Learning Objectives: Organize and categorize community coalition reports into useable process measures
Abstract: Problem: Community-based coalitions are widely acknowledged as important for grass-roots tobacco control campaigns, but their activities and effects are typically difficult to capture. To support continued funding, particularly in times of decreasing resources, quick snapshots that describe what coalitions accomplish, and to what degree they have mobilized community resources become increasingly important.
Method: Twenty community-based coalitions were funded by the Vermont Department of Health Tobacco Control Program in 2002. While detailed monitoring forms were being developed, we sought to provide a categorical synthesis that could be quickly shared with key stakeholders to communicate key aspects of program activities. We first developed a common categorical framework to organize the diverse and variously described activities. To measure community mobilization, another marker for coalition success, we also developed categories for types of collaborating organizations. We reviewed two sources of existing data: work specifications from grantee contracts, and quarterly reports, and developed categories based on the array of activities. We then created a spreadsheet to track whether each coalition had conducted specific types of activities or collaborated with specific types of organizations.
Results: This simple rapid feedback system not only allowed coordinators to monitor whether each coalition was addressing required program goals, but also to demonstrate graphically what coalitions do. For instance, the spreadsheet showed 80% of coalitions conducted school-based programs, 90% sponsored youth-led initiatives, and 50% coordinated retailer trainings to prevent youth sales of tobacco.
Conclusion: This system proved a low-cost tool for describing coalition accomplishments to those considering reducing program funding.
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