Latest Blogs

Below is a list of blogs written by ACPA members and the National Office Team.

If you are interested in writing a blog, please email Alyssa Kirkman for more information.

*Disclaimer-The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association claims no responsibility for the content published by others on its web site. Published content does not imply endorsement of the organization or the content of the meetings.

New ACPA Publication: Paying for Treatment

By Alexis Giannattasio posted yesterday
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Paying for a family member’s health treatment can be complicated as health care funding varies from state to state and from one insurance policy to another, constantly changing. ACPA’s newly revised factsheet, Paying for Treatment , explains who pays for cleft and craniofacial care, describes problems that may come up with paying for certain services and how to solve them, and lists service organizations and other resources that can help families pay for care. According to Paying for Treatment , funding for cleft and craniofacial care may come from one source or from a combination of sources, such as: Employer-based or group-based health insurance ...
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Join Colleagues at ACPA’s 77th Annual Meeting

By ACPA posted 8 days ago
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Cleft and craniofacial professionals will gather at the  Hilton Portland Downtown  in Portland, Oregon for ACPA’s 77 th  Annual Meeting to learn across multiple disciplines, discuss new and old ideas with those experienced in the field and explore advances in research, clinical and team-driven care. The meeting will kick off on Tuesday, March 31 with the  Pre-Conference Symposium  and will conclude with final sessions on Saturday, April 4. The keynote presentation, “Insights from the Patient’s Perspective,” will be given by Jake French.  A complete schedule  for the 2020 meeting is listed on the ACPA website. The hotel block at the Hilton Portland Downtown ...
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Happy Thanksgiving from ACPA

By ACPA posted 15 days ago
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From all of us at the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, we extend our greatest appreciation to you for your support in the cleft-craniofacial community and we send you our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.   The ACPA National Office will be closed November
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Support ACPA on Giving Tuesday

By Charlene Bell posted 16 days ago
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ACPA’s Fall Campaign is an opportunity for you to give back and make a difference in the cleft and craniofacial community. By making a charitable donation, you will provide resources to patients, families and professionals. There are many opportunities for you to give back and support ACPA programs. On December 3, you can join the global movement by participating in  GivingTuesday , a day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. There are many ways to give on #GivingTuesday–whether it's spreading awareness on social media, hosting a local event or making a monetary donation, the possibilities are endless. This year, ACPA President Bernard ...
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CPCJ Podcast: Early Weight Gain in Infants With Cleft Lip and Palate Treated With and Without Nasoalveolar Molding

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 20 days ago
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In this podcast, Pat Chibbaro interviews Judah S. Garfinkle about the article, "Early Weight Gain in Infants With Cleft Lip and Palate Treated With and Without Nasoalveolar Molding: A Retrospective Study" published in Volume 56, Issue 7 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal . Click here to read the article. Stream the podcast. Direct download: CPCJ_podcast_10182019_Edit.mp
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First annual cleft and craniofacial festival connects young patients and families with similar experiences

By Elizabeth Benitez posted 22 days ago
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More than 75 patients and families of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Children’s National Hospital joined staff for a special afternoon full of fun fall activities. This festival included music, games, crafts and a surprise visit from a fire truck at a restored fire station in Washington, DC. Kids with cleft lips, cleft palates and other craniofacial conditions often face many surgeries, hospital stays and follow ups with multiple specialists, frequently from birth throughout childhood. The fall festival gives these young patients and their families an opportunity to enjoy being kids. Even better, it gives families a chance to connect with others who faced ...
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Announcing ACPA’s 79th Annual Meeting

