Abstract D031: Developmental evaluation model for the Florida-California CaRE2 Health Equity Center

Abstract Introduction: The Florida-California CaRE2 Health Equity Center was established in 2018 to address cancer health disparities in Black and Latino communities through innovative translational research in cancers of high mortality. Long term, the CaRE2 Center aims to: 1) reduce cancer disparities in Blacks and Latinos; 2) train and increase the pool of underrepresented Black and Latino scientists conducting health disparity research; 3) increase research capacity at a historically minority serving institution (FAMU); and 4) increase cancer disparity research at UF and USC-NCCC. Two full projects and one pilot project focused on prostate and pancreatic cancers are supported by several cores, including the Tissue Modelling Core. The projects provide research training opportunities across the triad partnership to underrepresented minority students, post-doctoral fellows, and early stage investigators. In this presentation, we describe how the developmental evaluation model (DEM) guided assessment of the CaRE2 Center’s objectives. Methods: The CaRE2 Center Planning and Evaluation Core (PEC) has conducted continuous planning, evaluation and tracking of the partnership activities to ensure the successful achievement of the aims proposed for the Center, its cores, and research projects. The achievement of program goals has been guided by the Provus’ DEM, which focuses on evaluating performance and improving program function. Its premise is that evaluation is: (1) a constructive activity; (2) a dynamic ongoing process; and (3) includes comparison of actual performance with standards and expectations. Each PEC member was assigned as a liaison to one or more of the Center’s cores and research projects. Using a tabular format, each liaison drafted an evaluation plan to guide assessment of their proposed objectives. The liaisons participated in regularly scheduled core and project meetings during the year one of the Center. Results: Each liaison discussed and solicited feedback related to the comprehensive draft evaluation plans. Using a table format, a list of the aims, outcomes, and corresponding benchmarks was presented alongside PEC feedback. PEC feedback provided: (1) evidence of if and how the benchmark was met; and (2) if achieving a benchmark was still in progress. If a benchmark had not been achieved, PEC requested additional information or suggested evaluation metrics to assess future attainment. Each report also included a summary statement in which PEC provided commendations, suggestions, weaknesses, and/or guidance for future reports. PEC provided this feedback formatively and individually to core and research projects quarterly and via a cumulative annual progress report. A comprehensive overview of all core and research project formative reports was sent to the Administrative Core for continuous quality improvement. The Center exceeded most of the benchmarks for year one. Conclusion: The DEM has been instrumental in guiding present and future attainment of the CaRE2 Center objectives. Citation Format: Linda S Behar-Horenstein, Joyce Richey, Alexander Parker, Folakemi T Odedina, Nissa Askins. Developmental evaluation model for the Florida-California CaRE2 Health Equity Center [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 D031.