A vehicle for bringing together community sectors to develop and carry out strategies to reduce substance abuse problems

Elements (sectors) impacted by a problem that all contribute to carrying out strategies.

A coalition is not a program although partners often carry out programs as their “piece” of the community-wide strategic plan.

Coalitions Address Multiple Causes – Coalitions insure that all causes of identified problems are addressed.-Identifies and reports salient personal and environmental risk factors-Attempts systems level solutions (Integration, coordination, policy, and practice changes) Key Actors for Coalitions-Action in coalitions is diffused and taken by all members.-Coalition staff plays a coordinating and supportive role-Members (Sector Representatives) act within their own spheres of influence enlarging the coalition’s ability to create changes and implement strategies-New members are invited to join in an effort to increase the coalition’s sphere of influence and gain needed capacity.-Coalition staff assists with support for planning, problem solving, and information management (evaluation, reporting, etc.) 

1. Providing InformationEducational presentations, workshops orseminars or other presentations of data. • Public Service Announcements• Brochures• Billboards• Meetings• Forums• Web-based Communications 

2. Enhancing SkillsActivities designed to increase the skills of participants to achieve population-level outcomes• Workshops and seminars• Training and technical assistance• Distance learning• Planning retreats• Curricula Development 

3. Providing SupportCreating opportunities to support activities that reduce risk or enhance protection•Providing alternative activities•Mentoring•Referrals•Support groups or clubs 

4. Enhancing Access/ Reducing BarriersImproving systems and processes to increase the ease, ability and opportunity to utilize those systems and services.• Justice and education• Special needs• Cultural and language sensitivity• Healthcare andchildcare• Transportation and housing• Safety 

5. Changing ConsequencesIncentives/Disincentives: Increasing or decreasing the probability of a specific behavior by altering the consequences of that behavior•Increasing public recognition•Individual and business rewards•Taxes, citations, and fines•Revocation/loss of privileges 

6. Physical DesignChanging the physical design or structure of the environment to reduce risk or enhance protection•Parks•Landscape•Signage•Lighting•Outlet density 

7. Modifying/Changing PoliciesFormal change in written procedures, by-laws, proclamations, rules or laws with written documentation, and/or voting procedures•Workplace initiatives•Law enforcement procedures and practices•Public policy actions•Systems change within government, communities and organizations