National Initiative Pivots Amid a Global Pandemic: Lessons Learned From the InSideOut Initiative.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social and Emotional Learning
• Sports Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global public health interventions.
• Community health needs persisted alongside emergent COVID-19 challenges.
• The InSideOut Initiative, focused on social-emotional competencies for athletes, faced challenges in its traditional in-person training model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand adaptations made by the InSideOut Initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify lessons learned from pivoting the intervention approach.
• To inform future public health interventions in community settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with InSideOut Initiative executives and collaborators.
• Analysis of adaptations to a systems-based approach for supporting school-aged athletes.
• Exploration of challenges and innovations in intervention delivery.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: prioritizing community engagement, implementing innovative strategies, and adapting content.
• The initiative successfully pivoted from in-person to modified delivery methods.
• Collaboration and flexibility were crucial for sustaining the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Public health interventions should prioritize community needs and foster social innovation.
• Adaptability and willingness to integrate new solutions are vital for intervention success.
• Incorporating comprehensive evaluation processes (formative, process, outcome) is recommended for future initiatives.