The new emphasis placed on science-based substance abuse prevention creates challenges for community preventionists, for providers of technical assistance to local practitioners, and for researchers who study the implementation and impact of these programs. Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc. (SSRE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Northeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), have begun a pilot study to: 1) increase understanding of the factors that advance or complicate implementation of science-based prevention programs from the perspectives of program practitioners, prevention researchers, and state program planners 2) develop strategies to facilitate program implementation based on study results
The project consists of three steps:
1. Pilot data about factors that advance or complicate program implementation is being collected through interviews with samples of practitioners working in local prevention coalitions, members of the Massachusetts prevention center technical assistance system, and researchers studying this issue. Local practitioners include both those who have implemented or planned to implement evidence-based prevention programs and those who have not. 2. The findings from the interviews will be summarized and shared with all the respondents who will then participate in a facilitated discussion group to share their opinions about and identify strategies that may serve to improve the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs.
This presentation will review the findings of these pilot interviews and results of the group discussion. Possible interventions to improve the promotion and delivery of evidence-based prevention programs will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant(learner)in this session will be able to: 1. Identify key factors that advance or complicate the implementation of science-based prevention programs from the perspectives of program practitioners, prevention researchers, and state program planners. 2. Articulate possible strategies to facilitate the implementation of science-based substance abuse prevention programs
Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Public Health Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Northeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT)
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.