A Quality Assurance Process Model of the Comprehensive Integrated Primary Prevention Plan to Reduce Harmful Behaviors in the U.S. National Guard

Introduction In the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6400.11, The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness outlined a plan for the National Guard (NG) of each State, Territory, and District of Columbia ("state") to develop a Comprehensive Integrated Primary Prevention (CIPP) plan, beginning 2024, to outline prevention practices for reducing harmful behaviors. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) established a National Guard Program (NGP) to collaborate with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and the 54 States, Territories, and Washington D.C. ("state") to provide consultation and quality assurance on CIPP plans in compliance with DoD policies. The CSTS team of scientists and analysts created the QAC guide and process to assist NGB and states in the development of CIPP plans. Methods The QAC was constructed by examining DoD policies, engaging with NGB and key informants from the states, and analyzing the NGB CIPP plan template. Results The QAC guide and process facilitates a streamlined process for CSTS scientists to efficiently provide feedback on NG CIPP plans. It also assists NGB and the 54 states with aligning their CIPP plans with DoD requirements. Conclusions The QAC facilitates growth in the area of quality improvement for NG primary prevention through streamlining the CIPP plan quality assurance process, aiding in strengthening state CIPP plans, promoting CIPP plan evaluation efforts, and fostering collaboration between CSTS, NGB, and the states. It also has spurred the development of common language used in CIPP plan development, a vital aspect in the improvement of CIPP plans and expanding the understanding and utility of CIPP plans throughout the military.