences with the expert to allow for ongoing support and guidance. Evaluation of implementation of strategies related to practice change (i.e., how did practice change after implementation of activities outlined in this application?)

Activities related to the Transformative Practice Award must be completed within one year of receipt of the award. The grant amount is up to $8,000 per award. A final report will be required within 6 months of the end of the term of the award. The final report must include a description of activities supported by the award, the results of the implementation project, and a line-by-line description of how funds were spent. Awardees are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration at the AACPDM Annual Meeting.

Eligible expenses include:

• Travel expenses for the expert
• On-site meeting-related expenses
• Knowledge translation activity expenses
• Clinician time to conduct Implementation Science activities
• Data retrieval/data analysis

Personal remuneration, administrative costs (i.e., standard office equipment and supplies), and activities unrelated to the implementation of the intervention/service delivery approach outlined in the proposal are ineligible expenses.

The submission deadline for this award is now closed.