AYA Social Support Learning Community
-- Research, Best Practices & Collaboration --
The AYA Social Support Learning Community is a national collaborative initiative focused on improving how adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients are assessed, supported, and connected throughout their cancer experience. Through research, peer learning, and shared best practices, oncology professionals, researchers, advocates, and program leaders work together to advance social support in AYA oncology care.
2026 Virtual Session Dates:
- 06/10/2026 @10:30am PT- Session 1 – Kickoff and AYA Social Support National Study Overview
- 09/18/2026 @ 10:30am PT – Session 2 – Assessing Social Support in Practice: Current Approaches, Tools, and Gaps
- 12/18/2026 – @ 10:30am PT – Session 3 – Barriers, Opportunities, and the Future of Social Support Assessment
Session 1 - Kickoff and Overview
In this first learning community session, we explore findings from a national study examining how cancer programs identify and address social support needs among adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
Nick Iannarino, Associate Professor at University of Michigan–Dearborn, led the discussion with findings from qualitative interviews with 34 oncology professionals across 23 U.S. hospitals and AYA programs. Interviews focused on three key research questions:
- How clinicians define social support in AYA oncology
- How social support is currently assessed in practice
- Challenges and opportunities to improve support assessment
Session 2 - Assessing Social Support in Practice
In this second learning community session, we focus on question 2 from the national study: how social support is currently assessed in practice.
Julie Germann, Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and pediatric psychologist at Children’s Medical Center Dallas leads the discussion focused on the following:
- Formal and informal assessment approaches currently being used
- Screening tools, workflows, and documentation practices
- Differences across institutions, disciplines, and care settings
- Areas where assessment is inconsistent, challenging, or absent
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