Partnering to translate evidence-based programs to community settings: bridging the gap between research and practice

Implementing evidence-based programming in diverse community settings is an essential translational research step to make effective programs widely accepted and accessible and thereby improve public health. This process is challenging and complex, yet there are few examples to guide the efforts. The authors present their experience as an example of using a university-community partnership approach to aid in translating an evidence-based program (EBP) into a small community setting as a resource for researchers and community partners wishing to implement evidence-based programming in community settings. The authors review the steps of systematic planning and client needs assessment to decide on an EBP: adapting the EBP to appeal to the community while maintaining program fidelity, building staff and organizational capacity, arranging for implementation and family engagement, and carrying out program evaluation. The study focuses on research-to-practice links and highlights each partner's role and activities in facilitating successful translation of an EBP to this community setting. The lessons learned and recommendations are also presented. Using partnerships to prepare community-based organizations to implement EBPs is a vital mechanism for bridging the discovery-delivery gap and moving toward real-world applications of research discoveries.