Call for Papers

Individual Presentation 

• Duration: 1 hour 
• Presenter: 1 individual 
• Format: A lecture-style or interactive session focused on a single topic. Ideal for clinicians, educators, or researchers who want to explore a focused subject through case examples, implementation strategies, lessons learned or applied research.

Symposium 

• Duration: 1 hour
• Presenters: 2–3 individuals
• Format: Coordinated presentations that explore a topic from multiple angles. Sessions should be thematically cohesive and allow time for discussion or Q&A. Each presenter should offer a distinct yet aligned perspective on the theme.

Poster + Lightning Talk 

• Duration: 5–15-minute pre-recorded presentation
• Presenter: 1 individual
• Format: A visual research poster accompanied by a brief, pre-recorded video presentation. Ideal for clinicians, educators, or researchers who want to share findings, preliminary results, or applied projects in a concise format. The poster should clearly convey the research question, methods, and key takeaways. The Lightning Talk should enhance the poster by providing context, interpretation, or insights from the work. 

Each submission must include the following: 

1. Title

Use title case and spell out all acronyms (e.g., Building Effective Routines: A Family-Centered Approach). Keep it under 15 words or 200 characters.

2. Abstract (250–350 words) 

Note: The total word count for your abstract, encompassing the Background, Method, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion sections, must not exceed 350 words.

The following tool provides clear guidance on how to write a strong scientific abstract that effectively summarizes your research. It outlines best practices, standard formats, and examples to help you communicate your study’s purpose, methods, results, and significance clearly and precisely.

Tool: Writing a Scientific Abstract

Your abstract should include the following sections: 

• Background 
• Method 
• Results 
• Discussion 
• Conclusion

Make sure that your abstract does the following:

• Introduces the topic and its significance
• Summarizes session content, format and/or methods 
• Highlights how evidence is being applied in practice 
• Spells out acronyms and uses accessible, jargon-free language
• Includes participant type, procedure summary and preliminary findings for data-based presentations

3. Learning Objectives (2–3 required) 

Learning objectives must be: 

• Specific 
• Measurable 
• Achievable 
• Relevant 
• Time-bound (optional) 

Use Bloom’s Taxonomy action verbs (e.g., identify, apply, explain, analyze, evaluate, design, implement).

The following resource offers guidance on writing effective and measurable learning objectives to ensure your session meets the requirements for Continuing Education (CE) credit.

Tool: Writing Measurable Learning Objectives (PDF, opens in a new tab)

Note: Please review the above link for writing measurable learning objectives before submitting. If they do not meet the requirements for CE, the submission will be rejected.

Structure

Learners will be able to + [action verb] + [specific task] + [measurement criteria]

Examples: 

• Learners will be able to conduct an assessment using the Compass-Behavioral manual across two clinical scenarios.
• Learners will be able to state the three elements of the ABCs of behavior.
• Learners will be able to implement cognitive-behavioral strategies during a role-play session with peer feedback.
• Knowledge Check Questions (6-8 required for CE Eligibility)
• If your session offers CE credit or is available on-demand, include a post-test with multiple-choice questions.

Requirements: 

• 6–8 multiple-choice questions per CE hour (3 minimum per Elevate session)
• Directly aligned with learning objectives
• Avoid “true/false” or “all/none of the above” options
• Provide the correct answer in bold
• Target comprehension, application, or analysis — not memorization

Example:

What is one component of Behavior Skills Training (BST)?

A) Conducting a needs assessment 
B) Modeling and feedback 
C) Delivering test results 
D) Scheduling follow-up care

4. Professional References

• Each submission must include 3 professional references
• Current (published within the last 10 years)
• Relevant (in alignment with learning objectives and narrative/program content) and sufficient (i.e., peer-reviewed)
• All references must be in APA format

Original Work 

Submissions must reflect original work. If similar material has been presented before, the abstract must describe how the content has been significantly revised or updated.

Presenter Requirements 

• All presenters must attend the conference virtually (or submit recordings for on-demand access). Speakers receive complimentary registration.
• Individuals may participate in only one accepted session (as a solo presenter or symposium participant).
• Only active presenters should be listed on the submission.
• All presenters must accept the terms and conditions.

Ethical and Professional Standards 

Presenters must confirm that:

• Ethical standards (e.g., IRB/IACUC) were followed where applicable.
• Appropriate permissions have been obtained for all data, images, or media.
• Language is inclusive and culturally respectful.
• Content aligns with Catalight’s values of equity, inclusion, and excellence. 

All educators must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, sponsorships, funding, or affiliations.

Examples

• I am a consultant for XYZ Corporation, which manufactures devices discussed in my presentation. 
• A grant from ABC Foundation funded my research. 
• I receive royalties from the sale of textbooks related to this presentation. 
• I am employed by DEF University, which has a research partnership with a company associated with this topic. 
• I am a member of the GHI Professional Association, which advocates for policies related to this presentation.

(Optional) To be considered for CE credit (BACB, APA, SLP, etc.), submissions must include:

• 2–3 measurable learning objectives  
• 3 corresponding quiz questions  
• At least 3 peer-reviewed scholarly references (published within the last 10 years, APA format) relevant to the presentation topic.  
• CE instructor’s name, credentials, and short CV  
• Indicate whether your session addresses and how much of the time is spent on this topic: 
  • Ethics
  • Supervision
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Title (≤ 15 words, title case)  
• Abstract (250–350 words, clear and evidence-focused)  
• Target audience 
• 2-3 measurable learning objectives 
• Time allotment 
• 6-8 CE quiz questions (if applicable) 
• At least 3 peer-reviewed scholarly references  
• If presenting a topical subject, describe your expertise 
• Instructional level 
• Presenter’s contact information and role 
• CV 
• Disclosures and permissions 
• Ethics and professionalism confirmations 
• CE materials (if applicable) 

• Submission Deadline: September 25, 2026 
• Submit online at: Elevate: Advancing Practice With Purpose 
• Create a profile and then log in to the Elevate membership platform 
• Click ‘Profile Home’ and you should see a link for “Submit a Paper for Elevate: Advancing Practice With Purpose“ 
• Click this link and follow the prompts to complete your submission 
• Speaker Selection: Selected speakers will be notified of their acceptance by October 16, 2026 
• Contact Us (opens in a new tab)

All submissions will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Papers are evaluated on relevance to the theme, innovation, clarity, and practical application. Reviewers include clinicians, researchers, educators, and/or advocates.

Selection Committee

The Elevate Selection Committee includes a multidisciplinary panel of professionals with experience in service delivery, research, education, and advocacy. The committee ensures that selected sessions align with conference goals and values.

Acceptance Criteria

Submissions will be accepted based on the following: 

• Clear connection to the Advancing Practice With Purpose theme 
• Practical value and innovation 
• Quality of learning objectives and abstract 
• Clarity and relevance to behavioral health 

Note: Incomplete submissions will be rejected.

Notification of Acceptance

You will be notified of your submission status by October 16, 2026. Accepted submissions will receive detailed next steps, including registration and scheduling information.

If Your Submission is Not Accepted

We appreciate all submissions. We encourage you to submit again next year if yours is not selected. Acceptance decisions are final.

One-Time Presentation Policy

To ensure unique and fresh content, sessions previously presented at Elevate may not be resubmitted unless they have been significantly revised or updated with new data or learnings.

Speaker Cancellation Policy

If a speaker can no longer attend, please notify the Elevate team as soon as possible. Replacement presenters must be pre-approved by the planning committee. Late cancellations or no-shows may affect eligibility for future events.