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Overview
The NM Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) is a five year grant intended to incorporate a data driven, community centered, environmental approach into ATOD prevention programming. New Mexico was one of the first five states to receive a SPF SIG from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to incorporate the SPF model into their prevention programming. The SPF model includes 5 steps: 1) Needs Assessment and Prioritizing, 2) Capacity Building, 3) Strategic Planning, 4) Implementation of Environmental Prevention Strategies, and 5) Evaluation. Inherent in the SPF process is that it uses a public health approach, is data driven, addresses problematic substance abuse outcomes and behaviors, uses strategies that are scientifically defensible, and is community/population based.
The Strategic Prevention Framework Model
As a result of receiving the SPF SIG in 2005, a State Epidemiological Workgroup (SEW) was formed to examine state-wide indicators of substance-related outcome and consequences and determine patterns of consumption leading to those outcomes. Using this data driven process, the SEW prioritized alcohol-related motor vehicle (ARMVC) crashes and fatalities (ARMVF) among youth as the priority outcome, and chose to focus on underage and young adult drinking and binge drinking consumption patterns across the state. The figure below presents the logic model for the NM SPF SIG.
In Fiscal Year 2009, 13 programs were identified to continue to receive SPF SIG funding and 3 coalitions were selected to begin to receive SPF SIG funds for a total of 16 SPF SIG funded communities for the FY.
Funding Process
Initial communities were funded through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process that followed the state procurement code to allocate funds to sub-recipients.
The RFP requested several pieces of information:
- A proposed community-wide impact on the selected indicators
- A broad range of collaborators
- A planning model (and plan) for addressing intervening variables and causal factors, with an emphasis on environmental strategies
- Capacity to implement evidence-based activities
- A plan to leverage other initiatives
- A work-plan that identifies several intermediate outcomes
- A plan to measure baseline and periodic indicators
- Demonstration of readiness to act
The state used an allocation model that gave priority to critical need geographic areas and population groups. In addition, priority was given to critical need counties whose resources were lower than the state average. The plan identified an age group (15-24 years old) and ethnic groups (Hispanic and Native American males) where the incidence of fatalities was highest, and extra points were given in the review process to communities that targeted those groups.
The competitive funding process was open to all communities. However, through the awarding of additional points in the scoring process to critical need areas, New Mexico used an allocation planning model that resources critical need geographic areas and population groups to address the State-identified priority problem.
Expectations of Funded Programs
The State’s selected priority of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes among 15 to 24 year olds is required as the over-arching focus, and sub-recipients are required to identify and implement environmental- level prevention strategies focused on addressing the intervening variables that lead to this consequence. Community initiatives should address these problem behaviors with evidence-based programs, strategies and practices.
Needs Assessment
Communities that received competitive SPF funding through the RFP process conducted an initial needs assessment in response to the RFP. As a requirement of each local project, local evaluators participated with these communities in the collection of available local data pertaining to alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. Programs also identified gaps in local data in order to address data development and collection in the future. In addition, as part of the needs assessment process, local programs began to identify community readiness and capacity to implement prevention strategies.
Capacity
Following the award of funds to communities, capacity building activities were supported during the first quarter. Capacity has continued to be addressed through out the grant process when such needs arise. Numerous trainings and technical assistance offerings have been provided by the State and the Southwest Center for Applied Prevention Technology to support the expansion of local capacity to address SPF SIG priorities.
Some Trainings Available:
- Prevention Generalist Training
- Problem-Focused Planning
- Cultural Competency: Working in Traditional, Minority, and Immigrant Communities
- Data Collection/Needs Assessment
- Using Logic Models for Planning
- Coalition Building
- Evidence-Based Environmental Strategies
- Media and Social Marketing
- Advocacy and Public Policy
Planning
Using the local data collected, projects next identified a set of intervening variables (also referred to as causal factors) and risk and protective factors that contribute directly to problematic alcohol consumption patterns and ultimately alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes and fatalities among 15 to 25 year olds in the local community. Funded programs created strategic plans that linked specific environmental level strategies to each of the identified intervening variables. Planning also addressed building of community capacity and readiness to implement strategies and sustain efforts over time. It included local planning to create broad collaborative working processes and coalitions across communities, counties, or tribal areas to collectively focus on one particular problem. Local evaluators participated closely with local stakeholders in order to design the data-driven community planning processes.
Implementation
Currently projects are busily involved in the implementation of strategies to address targeted intervening variables. All activities in which a SPF SIG community engages should be evidence-based, whether programs, practices, or strategies. Implementations also place on-going emphasis on coalition building and environmental strategies.
Evaluation
The Evaluation of the SPF SIG involves both local evaluators and a state level evaluator. Local evaluators are tasked with assisting local prevention programs with the needs assessment process. The local evaluator helps identify and collect local data to use in the local level assessment and evaluation process. She or he also works closely with the state-level evaluator to collect data for the statewide evaluation process. In addition, the local level evaluator works with the community to revise and update the local needs assessment and strategic plan as needed. Local evaluators should practice on-going “empowerment” and participatory evaluation. New Mexico’s SPF SIG evaluation project includes the collection and analysis of all National Outcome Measures (NOMS) and submission to CSAP as appropriate.
SPF SIG Programs and Contact Information
Key SPF SIG Personnel
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