Partnering to Support a Mindfulness-Informed Social and Emotional Learning Program in Elementary Schools: Strategies Aligned with the Quality Implementation Framework

Abstract

In this case study we use the Quality Implementation Framework (QIF) to identify implementation strategies within the context of a six-year university–school board partnership that implemented and evaluated the MindUP program in Southwestern Ontario. Attention to all four phases in the QIF were found to contribute to the success of the initiative. Being implementation-sensitive required significant pre-implementation work at the outset, ongoing attunement to changing contexts and challenges, and dissemination to target stakeholders. The community-based participatory research principles, the importance of alignment, rapid knowledge mobilization within and beyond partners, and responding to challenges and opportunities were identified as key components for success.