What is a Solutions Group?
A Solutions Group (SG) is a diverse, interdisciplinary group of 8-12 global cleft professionals convened to consider and recommend key topical guidelines for LMIC cleft teams pursuing a Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) approach.
Solutions Group (SG) 2027 Topics
How can CCC teams strategically delegate clinical tasks to less specialized health workers safely and effectively?
Co-Chairs
Afieharo Michael
Surgeon, Nigeria
Savitha VH
Speech Therapist, India
How can improved patient coordination benefit families and CCC teams?
Co-Chairs
What data should local CCC teams routinely collect? How can it be captured and used without adding undue burden to professionals or families?
Co-Chairs
Erli Sarilita
Researcher/ Dentist, Indonesia
Yvonne Wren
Researcher/ Speech Therapist, UK
- Spanish Language Group -
How can CCC teams, families, and communities work with schools to create environments where children born with clefts can participate, thrive, and belong?
Co-Chairs
Adriana Zavalaga
Nutritionist, Peru
Felipe Inostroza
Speech Therapist, Chile
Why Join an SG?
Solutions Group members collaborate with dynamic cleft professionals from around the world in a 3-month sprint process that culminates in a Roundtable at the S4CCC 2027 conference. SG members also:
- co-author topical guideline recommendations that are published online
- submit an abstract for the 2027 ECPCA Congress(opens in new tab) based on their research findings
Successful SG applicants demonstrate:
Skill in contributing to learning and collaboration among global professionals
Commitment to advancing LMIC-rooted Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC)
Curiosity and openness to new ways of doing things
Affinity for research and a practical, solutions-focused approach
Reflections from Previous SG Members:
94%
of SG members rated their overall experience as EXCELLENT
98%
reported that the SG process provided a helpful venue for LMIC professionals to contribute to LMIC-focused research
92%
highlighted how the SG process promoted helpful collaboration among LMIC and HIC professionals
“The opportunity to connect with multidisciplinary professionals around the world challenged my thinking in a very positive way. It also broke down some of the barriers to international working and learning”
“I appreciated the focus on building teams, the emphasis on comprehensive cleft care in LMICs, and the connection of cleft care professionals around the globe.”
“The SGs generated a lot of ideas and clarity about the direction(s) future work could take.”
“The opportunity to connect with multidisciplinary professionals around the world challenged my thinking in a very positive way. It also broke down some of the barriers to international working and learning”
“I appreciated the focus on building teams, the emphasis on comprehensive cleft care in LMICs, and the connection of cleft care professionals around the globe.”
“The SGs generated a lot of ideas and clarity about the direction(s) future work could take.”
Your role as an SG Member
If your application is accepted, your role as an SG Member will be to:
- Attend all scheduled SG meetings
- Contribute to SG deliberations through identifying research, proposing survey questions, and actively participating in discussion
- Help design your SG Roundtable presentation
- Participate in S4CCC Conference Roundtables
The SG sprint process includes:
Foundation
Review ~2 key topical papers, reports, or tools
Forming Recommendations
Meet for an orientation
+ 4x 75-min SG meetings
S4CCC 2027:
Presentations & Discussion
Present findings and recommendations + facilitate a Roundtable Discussion with conference participants
Dissemination
Revise recommended Guidelines
Submit ECPCA 2027 abstract
Publish Guidelines online
Pre-Work: Dec 2026
Phase 1: Jan-Mar 2027
Phase 2: March 18, 2027
Phase 3: Mar-Jun 2027
Solutions Group (SG)
Meeting Schedule
S4CCC SG Orientation
● Thursday, Jan 14, 2027
8-9:15 am EST / 13-14:15 GMT
SG Meeting 1
● Thursday, Jan 21
8-9:15 am EST / 13-14:15 GMT
SG Meeting 2
● Thursday, Feb 04
8-9:15 am EST / 13-14:15 GMT
SG Meeting 3
● Thursday, Feb 18
8-9:15 am EST / 13-14:15 GMT
SG Meeting 4
● Thursday, Mar 04
8-9:15 am EST / 12-13:15 GMT
S4CCC
Conference
● Thursday, Mar 18, 2027
7:30 am-12:00 pm EDT
11:30-16:00 GMT
S4CCC SG Leadership Huddle
● Wednesday, Mar 31
8-9 am EDT / 12-13 GMT
Browse reports from
our past S4CCCs below:
S4CCC: Inclusive Approaches, Lasting Change
The 4th edition of the S4CCC conference brought together 45 dedicated cleft professionals from 21 countries and 12 disciplines, united by a shared goal: to generate momentum for Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Each of the four Solutions Groups (SGs) was tasked with developing actionable recommendations for an understudied topic:
- Effective Community-based CCC Interventions (SG1)
- Multidisciplinary CCC Team-building (SG2)
- Making the Case for Core CCC Disciplines (SG3)
- Supporting Parents in CCC Treatment Decision-making (SG4)
Available in English. Disponible en español. Disponible en français.
S4CCC: Propelling Learning Through Collaborative Research
In March, 2023 over 130 cleft professionals largely from LMIC backgrounds came together to participate in dialogue and hear from the Solutions Groups.
The diverse interdisciplinary Solutions Groups applied sprint methodology over eight weeks to form recommendations on Three pertinent themes of Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC).
- Getting Started with Patient Reported Outcomes
- Initiating and Sustaining Parent and Patient Support Groups
- Integrating Psychosocial Care Across Cleft Specialities
Available in English. Disponible en español. Disponible en français.
S4CCC: Propelling Learning Through Collaborative Research
In March, 2023 over 130 cleft professionals largely from LMIC backgrounds came together to participate in dialogue and hear from the Solutions Groups.
The diverse interdisciplinary Solutions Groups applied sprint methodology over eight weeks to form recommendations on Three pertinent themes of Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC).
- Getting Started with Patient Reported Outcomes
- Initiating and Sustaining Parent and Patient Support Groups
- Integrating Psychosocial Care Across Cleft Specialities
Available in English. Disponible en español. Disponible en français.
S4CCC: Covid & Beyond
Over 120 cleft professionals from around the globe came together to collaborate and generate solutions for delivering Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) amidst COVID and beyond.
Available in English. Disponible en español
S4CCC: Responding to COVID
Over 140 participants from around the globe actively engaged in a conference experience designed to build connections between cleft professionals and generate solutions to delivering CCC in low and middle-income contexts amidst COVID.
S4CCC: Responding to COVID
Over 140 participants from around the globe actively engaged in a conference experience designed to build connections between cleft professionals and generate solutions to delivering CCC in low and middle-income contexts amidst COVID.
The International NGO sponsors of the Circle of Cleft Professionals (CoCP) are proud to support the S4CCC Conference.
