Stories

Aligning Existing Efforts in Prevention Planning in Morris County, NJ

As members of the Safe Start Initiative in Morris County, New Jersey, worked more closely together, they realized they were most effective when member organizations agreed to complete tasks that aligned with their existing activities. In order to strengthen the skills of parents and caregivers, the steering committee had to be realistic about how each member organization’s mandate and funding overlapped with the coalition’s goals. This deeper understanding of member organizations’ priorities enabled the coalition to develop short- and long-term objectives, and a multi-year work plan to guide their efforts and hold member organizations accountable.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/communication-resources/efc-building-community-commitment.pdf

Building a Prevention Coalition in Rural Oregon

More than 30 local agencies, organizations, and businesses make up the UP2USNow Child Abuse Prevention Coalition in rural Oregon. Coalition members and partners are influential in the community, and represent the residents of Douglas County. UP2USNow has also made a point to regularly partner with youth to advance its cause. For example, the coalition sponsors the Youth Media Project, which trains students on prevention, messaging, and video production. To raise awareness about preventing child abuse, the young people interview coalition partners and community members about their work, and create public service announcements and videos that are shared online and aired on local television.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/communication-resources/efc-building-community-commitment.pdf

Engaging Influential Allies in Breckenridge, MN

The violence prevention collaborative based in Breckenridge, Minnesota, engaged influential allies as one of its first steps. It brought together professionals on the front lines, those who witness how violence affects children, such as social workers, schools, law enforcement, and emergency room staff. These allies had agreed from the outset to “stay open and listen without preconceived notions” and continued to support the initiative after community input called for a shift in the collaborative’s focus. The support of these powerful groups added legitimacy to the initiative and increased referral rates for hard-to-reach families.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/communication-resources/efc-building-community-commitment.pdf

Stakeholder Engagement in Laurel County, KY

The Sheriff of Laurel County, Kentucky, was committed to reducing methamphetamine abuse and raising awareness about the connection between child abuse and drug addiction. He hosted community meetings at unlikely venues, such as fire stations and Elks Lodges, and invited health educators and children’s advocates to travel with him throughout the county. These discussions emphasized that preventing child abuse was a community responsibility, not just the purview of law enforcement, and highlighted the role of neighborhood organizations and the regional medical center in promoting safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/communication-resources/efc-building-community-commitment.pdf