Type II translation: transporting prevention interventions from research to real-world settings

Abstract

This article summarizes research on Type II translation of prevention interventions aimed at enhancing the adoption of effective programs and practices in communities. The primary goal of Type II translation is to institutionalize evidence-based programs, products, and services. First, the authors describe theoretical frameworks that are useful to guide Type II translation research. Second, research on prevention program implementation, including fidelity of implementation and factors that are associated with successful program implementation, is summarized. The authors describe interventions designed to enhance the dissemination of preventive interventions in community and public health settings. Third, they describe strategies used by prevention program developers who have taken programs to scale. Fourth, they present a case example of Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND), an empirically validated high school-based substance abuse prevention program. They describe ongoing research on the dissemination of Project TND. Finally, they provide suggestions for future Type II translation research.