title: Implementing Sustainable Evidence-Based Interventions in the Community: A Fidelity-Focused Training Framework for the Savvy Caregiver Program.
abstract: Evidence-based (EB) programs provide a tested means for addressing serious public health concerns. While establishing and maintaining fidelity to these programs is critical for high-quality outcomes, unfortunately, implementation reports rarely describe the strategies used to train and monitor fidelity in community-based implementations. Thus, an essential translational ingredient is a clearly articulated model for establishing a systemic, sustainable fidelity framework. This article provides a detailed description of the fidelity-focused framework developed for Michigan's statewide implementation of the Savvy Caregiver Program. This framework, titled Creating Confident Caregivers® (CCC), instilled conceptual understanding of fidelity, practice adherence, and competence via ongoing progressive practitioner training, peer observation, participant evaluation, and experiential assessments. Practitioners maintained very high evaluations from participants, and a select cadre of practitioners achieved master trainer status to monitor regional fidelity. This framework promotes sustainable fidelity to EB interventions and provides a replicable platform for other community-based implementations.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Carey Wexler
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: 2 Aging & Adult Services Agency, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Sally C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D020377:Self Efficacy; D000070260:Teacher Training
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; evidence-based program; fidelity; implementation; intervention; training