What is SPF-SIG?

The Prevention WINS coalition in northeast Seattle is funded by a SPF-SIG grant from the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA). So, what is SPF-SIG, you ask?

SPF-SIG stands for Strategic Prevention Framework - State Incentive Grant. These grants have been awarded to states from the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) uses a five-step process that guides communities as they plan for, implement, and evaluate prevention programs. More information about SPF-SIG is available by clicking here. The link includes a link to a Web-based application to help communities undertake each of the five steps.

UK delegation learns about Washington prevention programs

Earlier this month, a delegation from the UK visited Seattle to learn about implementing tested and effective prevention programs . They spent the week visiting different programs and learning from local experts in the field.

One of the programs they learned about is the Olweus bullying prevention program implemented in Seattle Public Schools. They visited Washington Middle School and interviewed Celia Arriaga, the district's bullying prevention expert.

Members of the Prevention WINS coalition (NE Seattle) and the coordinator of the Quincy Communities That Care coalition provided the delegation with a first-hand look at how coalitions are implementing underage drinking prevention programs.

The delegation blogged about their experiences and for their last two days they blogged about lessons learned about the Communities That Care (CTC) operating system from the Social Development Research Group. CTC is very similar to the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) that coalitions such as Prevention WINS use to guide decisions. Their comments include:

First, it is possible to combine rigorous prevention science with community engagement and a passion for change.

“I’ve seen how science and community engagement can be linked. I didn’t think there was a model for this.”

“CTC makes me reflect on my community development days – building capacity to get communities to engage.”

“I’ve seen passion and rigour and integrity. It has been interesting to see a new take on community development. It’s re-invented what I saw 30 years ago.”

Port Angeles coalition to launch social norms marketing campaign

The SPF-SIG coalition in Port Angeles is launching a social norms marketing campaign. Above is their "warm up message". They are going to use it as a window cling and then in their parent newsletter and in places that 7th/8th grade parents frequent.

The coalition plans to develop and add on messages using their community survey results to guide them. One message will be, " . . . because Port Angeles parents ask their kids where they are and who they are with." These messages will be done mostly through posters.

What other coalitions are up to -- part 1

The Franklin Pierce Youth First Coalition (a SPF-SIG coalition in the Tacoma area) recently hosted a Fun Run and Discovery Health Fair. About 85 people, including students, participated in the fun run and about 150 others were there to volunteer, see vendors at the fair, or participate with children in field games.

Other coalitions in WA

Prevention Works in Seattle (formerly NE Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking) is one of twelve coalitions in Washington funded by a SPF-SIG grant from the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA). DASA's February edition of "Focus" highlights the activities and accomplishments of a few coalitions in eastern Washington.

Asotin City Council Supports Youth Coalition (page 8) describes how the city council in this town in the southeast corner of the state voted to support the vision, mission, and goals of their local coalition.

The Science of the Positive: Social Norms Marketing (last page) describes how three coalition's are working with Jeff Linkenbach to create social norms marketing campaigns.

Billboard in Wenatchee

The Orchard Middle School Youth Alcohol Prevention Coalition recently launched a six-month social norms campaign in their community (Wenatchee). The billboard pictured here is part of that campaign.

Like in NE Seattle, most Wenatchee parents monitor their children, a positive social norm that prevents underage drinking.

The Orchard coalition is one of the twelve funded by a SPF-SIG grant from the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. The NE Seattle coalition is also one of those twelve communities.

For more information on social norms marketing campaigns, check out the Most of Us project.