Walking the Fidelity – Adaptation Tightrope: Strategies for Implementing Evidence-based Substance Use Prevention Programs to Meet Community Needs (New England PTTC - HHS Region 1)

The adoption of an effective substance use prevention program is only the first step toward achieving the positive youth and family outcomes community-based organizations aim to achieve. Research has demonstrated time and time again that high-quality implementation of evidence-based programs is critical to attaining reductions in youth substance use. However, there continues to be some debate about whether programs should be flexibly adapted to fit local contexts or delivered with strict fidelity to the original program model. Increasingly, evidence from research and practice indicates that there must be a balance between the two to achieve positive and sustained program outcomes. This webinar will provide an overview of the latest research on the fidelity vs. adaptation debate and will share best practice tools and strategies for community organizations aiming to successfully walk the fidelity-adaptation tightrope to meet the needs of their local communities.