State of Arkansas Investment in

Coalition Excellence Pays Dividends

Six Arkansas community coalitions were recognized at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)�s National Leadership Forum XIX in Washington? DC on February 11th. The coalitions graduated from the National Coalition Academy, a comprehensive training program developed by CADCA's National Coalition Institute.

The six Arkansas coalitions are funded by DHS Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADAP). Their funding is part of a multi-million dollar Strategic Prevention Framewodk State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) that was awarded to Arkansas in 2005 by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

The National Coalition Academy is a year-long innovative training program that combines three-weeks of classroom training, distance learning and Web-support to teach your community what it needs to know and what it needs to do tos tart and/or sustain a highly effective anti-drug coalition. The state of Arkansas invested in its own coalition infrastructure and saved travel costs by working with CADCA's Coalition Institute to develop its own state Academy. Year-long training sessions took place in 2008.

"The best solution to solving substance abuse problems is by having local people identify and take responsibility for implementing those solutions and that is exactly what these coalitions have done," said Fran Flener, State Drug Director.

The successful graduate coalitions, recognized by CADCA are: Drug Free Rogers-Lowell, Rogers, AR, Cross County Alcohol and Drug Prevention? Coalition, Wynne, AR; Madison County Community Coalition, Huntsville, AR; Scott County Health and Education Coalition SCHEC, Waldron, AR; TOUCH Coalition, El Dorado, AR, and WISE - White County Invested in Substance Abuse Eradication, Searcy, AR.

Melissa Gasaway, Coordinator for the SCHEC, said, "Our coalition efforts in the community are beginning to change community norms and attitudes about underage drinking. All sectors of the community are working together to protect and help our youth live healthier and better lives."

The coalitions sharpened their skills in: creating and maintaining partnerships, sustainability, cultural competency, assessment, prevention planning and implementation and evaluation. By the end of the training, all 6 graduates came away from the experience with a number of important operational tools that will help them survive--and even thrive in this difficult economic time.

To learn more about the National Coalition Academy visit: www.cadca.org. Also, visit www.arunderagedrinking.com