The Los Angeles County Tobacco Control Program (TCP) has been in partnership with community coalitions since its inception in 1990. The partnership is based on the fundamental belief that permanent social change must come from within the community, and that the change process can be enhanced by providing the community with access to resources. In 1995, the coalitions reoriented themselves along community lines and six population-specific tobacco control community groups were created: African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender, Hispanic/Latino, Women's, and Youth. The mission of the coalitions is to plan and implement community-based activities that decrease exposure to second hand smoke, reduce youth access to tobacco products, and counter pro-tobacco influences in the county. This session will describe the steps involved in coalition formation, capacity building, and community mobilization theorized to result in beneficial changes in policy, social norms, and tobacco use. Coalition activities to be described include funding grass roots movements, organizing ethnically targeted tobacco product protests, conducting community caucuses and forums, and submitting position papers on key public policy issues. The range of these activities attests to the community coalitions' ability to identify the best solutions for tobacco control. Hence, coalitions play a key role in developing local policies and providing valuable direction for a tobacco control program. In conclusion, partnering with coalitions provides a viable approach to produce long term improvements in community health.
Learning Objectives: During this session, the presenters will describe: (1) the rationale for supporting and investing in community coalitions; (2) a logic model for process and impact evaluation of community coalitions; and (3) the accomplishments of diverse community coalitions in Los Angeles County
Keywords: Coalition, Community Collaboration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.