The Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) partners with UK Family Consumer Science on the SAMSHA Rural Opioid Technical Assistance grant to help reduce the burden of mental health issues that lead to substance use. The CEDIK Extension Specialist works with communities in creating effective (or strengthening existing) community health coalitions to address current health needs including substance use disorders and mental health. A pilot, virtual training was developed and provided once a month (March 2021 – June 2021) for 12 community health coalition leaders. Each leader committed to reading the book, Ignite! Getting Your Community Coalition "Fired Up" for Change by Frances Dunn Butterfoss. Each month the specialist led a facilitated discussion on the assigned reading and provided additional resources and training pertinent to the chapter content. 

The trainings include topics and tools that the leaders can use to educate/train their individual coalitions resulting in stronger coalitions working towards healthier communities. Pilot counties include: Adair, Carroll, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Muhlenberg, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne. Topics presented include: Tools for Effective Virtual Coalition Meetings, Starting (or recharging) a Coalition, SWOT analysis, Coalition Guidelines, By Laws and MOU, Determining Purpose, Mission,  and Vision of Coalition, Membership Recruitment and Retention: individuals and organizations, Effective Communication for Coalitions, Prioritizing Strategies, and Sustainability.

The health coalition leaders report implementing new strategies that they learned in the monthly trainings and that the knowledge gained and tools provided have been most beneficial following the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent shut down of coalition meetings. 

Coalition leader quotes: 

“I have been working with coalitions for many years and was so in need of a fresh approach and recharge. Because of COVID we have had virtual meetings for almost a year. We are now gearing up for in person meetings again so the training was perfect timing.  The training has allowed me to look at the basics of coalition building and think about changes we might need to implement as we begin meeting and essentially building our coalition.” Health Educator, LCDHD, Adair County, KY

“The training has gotten me thinking how important positive relationships is among coalition members as it brings unity which generates community collaboration.” Health Educator, LCDHD, Russell County, KY 

“The facilitated discussions regarding the Ignite! Getting Your Community Coalition "Fired Up" for Change have really helped me with providing direction to an existing coalition. Our coalition is in the process of rebuilding and we are looking to address gaps in membership. COVID has not made the rebuilding process easy and I appreciate this help in moving forward.” Health Educator, LCDHD, McCreary County, KY