Series Overview:
Unlock the secrets to coalition success with the key organizational elements that assist coalitions of all types to operate efficiently and effectively. This *7-session Enhanced Prevention Learning Series (EPLS)* will have a special focus on coalitions that promote healthy youth development to reduce substance misuse and other related problem behaviors. Participants will explore a variety of organizational principles that will assist them in the overall development of their coalition by learning more about how to engage and sustain the involvement of key stakeholders and members over time, how to utilize dynamic group-development strategies, and how their efforts can connect with other coalition efforts in their area.
The learning series is structured to provide online consultation, skill-based learning and practice, group and self-study activities, reading assignments, and discussion on topics essential to an effective community coalition structure when focusing on primary prevention.
Participants will have the opportunity during the course to discuss specific “next steps” questions.
By the end of the EPLS, participants will be able to:
- Explore diverse community sectors and ways to engage them in prevention efforts
- Showcase effective strategies to key leader engagement and sustaining their continued support
- Discuss the importance of member engagement and ways to strengthen the relationship over time
- Demonstrate the importance and key elements of group goal directedness
- Describe the elements of efficient meetings and group development
- Explore the importance of understanding the prevention landscape and determining how to make connections
Audience:
Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.
Facilitator:
Meghan Blevins, MA, has over 15 years of experience in healthy youth development, and community enhancement, including juvenile justice, prevention science, coalition building and maintenance, needs assessments, and data-driven decision-making for improved community outcomes. She started her journey of community enhancement as a Juvenile Justice programming supervisor at the Olivet Boys & Girls Club and with Berks County Juvenile Probation in Reading, PA, as a programmatic (and fun!) alternative for adjudicated youth who may otherwise be heading to placement. Seeing the changes in youth during the duration of programs, but wondering if there was data to validate the youth improvements led her to work as a Systems Change Specialist at Penn State University’s Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center’s EPISCenter. In this role, she helps guide communities through the Communities That Care (CTC) process as a certified CTC coach, and supports local and state prevention collaboration.
Currently, Meghan is a Research Associate with the Dawn Chorus Group, focusing on people and communities collectively working toward social, environmental, and well-being goals. These goals and projects include Energize Delaware’s Empowerment Grant promoting energy equity, healthy homes, and the Social Determinants of Health, and WE in the World and CDC’s well-being and vaccine hesitancy and health equity within underserved communities. She has had the honor of presenting at numerous Pennsylvania-based conferences, as well as the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development conference, CADCA’s 28th National Leadership Forum, developed and presented “Organizational Elements for Effective Coalitions” Enhanced Prevention Learning Series through the Prevention Enhancement Technology Center (PTTC) funded through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Meghan serves/served on the board for the PA Youth Survey, PA Coalition on Domestic Violence, Reading Beautification, Inc., and The Coalition for the Promotion of Behavioral Health, as well as a guest lecturer and field instructor for multiple colleges and universities. Looking to further improve community health, Meghan earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Psychology and Social Change from Penn State University and likes to dance, all activities on the water, and time at the beach.
Dates and Times:
States & American Samoa:
Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 2024
03:00 pm – 04:30 pm Pacific
12:00 pm – 01:30 pm Hawaii
11:00 am – 12:30 pm American Samoa
Pacific Jurisdictions:
Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 2024
10:00 am – 11:30 am Republic of the Marshal Islands
09:00 am – 10:30 am Pohnpei and Kosrae
08:00 am – 09:30 am Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap
07:00 am – 08:30 am Republic of Palau
Certificates:
Up to 16.5 hours of continuing education hours can be earned in this series. Participants who complete the entire course will receive a certificate of attendance for 16.5 hours. Participants who miss more than two sessions will not receive a certificate. Participants will need to confirm with their certification board to determine if these certification hours are accepted towards their specific certification requirements.
Register Here:
Organizational Elements of Effective Coalitions Registration Page
Cost is Free!
Questions?
Please Contact Reagan Hart ([email protected]) for any questions related to registration. For all other questions, please contact Clarissa Lam Yuen ([email protected]).