By ACPA posted 23 days ago
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ACPA is pleased to announce that the 2022 meeting will be held in Fort Worth, Texas. The event will be held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. Future dates for ACPA's Annual Meeting include: ACPA's 77th Annual Meeting Portland, Oregon Hilton Portland March 31-April 4, 2020 Registration Opens in January. View the schedule. ACPA’s 78th Annual Meeting Raleigh, NC Raleigh Convention Center April 27 – May 1, 2021 ACPA’s 79th Annual Meeting Fort Worth, TX Omni Fort Worth March 29 – April 2, 202
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Issue 56.10 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 27 days ago
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The new issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ) is now available. All ACPA Members receive a free subscription to CPCJ - just log-in to your ACPA account to access the online version.   Not a member and want journal access?  Join now ($240 for 2018 National Active Membership) or purchase an individual subscription ($324 for print and e-access). Issue 56.10 Table of Contents Scandcleft Project, Trial 1: Comparison of Speech Outcome in Relation to Timing of Hard Palate Closure in 5-Year-Olds With UCLP   Elisabeth Willadsen, PhD, Anette Lohmander, PhD, Christina Persson, PhD, Maria Boers, SLP, Mia Kisling-Møller, SLP, Christina ...
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New ACPA Publications for Patients and Families

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 29 days ago
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We’re excited to announce two newly revised publications for patients and families: Treacher Collins Syndrome and Dental Care for a Child Born with Cleft Lip and/or Palate . Treacher Collins Syndrome , previously an ACPA factsheet, is a booklet that answers common questions related to the craniofacial syndrome. The booklet covers topics such as facial differences related to Treacher Collins Syndrome and possible treatment options. It also features 2019 ACPA Scholarship Recipient Casey on the front cover, who was born with TCS. ACPA’s newly revised factsheet, Dental Care for a Child Born with Cleft Lip and/or Palate , addresses different types of ...
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Inaugural Cleft Out Foundation 5k

By Richard Kapitan posted 11-11-2019
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The inaugural Cleft Out Foundation 5k was held on November 2, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The race was an opportunity to raise awareness for the foundation and provide funding for cleft care in the local community. The Cleft Out Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps Charlotte-area families to meet the many financial needs associated with treating children born with Cleft Lip & Palate. With a goal of over 100 participants, the Cleft Out Foundation exceeded its expectations. Both runners and walkers showed up for the race on a chilly Saturday morning. Children who have benefited from the organization's grants and their families ...
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SAGE Publishing Releases Free ‘How to Get Published’ Course

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 11-08-2019
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In response to the huge demand from researchers, the SAGE Campus team – who create interactive e-learning resources for researchers – released a brand-new course revealing the secrets of successfully getting published in quality journals. How to Get Published , created by publishers of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal , provides a fantastic solution for researchers who may not be able to attend the live sessions. The introductory course covers three main topics: 1. Choosing a journal Where to start when choosing a journal Factors to consider before final selection High- vs low-risk submissions 2. Preparing your paper for submission ...
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Support ACPA this Holiday Season

By Charlene Bell posted 11-07-2019
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During this season of giving, we invite you to join us to make a difference in the cleft and craniofacial community. By making a charitable contribution, you will provide resources to patients, families and professionals. There are many opportunities for you to give back and support ACPA programs. When you support ACPA with a charitable donation, be sure to join us on social media and let us know! Simply share a photo with the statement, “I support ACPA because…” and use the hashtag, #CreateAWorld. Then challenge three friends to make a donation and share a similar post. Don’t forget to tag ACPA on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram. Help our fall fundraising ...
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Webinars for November and December

By ACPA posted 11-04-2019
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Earn continuing education credits at any time with on-demand courses on ACPA Online Learning . ACPA offers courses on a variety of topics, including Surgical Procedures,Speech and Audiology, Psychosocial Outcomes, Ethical Issues, Care Coordination and more. Register for a live or on-demand webinar today. All webinars are available as on-demand courses within a week. Upcoming live webinars include: Ethical Considerations in Advertising Cleft and Craniofacial Care Services November 6, 2019 4:30 PM ET Multi-Team Experiences of Care Coordination November 14, 2019 2:00 PM ET Transition of Care for Young Adults with Cleft Lip and Palate: We’ve ...
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JHACH Family Fun Day

