American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association

The ACPA is dedicated to making a positive impact for our members, patients, and their families. We are prepared to provide cutting edge research and innovation through active communication and resolute advocacy. We will work tirelessly to encourage collaboration, networking, and establishing connections for the advancement of the field of cleft palate and craniofacial care.

Communication and advocacy
• Set the standard and be the source to promote team care as the best model for cleft-craniofacial care.
• Communicate the importance of access to and value of team care to legislators, the public, providers and affected individuals.

Drive excellence and innovation in education
• We will be leaders in the dissemination of evidence-based education for patients, families, and professionals.
• We will cultivate innovative multimodal educational offerings.

Research advancement, engagement, and communication
• Foster development and promote involvement in innovative research from all stakeholders.
• Promote the advancement of science via the dissemination and discussion of basic science, clinical, and outcomes research through a variety of platforms.

Collaboration, networking, and connections
• Encourage collaborations that enhance our ability to reach families and providers, locally, nationally and internationally to enable an environment that brings together families and providers across specialties and experiences.

Embrace and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Promote diversity and respect; identify and dismantle barriers to involvement; and create a welcoming and inclusive environment so that all ACPA members, employees, and families can thrive.

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is the premier scientific resource and interdisciplinary
professional network for healthcare providers serving patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, and craniofacial differences.

At ACPA, we champion a comprehensive, team-based care approach that supports patients and families throughout their unique care journeys. Since 1943 ACPA’s scientific community has united cleft and craniofacial healthcare professionals by their passion and purpose with the research, education, and networks to provide evidence-based treatment and resources so patients and families thrive.

ACPA members represent 30+ medical disciplines, including plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology (ENT), nursing, speech-language pathology, and more.

More than 2,000 members work with patients and conduct research in all 50 states and over 50 countries around the world.

ACPA's Annual Meeting has grown to nearly 1,000 participants annually drawing medical professionals from nearly 60 countries around the world. ACPA's Annual Meeting provides access to the latest clinical innovations and research from leading experts in the cleft and craniofacial field.

Created the ACPA Advocacy, and ACPA DEI Committees, embarking on critical initiatives that directly impact the professional lives of our members and the patients they serve.

Increased the Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal’s impact factor to a record level of 1.915, broadening ACPA's educational reach. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, an international journal on craniofacial differences, is the official publication of ACPA
and the journal of record for the profession. The journal draws from around the world for its interdisciplinary approach to growth, development, diagnosis, and treatment — the provision of optimal clinical services — in all areas pertaining to craniofacial
differences. It also keeps readers in touch with the latest research in related laboratory sciences.

Implemented a new member-only Online Community, connecting ACPA members around the world with a more user-friendly and familiar experience. The ACPA Online Community is a place for members to ask questions, connect, network, share resources and more. Features include discussion forums, member profiles, resource libraries, blogs, and events.

Increased award amounts of our scholarships, ensuring those interested in craniofacial care have access to accredited continuing medical education opportunities, and students impacted by a craniofacial difference have support to attend college.

Launched the new Team Care Coordinator Retreat, a free virtual event for care coordinators to learn and share knowledge between care teams.

Comprehensively designed and planned a new website for ACPA to ensure research-based and trusted information is easily accessible for medical professionals, patients, and families.