Abstract D041: Efforts to implement a participatory evaluation plan for Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity
Authors: McIntyre Jessica , Peral Sylvia , Dodd SJ , Behar-Horenstein Linda , Madanat Hala , Shain Abigail , De Jesus Sherri , Laurila Kelly , Robinett Hali , Holmes Kristi , Aguila Nelson , Marzan Melissa , Spychala Leo , Barrios Anthony , Rivers Desiree , Loest Helena , Drennan Marilyn , Suiter Sarah , Richey Joyce , Brown Terrell , Webb Lecarde , Hubbard Karen , Scarinci Isabel C 
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) aim to create stable and long-term partnerships between minority serving institutions and NCI designated Cancer Centers. All CPACHEs are expected to achieve the following objectives: 1) Increase participation of minority serving institutions and underrepresented students in the nation’s cancer research and training enterprise; 2) Produce more competitive grant applications from underrepresented scientists; 3) Increase competitive research capacity at minority serving institutions; 4) Increase involvement and effectiveness of cancer centers in research and training related to underserved populations; 5) Develop more effective research, outreach, and education programs that will have an impact on health disparity populations; and 6) Enhance research in cancer health disparities at cancer centers. Evaluation is a key component to successful and sustainable partnerships. In recent years, funding agencies have called for a collaborative approach among partnerships. This abstract describes collaborative efforts undertaken to implement a participatory evaluation plan for CPACHEs. Methods: During a grantee workshop in July, 2018 Principal Investigators determined it was imperative to develop common metrics to support individual partnership evaluation and enable a better understanding of the CPACHE program nationally. A taskforce comprised of evaluators from each partnership and one NCI Program representative was established. The goals of the taskforce were: 1) To develop an integrated evaluation matrix with process and impact outcomes for each of the six objectives 2) To share best practices and resources for tracking, measuring and reporting progress toward each objective. Results: During a six month period, the CPACHE taskforce has made significant progress toward achieving its goals by: 1) Establishing communication channels, including a mailing list and monthly conference calls; 2) Mobilizing each partnership to develop a program specific evaluation matrix; 3) Developing an integrated evaluation matrix utilizing common metrics; 4) Using an NIH-supported online platform to exchange tools used for tracking and measuring outcomes; 5) Vetting the evaluation matrix with leadership at NCI and individual program PIs; 6) Utilizing surveys to facilitate discussion and inform best practices; and 7) Establishing a model of shared participation by allowing taskforce members to facilitate meetings, and discuss objectives one at a time. Conclusion: The collaborative development of CPACHE performance standards will help each partnership conduct more relevant and effective cancer research, training, outreach, and education aimed at advancing cancer health equity. Significant engagement, participation, and commitment from all stakeholders is critical for a successful evaluation process. Implementation of the evaluation matrix will inform NCI evaluation focused on the impact of the CPACHE program.

Citation Format: Jessica McIntyre, Sylvia Peral, SJ Dodd, Linda Behar-Horenstein, Hala Madanat, Abigail Shain, Sherri De Jesus, Kelly Laurila, Hali Robinett, Kristi Holmes, Nelson Aguila, Melissa Marzan, Leo Spychala, Anthony Barrios, Desiree Rivers, Helena Loest, Marilyn Drennan, Sarah Suiter, Joyce Richey, Terrell Brown, Lecarde Webb, Karen Hubbard, Isabel C Scarinci. Efforts to implement a participatory evaluation plan for Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D041.