By Aleshia Pringle posted 10-31-2019
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The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Cleft and Craniofacial (CCF) Team hosted a family fun day on July 13, 2019 in St. Petersburg, FL, where more than 50 patients with cleft and craniofacial differences and their families played games, reconnected with their care team and each other. Our cleft and craniofacial program treats patients throughout the Tampa Bay, Florida region and neighboring counties. We had a face painter, a photo booth, breakfast snack station, coloring and craft center, blow up bowling, Jenga, autograph memory book station, beach balls, giant Connect 4, corn hole and many outdoor family fun activities at a local nature preserve. The photographer ...
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CPCJ Podcast: Survey of North American Multidisciplinary Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team Clinic Administration

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 10-28-2019
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In this podcast, Pat Chibbaro interviews Sibyl Sheve and Sybill Naidoo about their article, "Survey of North American Multidisciplinary Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team Clinic Administration" published in Volume 56, Issue 4 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. Click here to read the article. Stream the podcast: http://sageclinical.sage-publications.libsynpro.com/webpage/category/The%20Cleft%20Palate-Craniofacial%20Journal Direct download: CPCJ_Podcast_072519.mp3 #Journa
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CleftStrong Hosts Sixth Annual 5K

By Catherine Choi posted 10-24-2019
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The 2019 CleftStrong 5K was held October 12 in San Antonio, Texas. The 6 th  Annual event was an opportunity for the local community – and virtual racers from around the country – to come together to support those born with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Cloudy weather and cold winds didn’t stop attendees. They arrived dressed in mouse ears, Star Wars costumes, witch hats and more for the Disney themed race. Event founders Chelsea and Ray Ortiz, parents of a child born with cleft, joined racers, a crowd of volunteers, and sponsors for the opening ceremony, ...
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Mark Your Calendars for ACPA’s Fall Fundraising Campaign

By Charlene Bell posted 10-17-2019
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You’re invited to join us this November for ACPA’s Fall Fundraising Campaign. During this season, there will be many opportunities to make a charitable donation to ACPA and participate in the end of year giving campaign. As part of the campaign, ACPA is hosting a social media challenge to raise awareness of cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial conditions while encouraging donations to ACPA. We’re asking members of our community to post a photo on Facebook and/or Instagram including the statement “I support ACPA because…” with the hashtag, #CreateAWorld. Then challenge three friends to make a donation to ACPA and share a similar post on social media. ...
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Upcoming Webinars - Session on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations on 10/17

By ACPA posted 10-14-2019
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ACPA has some exciting webinars planned as 2019 winds to a close.  Register to attend a live or on-demand session today! Upcoming webinars include: Speech-Language Services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations with Cleft Conditions October 17, 2019 2:00 PM ET Anatomy of The Unilateral Cleft Nasal Deformity and Its Correction October 23, 2019 6:00 PM ET Ethical Considerations in Advertising Cleft and Craniofacial Care Services November 6, 2019 4:30 PM ET Multi-Team Experiences of Care Coordination November 14, 2019 2:00 PM ET Transition of Care for Young Adults with Cleft Lip and Palate: We’ve Got ...
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Issue 56.9 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 10-10-2019
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The new issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ) is now available. All ACPA Members receive a free subscription to CPCJ - just log-in to your ACPA account to access the online version.   Not a member and want journal access?  Join now ($240 for 2018 National Active Membership) or purchase an individual subscription ($324 for print and e-access). Issue 56.9 Table of Contents The Birth Prevalence of Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate After the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami Yoshimichi Imai, MD, PhD, Takehiko Sanada, MD, Masahiro Tachi, MD, PhD Velopharyngeal Structural and Muscle Variations in Children With 22q11.2 Deletion ...
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 10-08-2019
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This October, ACPA is participating in National Bullying Prevention Month, an annual campaign to keep all youth safe from bullying. One key step to preventing bullying is to empower individuals of all ages to recognize their own value and interact confidently with their peers. ACPA offers publications to help children born with facial differences navigate challenging social situations that may occur. Help with Social Situations , an ACPA factsheet with information from cleft and craniofacial experts, answers the question: how can parents help with teasing? First, talk with your child. Ask how she/ he feels about the situation and wants to handle it. ...
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