Supporting Action Planning with DELTA PREP Coalitions to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence

Background: The aim of the DELTA PREP initiative is to build the capacity of 19 statewide coalitions to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) before it occurs. This paper describes the process of action planning to help coalitions build capacity for primary prevention. Methods: Nineteen coalitions participated in one of four regional action planning workshops. These two-day action planning workshops consisted of a presentation of core action planning concepts. Participants developed the components of their action plans using an “Inventory of Potential Changes in Your Organization” and an “Action Planning Workbook.” Action plans were shared and refined during group discussion. Participants also discussed bringing their action plan back to their broader coalitions and building consensus on its implementation. Results: Participants from each coalition developed a draft action plan. Coalitions planned for a variety of organizational changes to build capacity for the primary prevention of IPV. The majority of the organizational changes were closely related to those listed in the “Inventory of Potential Changes,” while fewer changes were outside of the inventory. Overall, participants were satisfied with the process of action planning. Conclusions: Effective training for action planning involves both instruction and participation. Action planning can help members of IPV coalitions begin the process of incorporating the primary prevention of IPV into their services (rather than only traditional victim services). Technical assistance should be provided beyond the training workshop to support efforts to bring about organizational change related to the primary prevention of IPV.