Introduction
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
For more than twenty years, the American Cancer Society has worked with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to provide quality technical assistance and training to the 65 grantees of the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). NCCCP grantees are charged with developing, implementing, and evaluating state-wide cancer control plans that focus coalition efforts on evidence-based strategies that impact cancer prevention and control across the cancer continuum.The ACS Comprehensive Cancer Control team provides training and technical assistance to these 65 NCCCP grantees through a variety of venues including webinars, tool kits, in-person trainings, and virtual workshops.
Identifying CCC Priorities and Needs
- 2016 CCC Program and Coalition Assessment. ACS conducted a national survey of the 65 CCC programs, coalitions, tribes, and territories to determine their priorities and needs. See what your CCC partners had to say in these CRC and HPV stakeholders reports.
Developing the CCC Capacity of Local Partners
- Provided Technical Assistance to CCC Partners. ACS worked with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to provide technical assistance to local health departments to strengthen their cancer prevention and control programs.
- Facilitated Partnerships with Local Health Departments. NACCHO conducted three national surveys of local health departments and provided multiple resources to its members, including CCC-specific resources. NACCHO also conducted seven webinars for programs and coalitions.
Enhancing Evidence-Based Practices to Prevent and Control Cancer
- NCCCP Program Evaluation Training. ACS and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) held four evaluation webinars and a workshop to assist programs and coalitions with tracking and measuring their efforts. See the latest NCCRT evaluation toolkit here.
- Colorectal Cancer Webinars and Tools. ACS and the NCCRT conducted 21 webinars and created materials to promote the use of evidence-based practices.
- Individualized Technical Assistance. ACS provided customized technical assistance to several teams in under-served areas.
- Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change (PSE) Initiatives. ACS provided technical assistance to seven teams that participated in the PSE pilot project. A PSE Guide was also created.
- Colorectal Cancer Links of Care. ACS and the NCCRT held a pilot project and a national meeting to improve Links of Care for under-served populations. The NCCRT held two follow-up Links of Care webinars to share lessons learned.
- Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices. ACS held three national CRC forums for 33 state teams, three national HPV forums for 33 teams, and a national Smokefree Public Housing Workshop for six teams. Technical assistance was provided to all 72 state teams for the following year, including multiple webinars, core skill-building calls, and resources. Two workshops were conducted for six Pacific Island Jurisdiction teams.
- Colorectal Cancer Cost-Modeling Technical Assistance. ACS and the NCCRT held a national cost-modeling survey and workshop to assess the needs and features of a preferred cost-modeling tool for colorectal cancer screening.
Enhancing Communication Strategies to Promote CCC Success Stories
- Skill-Building Tools and Training. ACS provided online knowledge and skill-building webinars.
- Communication Tools. ACS created a communications framework for promoting CCC program and coalition successes. ACS also created webinars and guides related to PSE change, coalition branding, and how to work with the media. Three skill-building courses on digital storytelling, copywriting, and slogans & logos were developed to help CCC programs and coalitions promote their key messages and stories.