22q11.2 Related Disorders
The mission of ACPA’s 22q11.2 Related Disorders SIG is to optimize interdisciplinary care and quality of life of individuals with 22q11.2 related disorders by enhancing networking and educational opportunities for clinicians, researchers and other ACPA members interested in 22q11.2 related disorders.
The SIG’s goal is to promote collaboration of clinical care and research across the US and abroad through networking and education.
2025 Objectives
- Offer two virtual SIG forums, to include a webinar, discussion, or journal club
- Hold an in-person SIG forum during ACPA’s Annual Meeting
- Submit an abstract for ACPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting for a 22q related session.
- Engage the online community with at least one monthly post with any announcements, research updates, or an interesting case or question open for general discussion.
- Submit abstract to the Biennial International 22q11.2 Conference in July 2026
Care Coordination
The mission of ACPA’s Care Coordination SIG is to facilitate the highest level of knowledge, professional practice, research, and collaboration in the care of individuals with acquired or congenital cleft or craniofacial anomalies.
The SIG’s goals are to serve as an advocate for care coordination within ACPA; to provide opportunities for professional growth through exchange of ideas, networking, and team care experiences; and to educate ACPA members with interest in Team Coordination, as well as current and evolving state of cleft and craniofacial care and multidisciplinary care coordination.
2025 Objectives
- Conduct three Care Coordination SIG discussion forums (two virtual, one in person at the Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA).
- Continue growing its mentorship program and match at least five new coordinators with mentors.
- Submit at least three abstracts for ACPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
- Continue the facilitation of an active Care Coordination SIG Online Community, with at least two posts per month
Feeding Nutrition and Growth
The mission of the Feeding Nutrition and Growth (FNG) SIG is to optimize the feeding and nutritional care of children with cleft and craniofacial differences by uniting and engaging the various stakeholders (e.g., physicians, feeding specialists, dietitians, nurses, researchers, advanced practice providers) who specialize or are interested in this type of care.
The SIG’s goal is to support the optimal growth of children with cleft and craniofacial differences through the provision of appropriate feeding and nutrition practices to ensure best care and positive outcomes, while supporting quality of life for both the children and their caregivers.
2025 Objectives
- Conduct three FNG SIG discussion forums (two virtual and one in person at the 2025 Annual Meeting)
- Support an active FNG SIG on the ACPA Online Community to promote networking through monthly posts
- Share at least one FNG-related publication from the CPCJ via the ACPA Online Community to promote awareness
- Continue to add additional resources to the ACPA FNG SIG Online Community page and increase use of this for FNG SIG members
- Submit at least one FNG-related abstract for consideration at ACPA’s 2026 annual meeting
Global Care
The mission of the Global Care Special Interest Group of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association is to optimize the care for individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions globally by enhancing educational and networking opportunities for international members and providing assistance in volunteer global cleft/craniofacial care.
The SIG’s goals are to improve sustainability, mentoring, and quality of international cleft work; and grow ACPA’s international membership through increased international member value.
2025 Objectives
- Meetings: Four Global Care SIG meetings (March, May, August and September)
- Mentorship: Strengthen the partnership between the following and open to other collaborations:
- Wake Forest Cleft/Craniofacial team and Benin,
- UCI/CHOC and Kenya,
- Dr John van Aalst and Palestinian national cleft practitioners and Liberia,
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and College of Health Sciences KNUST/KATH, Ghana
- Education: 2 Case/Topic-based discussion
- Publication: To develop at least five accepted abstracts from the 2024/25 ACPA conference into peer-reviewed articles for publication.
- Abstract ACPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting: To submit at least ten abstracts and have one pre-conference session
Mental Health/Psychosocial
The mission of the Mental Health/Psychosocial Special Interest Group of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association is to optimize the coordination of care for individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions by enhancing educational and networking opportunities for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other ACPA members interested in mental health and psychosocial care.
The SIG’s goals are to provide opportunities for professional growth through network and discussion; and to serve as an advocate for mental health care within ACPA.
2025 Objectives
- Continue to work to complete psychosocial provider toolbox on ACPA’s Online Community.
- Hold 2 virtual and 1 in person SIG forums.
- Explore development of mentoring program for new cleft psychosocial professionals.
Research Development SIG
The mission of the Research Development SIG is to support ACPA’s basic, clinical, and translational scientists by elevating research-related collaboration and facilitating career development opportunities.
The SIG’s goals are to support ACPA’s scientists across all areas of craniofacial research by (1) providing avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced networking and (2) promoting career development and mentorship opportunities for early career scientists.
2025 Objectives
- Hold a SIG discussion and networking forum at the ACPA’s Annual Meeting along with 2 virtual events.
- Solicit papers for the 2025 Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal Spotlight on Early-Career Researchers of the ACPA
- Submit an abstract to the ACPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting
- Initiate a mentor database for SIG members
