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Building community-based coalition capacity: Planning and implementation of an integrated substance abuse and violence prevention intiative

Regina M. Whitmore, MPH1, Elissa J. Bassler1, Melissa L. Hall, MPH2, Edward Seighman3, Mary Ellen Mate4, Shannon Hartnett, MA2, and Diana N. Derige, MPH1. (1) Illinois Public Health Futures Institute, 100 W. Randolph 6-600, Chicago, IL 60601, 312-814-1891, rwhitmo1@idph.state.il.us, (2) Mental Health Association in Illinois, 188 West Randolph Street, Suite 2225, Chicago, IL 60601, (3) Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 6-600, Chicago, IL 60601, (4) Bureau of Substance Abuse and Prevention, Illinois Department of Human Services, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 6-400, Chicago, IL 60601

Research demonstrates numerous correlations between substance abuse and violence including significant overlaps in risk and protective factors for both areas. The Safe to Live Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (SAVP) initiative, jointly funded by Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Substance Abuse and Prevention (BSAP), was created to address the co-occurrence of substance abuse and violence. The SAVP initiative is a community-based capacity- building effort seeking to link community systems and collaboratively work to meet the goal of reducing substance abuse and violence through primary and secondary prevention efforts.

Peoria County, a diverse community of urban and rural areas with a population of 183,000, was selected to develop and pilot the SAVP initiative. Facilitated by a full-time site coordinator, the SAVP initiative brings together a coalition of key community stakeholders.

The SAVP coalition used two resources to develop their comprehensive, funded strategic plan that addresses issues around the co-occurrence of substance abuse and violence prevention: · A series of fact sheets, developed by IVPA and BSAP, present information regarding substance abuse and violence covering key definitions for violence and substance abuse, co-occurrence of/relationship between violence and substance abuse, risk and protective factors related to violence and substance abuse prevention, best practices for violence and substance abuse prevention, and working toward integration for substance abuse and violence prevention efforts. , · The site director and coalition members were trained in and guided through a Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) process.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

    Keywords: Community Capacity, Partnerships

    Related Web page: app.idph.state.il.us/phfi/

    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.

    The Synergism of Violence and Substance Abuse

    The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA