Step 4: Implement prevention strategies and infrastructure development

Step four is the “doing” step, and many groups want to start here, without engaging in the requisite foundation building in steps one through three.  Yet the importance of the previous steps cannot be underestimated if a coalition wants sustained change within the community.

The key to step four is staying focused on the vision, mission, logic model development and strategic planning that occurred in step three.  Coalitions can be tempted by new programming opportunities that distract from the established plan.  Coalitions can also become reactive to the domino effect that occurs when implementation begins.  While some reaction is necessary, staying focused on the coalition’s plan is essential.

This step can involve individuals or committees taking different actions, all within the scope of the overall strategic plan. From a leadership perspective, all this activity can be exciting, yet simultaneously daunting: While implementation demonstrates the coalition’s energy and commitment, maintaining oversight without micro-managing can be a challenge. Coalition members must step to the plate to honor the commitments they have made to the action steps, and leadership must walk the fine line between motivating and hounding.

One means of effectively managing this dynamic is for the coalition members themselves to be responsible for monitoring each other’s efforts. This can take the oversight focus off the leadership (or staff, if any exists), while also providing members with even more ownership in the coalition’s efforts. Determining methods for monitoring will also provide the means to acquire key data for evaluation of both the process and the outcomes of coalition initiatives.

A natural evolution of this stage is further development of the coalition’s infrastructure.  Committees and subcommittees may develop organically as the strategic plan is implemented.  A coalition may decide to hire staff or contract with a consultant to do specific work identified in the plan.  While the core focus – vision, mission, logic model and strategic plan and selected environmental strategies – maintains integrity, the methods and infrastructure of implementation may change as necessary to meet the goals of the plan.

Some of the tasks involved in the implementation stage:

• Set clear priorities for actions the community must undertake in order to prevent and/or reduce the identified substance abuse problem(s).
• Identify resources – time, dollars, and more – that coalition members and others are willing to contribute to implementation of the strategies.
• Determine methods to monitor and document both the implementation process and the eventual outcomes.

Access the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) primer on implementation.

Continue to Step 5: Monitor progress and evaluate effectiveness
Return to Ohio Center for Coalition Excellence page