Free, on demand training for coalition members

CADCA provides many free resource for community coalitions.  One of them is a one-hour broadcast that may be viewed on demand: Understanding Your Influence.

Coalition members can have far-reaching influence in their communities. Working to change laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies is frequently involved.  Policy change is often the fastest way to see population-level impacts and enhance drug-free environments for youth and families. 

During the webcast, participants will learn:

• how coalitions can use the power they have to create positive change in their communities. 
• what coalitions can and can’t do as far as advocacy and lobbying are concerned. 
• how changes to laws and policies can improve enforcement, reduce access and availability of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and increase social disapproval of drug use. 

Environmental prevention: policy

Earlier today my blog topic was environmental prevention. During the DFC New Grantee Training, I attended a workshop about promoting policies that are proven to reduce youth substance abuse. Policy advocacy is considered an environmental prevention strategy.

The session started off with the question, "What policies (at what level?) can help make the population-level change you want to make in your community?" There are many settings within a community in which policy can make a difference.

When planning to advocate for policy change, it's important for coalition's to also ask themselves:

-- Is this winnable?

-- Is there energy behind it?

-- Is it worth the effort?

At least in the beginning of policy advocacy work, it is essential that coalition's find success to keep and build momentum.

The workshop went on to discuss different policies to address different factors contributing to youth substance abuse. Below are two factors present in northeast Seattle.

The last part of the workshop dealt with the steps to take when advocating for policy.

Policy advocacy is best when many voices are heard. A high level of support behind a policy is extremely important and it needs to be seen and recognized by the community and policy-makers.

The entire handout from the workshop if available on the coalition's website.

Leadership forum scholarships available

The annual Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Leadership Forum will be held in the Washington, DC area February 9-12, 2009. The forum includes many opportunities to learn about what prevention activities are working in communities around the nation and features a Capitol Hill Day, when advocates meet with their federal representatives.

Scholarships are available and applications must be submitted by December 22.