An Action Plan is a comprehensive and sequential method of moving from a problem in your community (the needs statement) to developing goals, objectives, activities and outcome measures. This process is referred to as a “logic model.” Action Plans describe where you are going and how you will get there. Each course of action is termed an “intervention.”
Although coalitions may come up with some very creative and fun activities for their communities, Operation UNITE’s goal is to provide programs that will help alleviate substance abuse problems. In order to accomplish this mission, UNITE is tying its funding for coalitions to projects that will have a measurable impact on some aspect of the drug problem. Even with great ideas, good information, and goodwill of caring people, without a plan a coalition's energy and activities can be wasted.
Your coalition will need to submit an action plan and budget for each funding cycle to be eligible for reimbursement from UNITE. College coalitions should incorporate their activities as part of the county's coalition request. In the event your coalition has a project that will be implemented during more than one funding cycle you will need to identify the costs for each period and submit them separately.
You will need four forms to complete an Action Plan:
• Action Plan Funding Request Form (NEW). To download click here.
• Action Plan Logic Model Form. To download click here.
• Action Plan Resource Form. To download click here.
To learn more about Funding Coalitions and obtain a copy of the 15-page "Coalition Projects & Expenditures Guide" for the 2nd half of 2008 click here.
The Process
The first step in drafting an action plan is to create a problem statement. This statement should be a single issue. In making the statement avoid placing blame for the problem.
After deciding on a specific problem in your community, identify the root causes by asking the question, “But why?” Probe further by asking the question, “But why here?” Map your coalition activities and strategies to the root causes they are intended to change.
Once the root cause has been identified, your coalition should select an intervention (or activity) to address that problem. To attack the problem from every side, the following types of interventions need to be implemented. Your coalition may determine how best to do each of these in your community.
- Providing information.
- Enhancing skills.
- Providing support (social support, peer support, etc.)
- Change incentives or consequences.
- Reduce barriers or enhance access (time, distance, etc.)
- Change the physical design of the environment.
- Modify policies and broaden systems.
Next, identify the action steps you will take to achieve your goals and objectives. This should identify a role for each sector of the community or group involved in your effort. For each action step or change to be accomplished, list the following with a completion date for each:
- What actions or changes will occur? When?
- Who will carry it out? By when (or for how long)?
- What resources are needed? By when?
- Communication. Who should know what? When?
When completing an Action Plan your coalition needs to examine what projects are currently being implemented, anticipated funding requests from community partners, and costs for annual events. The length of time it takes to construct an Action Plan depends entirely on how well your coalition is organized. If your group already has a mission statement and goals, the process will be easier.
Upon completion of each project identified in your Action Plan coalitions must complete an "Action Plan Progress Report". To complete this report on-line click here.
For your coalition to be reimbursed you must complete an Action Plan Reimbursement Form and submit appropriate receipts. To download this form click here. |
