Collaboration

Collaboration is a process of participation through which people, groups, and organizations come together in a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship to work toward results they are more likely to achieve together than alone. More often than not collaboration is viewed as a technique by which agencies and organizations pool their human resources to maximize the dollars they have. However, in the field of prevention it is also regarded as a value. Collaboration reflects a point a view: that by working together partners, formal or informal, can bring different perspectives to bear to solve a problem and bring about change. Collaboration can have a positive impact on the health and quality of life of a state or community. Thinking and behaving collaboratively has been shown to be effective in raising awareness about substance abuse and violence and in coordinating prevention and treatment services. Specific resources on the Collaboration StrategySite:

Collaboration: A Strategy for Prevention Practitioners —A 17-page paper on collaboration: what it means as a prevention strategy and how you can incorporate it in to your work as a prevention practitioner. It addresses the Continuum of Collaboration, Benefits and Costs of Collaborating, Types of Collaboration, Stages of Collaboration and Characteristics of Effective Collaboration Leaders.

Collaboration Fact Sheet and Illustration —(Webpage,  Acrobat 2 pages) A collaboration fact sheet that describes ways in which collaboration is used in substance abuse prevention, plus an illustration—a real-life example of collaboration in action.

Collaboration Resources —A collaboration resources section.

Collaboration video transcript—Transcript of a video, featuring the New Haven Fighting Back, created by CSAP's Northeast CAPT and used in trainings.

Multiple Strategies video transcript—Transcript of a video, featuring the Gloucester Prevention Network, created by CSAP's Northeast CAPT and used in trainings.

CSAP's Northeast CAPT Prevention Framework - Key elements used to support the application of science-based substance abuse prevention programs and strategies at the regional, state and local levels. This framework guides our work by defining major areas of consideration in science-based prevention providing a broad overview of the theoretical foundation of a comprehensive prevention approach guiding practitioners through a clear program planning process. This diagram lays out both the elements and the processes necessary for effective prevention approaches.

Prevention: What's Science Got to Do with It?— (Webpage, Acrobat 24 pages) A digest that provides information on all seven of the prevention strategies.

Improving the Larger Environment —(Webpage, Acrobat 16 pages) An overview that provides more information on environmental change as an effective approach to prevention.

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