Developing an Action-Oriented Coalition Keri-Lyn Coleman, MSW October 16, 2014

Objectives Participants will learn what coalitions are and how they are effective Participants will identify the key differences between a coalition and a program Participants will learn the steps in the SPF and coalition building

Definition of Community Coalition “A coalition is a formal agreement and collaboration between groups or sectors of a community in which each group retains its identity but all agree to work together toward a common goal of building a safe, healthy, and drug-free community.” Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Talk here about DFC is about building effective community coalitions.

What do Coalitions Do? Coalitions develop and implement comprehensive community action plans to change behaviors at the population level

Percentage Decline in Alcohol, Tobacco, & Marijuana Use: From Grantee’s First Report to Their Most Recent Report

Difference Between a Coalition and a Program Target and Reach Approach Responsibility Target: entire community vs. sub-population/ the environment vs. the individual Approach: Multiple strategies across multiple sectors Responsibility: Implementation is diffused throughout the community

Shift from Individual to Population Level Focus: Individual Behavior Focus: Policy/ Laws Goal : Personal Control of ATOD Goal : Change the social, political, and economic context of ATOD Tools: Education, Treatment, Small Groups Tools: Policy, Media, Enforcement Who: Professional with Client/ Patient Who: Shared/ Community

Difference Between a Coalition and a Program: Approach Multiple Strategies Across Multiple Sectors Environmental Strategies

Difference Between a Coalition and a Program: Responsibility Diffused throughout the community

Environmental Strategies Advantages Effective and Efficient Immediate Results Inherently Sustainable

Systems Model for ATOD Prevention ATOD Use Community Norms Promotion Retail Availability Social Availability Economic Availability Enforcement

What Coalitions Offer Coalitions can: Create more public recognition and visibility Create a coordinated plan, a united front, and a consistent message Enhance clout in advocacy and resource development Avoid duplication of services and fill gaps in service delivery Accomplish what single members cannot

Where to Begin? Define problem Recruit a core group of people Hold an effective meeting Have a Goal Have an Agenda Send Reminders Invite Strategically

Common Barriers to Starting Coalitions Community is not ready to address the problem “Turf” issues Difficulty engaging diverse communities Lack of financial resources Few connections within the community History (organizational or community)

Common Challenges Faced by Coalition Staff Engaging Volunteers Defining Role(s) “Shiny Objects”

Strategic Prevention Framework

Assessment A comprehensive community assessment will help you identify: The prevalence of the problem in your community; Which youth and families are most affected by the problem; The root causes of the problem; and What resources and strengths your community has to address the problem Diagnose root causes Determine Baselines of Behavior Prioritizing Targets

Assessment Steps to a Community Assessment Create an Assessment Team Determine What Questions you Want Answered Identify Sources for Data Collect Data from Multiple Sources Analyze Data Share Information Develop Plan of Action Involve people who have expertise and experience in data collection surveys, focus groups, community forums, or other data are already available to you public records from your local health department, school district, chamber of commerce, and police department

Capacity The ability of the coalition to make a difference over time and across different issues

Community Representation (12 Sectors) Youth Parents Business community Media Schools Youth-serving organizations Law enforcement agencies Religious or fraternal organizations Civic and volunteer groups Healthcare professionals State, local, and/or tribal governmental agencies Other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse

Coalition Member Recruitment Who is directly affected by the problem(s)? Who else cares enough to want to solve the problem(s)? Who benefits if the problem(s) is solved? What individuals or groups can resolve the problem?

Coalition Member Recruitment Find the right person in the organization Attend their functions, meetings, trainings, etc. Take them to lunch Ask what they need Follow Up

Effective Coalitions Enact Formal Governance Procedures Encourage Strong Leadership Foster Active Participation of Members Cultivate Diverse Membership Promote Collaboration Among Member Agencies Facilitate Group Cohesion Zakocs, Rhonda, Edwards, Erikia, Am J Prev Med 2006;30(4):351–361

We know the problem and we have the people. Now what do we do?

Planning Develop Coalition Mission and Vision Statements Create Coalition Logic Model based on Assessment Data Develop Coalition Goals and Objectives Choose Array of Evidence-Based Strategies to Address each Goal

What is Effective Prevention? Self esteem Sobriety checkpoints Peer refusal Information dissemination Increase legal age Media campaigns Sobriety checkpoints Social host policies Server Training Keg registration After school programs

Comprehensive Community Action Plan Goal 1: Reduce alcohol and drug related deaths and other serious consequences in Broward County by 5-% in two years (FL-MEC et al) Goal 2: Reduce underage drinking among Broward County youth by 10-% (FYSAS)

Comprehensive Community Action Plan Goal 3: Reduce the increasing prevalence of Broward County youth reporting marijuana use by 10-% (FYSAS) Goal 4: Reduce mental health risk among Broward County youth by 5-%. (FYSAS & YRBSS)

Comprehensive Community Action Plan Goal 5: Build community capacity to promote community wellness (Community capacity is defined by increased funding, implementation of evidence-based interventions, applied research, and quantified impact)

Planning When choosing strategies, think about: Does the proposed strategy meet the identified need? Is there evidence that this strategy will work to solve the identified problem? Does your coalition have the capacity to effectively implement the strategy? Is the community ready to implement this strategy?

Implementation Develop Work Plan Follow Work Plan Sets Timelines Allocates Resources Assigns Responsibilities Follow Work Plan

Are we reaching our goals and objectives? Evaluation Are we reaching our goals and objectives?

Evaluation Coalition Process Evaluation Coalition Outcome Evaluation

Activities (measure process) Communities and Coalitions Need Information at Each Step of the Process Problems Activities (measure process) Outputs Outcomes Short Intermediate Long-Term

Activities (measure process) Problems Activities (measure process) Outputs Outcomes What are the substance use problems in our target area? YRBSS FYSAS School Data Community Data Law Enforcement Data

Activities (measure process) Problems Activities (measure process) Outputs Outcomes What strategies and activities did the coalition implement? How do the strategies and activities relate to the problems identified? Were the strategies and activities implemented as planned (i.e. on-time, with identified partners, etc.)

Activities (measure process) Problems Activities (measure process) Outputs Outcomes How many people (youth and adults) did the coalition/provider reach with services? How many people did the coalition/provider reach through media (media impressions)? How many resources did the coalition/provider generate (cash, in-kind, volunteer hours)? How many community actions did the coalition/provider generate? Did the Coalition/ provider create Community Change (changes in laws/ policies)?

Activities (measure process) Problems Activities (measure process) Outputs Outcomes Did the activities lead to results? Short Intermediate Long Term

Levels of Data Program Neighborhood/ City (Provider/Coalition) County (Coalition , Multiple Coalitions and/or Managing Entity) Region (Managing Entity) State

Who Needs the Data? Provider and Coalition Staff Stakeholders/ Partners Community Members Funders Policy-Makers (Local, State and Federal) Researchers

Sustainability/ Maintenance Financial Leadership/ Membership Structure Vision, Mission, Goals, Objectives

What Are the Alternatives to Maintenance? Growing Spinning Off Changing Focus Cutting Back Ending Staying the Way You Are

Questions?