An Equation to Coalition Success: Findings from the 2005-2013 Annual Survey of Coalitions

Since 2005, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America has implemented the Annual Survey of Coalitions, the only comprehensive inventory of substance abuse prevention coalitions in the United States.  This web-based survey collects a variety of longitudinal information on coalitions, including demographics, interventions/strategies, membership, internal functioning, and engagement in community and system change efforts.  According to the over 6,900 Annual Survey responses, this session will present key findings and identify two key factors associated with coalition success: coalition implementation of new or modified program or policy changes. In a preliminary analysis of the 2013 Annual Survey data, correlates of success included size of coalition budget, number of coalition volunteers, coalition buy-in from community organizations, and utilization of coalition planning products (community assessment, logic model, strategic/action plan, and evaluation plan).  Further analysis of the longitudinal database (2005 through 2013) will expand upon these findings and will be discussed in terms of implications of successful community change for coalitions in other disciplines.