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Implementing Community-Based Prevention Programming: A Review of the Literature

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In this review of literature we identify consensually validated conclusions and recommendations for implementing community based prevention programming. The general recommendations identified from the literature are as follows: (1) a community must be ready for a prevention program, (2) effective community coalitions must be developed, (3) programming must fit the community, (4) program fidelity should be maintained, and (5) adequate resources, training, technical assistance, and attention to evaluation are necessary. The existing research and expert opinion in the field of prevention science indicate that when these crucial recommendations are incorporated into community prevention practice, the effectiveness of prevention efforts is optimized.

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Notes

  1. CSAP’s website offers a thorough map for communities through this process of building a successful prevention program, walking through the stages of community readiness and mobilization, needs assessment, prioritizing, resource assessment, focusing efforts, best practices and evaluation. This website also offers a variety of other materials related to prevention (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 2006b).

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Air Force under Agreement Number 2004-48353-03054. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Air Force.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Virginia Tech, 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, USA

    Sandra Stith, Irene Pruitt, Jemeg Dees, Michael Fronce, Narkia Green & Anurag Som

  2. United States Air Force, Colorado Springs, USA

    David Linkh

  3. Human Development Department, Virginia Tech, 7054 Haycock Rd., Falls Church, VA, 22043, USA

    Sandra Stith

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  1. Sandra Stith
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  2. Irene Pruitt
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Correspondence to Sandra Stith.

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Stith, S., Pruitt, I., Dees, J. et al. Implementing Community-Based Prevention Programming: A Review of the Literature. J Primary Prevent 27, 599–617 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-006-0062-8

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