Authentic community engagement involves substantive give and take with those outside the college who have an interest in the decisions that are made, or who potentially have a role to play in strengthening the college's work. Such engagement efforts begin with a commitment to building new or improved forms of partnership across various silos and…

UNESCO established the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) to encourage the development of learning cities. By providing technical support, capacity development, and a platform where members can share ideas on policies and best practice, this international exchange network helps urban communities create thriving learning cities. The…

Within a system, change affects stakeholders differently. Consequently, when making changes in the mental health system, mental health agencies should expect varied reactions from staff, community members, consumers, and families. Since misunderstandings can stymie efforts to implement evidence-based and promising practices, it is important to…

When the bell rings at the end of a school day, millions of children are left to their own devices while they wait for their families to return home at the end of the work day. Findings from a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, "America After 3PM," show that 15.1 million children are unsupervised when the school day ends. The…

Based on the collective experience of various community groups, this manual explores the steps for planning community playgrounds from the original inspiration to the final work day. It covers the planning approach, including community meeting management, committee development, safety issues, equipment options, funding, site selection, and…

This booklet explains some of the basic characteristics and functions of third-party consultations, a problem-solving model in which community intergroup conflicts are resolved with the assistance of a third party in a face-to-face interchange and problem-solving process. The guide, intended for use by consultants, is divided into eight sections.…

A synopsis of a Planning Assistance Kit designed by the Council of Educational Facility Planners (CEFP) and Educational Facilities Laboratories (EFL) to assist local communities in participatory planning. (MLF)

Coalitions have been used successfully in the United States to tackle a number of seemingly intractable problems. For communities that want to reduce their underage drinking problem, putting together a broad-based coalition can bring substantial dividends. In this guide, readers will learn the steps that bring together a diverse group of people in…

The resources contained in this guide represent a comprehensive list of organizations that have an interest in or knowledge about underage drinking issues. The list begins with the individuals and organizations involved in the National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives (NAGHSR) Underage Drinking Project, including the names…

This pamphlet provides practical information on using volunteers to lower student/teacher ratios and raise reading and math scores through more individualized instruction during a time of tight district budgets and increased pressure for improved student achievement. The multitude of services which a volunteer program may provide depends upon the…

To debunk the myth that evaluation is a process better left to people with a PhD, this guide describes how organizations and coalitions can develop and utilize an evaluation strategy to make underage drinking prevention programs successful and effective. This booklet first describes the purpose of evaluation as well as the myths and facts about…

One of the most effective ways to raise awareness about a problem and generate support for solutions is through the media. This guide describes the basic principles of media relations that can help organizations develop an effective media strategy for underage drinking prevention. The tools that are necessary for this strategy, including news…

Suggestions for developing active school-community partnerships are offered in this guidebook, which is based on the experiences of many Wisconsin communities. A central theme is that today's public schools must rediscover the importance of integrating the entire community with the formal education process and lifelong learning. Chapter 1…

A comprehensive needs assessment is the critical first step a coalition or organization must take in order to develop an effective and successful underage drinking prevention effort. This guide details the elements of a needs assessment. Beginning with data, the booklet walks the reader through the process organizations must follow to obtain all…

Underage drinking prevention has two goals: prevent harm to the individual drinker and prevent harm to society. Modern prevention programs should be measured not by their intentions, but by their consequences: reducing the number of criminal events, reducing the amount of harm to individuals, and reducing the harm to society. This guide discusses…