The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49810

Lisa Cordeiro Kricun, MSW, Addiction Services, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 120 S. Stockton Street, P.O.Box 362, Trenton, NJ 08625-0362, 609-984-0286, lisa.kricun@doh.state.nj.us, Joan Krier, CPS, New Jersey Prevention Network, 700 Route 70, Unit #4, Lakewood, NJ 08701, and Diane Litterer, MPA, CPS, Prevention Links, 35 Walnut Avenue, Suite 17, Clark, NJ 07066.

The purpose of Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) Coalitions is to engage local communities to further the goals of New Jersey’s Statewide Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program which are: a) to prevent the initiation of tobacco use by youth, b) to decrease exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, c) to promote quitting among youth and adults and d) to identify and eliminate disparities among populations. Representation on coalitions is reflective of the population diversity inherent in the counties of New Jersey. Coalition members contribute as individuals and/or as affiliated organizations/institutions towards meeting the goals stated above. Coalitions members and/or their affiliating organizations work with county Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) Coalitions Coordinators to reach out to a wide variety of groups including parents, PTA’s, health care providers, social service providers, retailers, and other business leaders, community leaders, representatives of community based organizations, civic groups, law enforcement, faith communities and representatives of minority or special interest groups. The goal of these outreach efforts will be to: a) provide educational presentations on the adverse effects of tobacco use specifically to that community, b) increase membership and representation on coalitions, c) identify community stakeholders who can assist in policy efforts and d) mobilize various groups to develop and implement local tobacco control activities, policies and ordinances. This presentation will describe how these coalitions were developed, how they are managed and what is involved in the critical partnership between the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services and the New Jersey Prevention Network.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Articulate the process by which a state health department and a private non-profit substance abuse prevention network can collaborate on the successful development of Communities Against Tobacco Coalitions across the state of New Jersey.
• 2. Describe the unique qualities and distinctive strengths of Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) Coalitions.
• 3. Discuss the policy changes regarding exposure to environmental tobacco smoke which can occur in communities where coalitions play an active role in health education and advocacy.

Keywords: Community Planning, Community Preventive Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.