{"id":4326,"date":"2024-09-03T16:51:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T20:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/cpl\/?page_id=4326"},"modified":"2026-01-22T18:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T23:32:48","slug":"communicating","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/cpl\/impact\/communicating\/","title":{"rendered":"Communicating"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CPL develops theoretical and experiential perspectives that inform how we conceptualize and guide community work. We value the knowledge produced through everyday experiences of occupation and work to elevate this knowledge within research and policy spaces.<\/p>\n

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Theory & Model Development<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Research & Knowledge Distribution<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Evidence & Report Development<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>Theory & Model Development<\/h2>\n

The CPL develops theoretical and experiential perspectives that inform how we conceptualize and guide community work. These theories include occupation-based lenses, systemic analysis, structural critique, pragmatism, and community-driven perspectives.<\/p>\n

Coalition Models<\/h3>\n

\"DepartmentThe CPL has been recognized nationally for its model of developing, administering, and sustaining coalitions. Informed by our experience administering the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition (OCHPC)<\/a> and the Carolina Aging Network (CAN)<\/a>, we share our approach to coalitions and our many lessons learned along the way.<\/p>\n

For example, the OCHPC is featured in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ action guide, “Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living<\/a>.” This national resource features the OCHPC as a model of home accessibility collaboration.\u00a0CPL Primary Lead Dr. Ryan Lavalley and CPL Doctoral Fellow Leiha Edmonds also presented a national webinar<\/a> about the OCHPC for the DHHS Administration of Community Living’s Housing and Services Resource Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n

DHHS National Webinar<\/a>DHHS Action Guide<\/a><\/div>\n
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Program Models<\/h3>\n

\"HopeThe CPL team is working with HOPE NC to help develop the model for its IDEAL communities project. CPL Primary Lead Dr. Ryan Lavalley leads HOPE NC’s Model Development Workgroup and facilitates its collective impact process. HOPE NC envisions communities developed through ongoing collaboration with multiple community partners. Ryan’s operationalization of the collective impact process helps realize this vision.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kathryn Mackey, an occupational therapy doctoral student at the University of Missouri, researched current intergenerational and older adult housing models, evaluating current literature and conducting focus groups and interviews to learn about these models from the older adult perspective. This research will inform the continued development of HOPE NC\u2019s inclusive community, which seeks to be both accessible and affordable across generations, populations, and abilities.<\/p>\n

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Community Practice Theoretical Development<\/h3>\n

The CPL develops experiential perspectives in community practice, driven by our long-standing partnerships with communities and community organizations. Community practice research produced by the CPL has explored processes of social transformation and resource development in and with communities. CPL team members’ publications are linked via ORCID on the Team webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Community Occupational Science Theoretical Development<\/h3>\n

The CPL develops theoretical and experiential perspectives in community occupational science. These theories have included occupation-based lenses, social transformation, community-engaged methodologies, systemic analysis, structural critique, pragmatism, and community-driven perspectives. CPL team members’ publications are linked via ORCID on the Team webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Research Distribution<\/h2>\n

We value the knowledge produced through organizations’ and community members’ everyday experiences of occupation. We elevate this knowledge within research, policy analysis, and community spaces to support emerging community partnerships and coalitions. Our practice of research distribution also offers a chance to reflect upon lessons learned and to offer best practices for colleagues interested in community-based approaches.<\/p>\n

Keynote Speeches<\/h3>\n

\"Dr.CPL Primary Lead Dr. Ryan Lavalley has been invited to deliver keynote addresses focused on community occupational practice.<\/p>\n

Japanese Society for the Study of Occupation, 2024: <\/strong>Ryan delivered the keynote address, “Social Transformation in the Pragmatic Imagination,” for the Japanese Society for the Study of Occupation Annual Conference in September 2024.<\/p>\n

Turkish Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Conference, 2023: <\/strong>Ryan delivered the keynote address, “Embracing Community in Practice: Advancing Community-Rooted Occupational Therapy Practice,” for the Turkish Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Conference on October 25, 2023. In the keynote presentation, Ryan discussed how occupational therapy can contribute to community practice in a variety of contexts. Ryan highlighted how theory and programs rooted in community occupational therapy have been emerging in the United States and specifically at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn more and view the entire keynote address.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Academic Contributions<\/h3>\n

The CPL consistently contributes to academic conferences and events to share theoretical and experiential knowledge developed through community-engagement practices.<\/p>\n

Selected examples:<\/p>\n