SUSTAINING INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY PREVENTION SYSTEMS: A DATA‐INFORMED SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

Abstract

This article presents a sustainability strategy, its implementation protocols, and a pilot study of implementation and sustainability readiness. The strategy is guided by a conceptual framework that integrates (a) a strategy for sustaining prevention infrastructure and interventions and (b) a planning and evaluation process known as Getting To Outcomes. Data‐informed decision making is key to this strategy, which includes initial assessment of sustainability capacity and sustainable innovation characteristics, and progresses through planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement to sustain targeted innovations. A support system for implementing the strategy, including a toolkit, primer, electronic tools, and training and technical assistance, is described. Lessons learned from a pilot study for future testing and implementation of the strategy are also discussed. In sum, the article presents a conceptual‐based strategy to sustainability, an innovative support system, and lessons learned that have important implications for improving the evaluation and practice of sustainability.