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.

2024 Objectives

  1. Offer two virtual SIG forums.
  2. Hold a parent panel with a live discussion at the in-person SIG forum during ACPA’s Annual Meeting.
  3. Submit an abstract for ACPA’s Annual Meeting in 2025 for a 22q related session.
  4. Assign 22q SIG members to post a 22q question/case of the month on 22q on the ACPA Online Community to general discussion.
  5. Schedule at least one SIG conference call related to 22q research in a journal club format – assign 2-3 articles for discussion and identify an expert discussion leader. Topics may include Care Coordination, VPD, Care for Adults, Feeding or others.
  6. Submit abstract to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national meeting to spread 22q awareness to pediatric colleagues.

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.

2024 Objectives

  1. Conduct three Care Coordination SIG discussion forums (two virtual, one in person at the annual meeting in Denver, CO).
  2. Continue growing its mentorship program and match at least five new coordinators with mentors.
  3. Submit at least three abstracts for ACPA’s Annual Meeting in 2025.
  4. 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.

2024 Objectives

  1. Conduct three FNG SIG discussion forums (two virtual and one in person at the 2024 annual meeting)
  2. Support an active FNG SIG group on the ACPA Online Community to promote networking through monthly posts
  3. Share at least one FNG-related publication from CPCJ via the ACPA Online Community to promote awareness
  4. Continue to add additional resources to the ACPA FNG SIG Community page and increase use of this for FNG SIG members
  5. Submit at least one FNG-related abstract for consideration at the 2025 ACPA 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.

2024 Objectives

  1.  Meetings: Three Global Care SIG meetings
  2. Mentorship: At least three ACPA Approved Teams partnering with three International Teams in clinical and research
  3. Education: 1 Case/Topic-based discussion
  4. Publication: To develop at least 5 accepted abstracts for the 2024 ACPA Annual Meeting for publications
  5. Submit at least 10 abstracts for the 2025 ACPA Annual Meeting.

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.

2024 Objectives

  1. Add resources to the ACPA Mental Health Online Community page and increase use of this for Mental Health SIG members
  2. Hold 2 virtual and 1 in-person SIG forums.
  3. Disseminate Americleft screening recommendations in the Online Community and at meetings with focus on screeners that a variety of psychosocial providers can use.

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.

2024 Objectives

  1. Hold the inaugural SIG discussion forum at the ACPA Annual Meeting and two additional virtual SIG events
  2. Build and support SIG members through the ACPA Online Community through monthly posts
  3. Elicit feedback regarding SIG member expectations and values to be incorporated into future SIG events and objectives
  4. Issue a call for papers for a special issue of The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal that will showcase ACPA’s early career scientists