Special Population Coalition Capacity Checklist 2025/2026

Special Population Coalition Capacity Checklist 2025/2026

1.What coalition are you a member of?(Required.)
2.Vision, mission and goals: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition's vision, mission, and goals are clear and well-documented
Community residents are aware of our vision, mission and goals
Our coalition periodically re-assesses and updates its mission and goals
We evaluate our coalition's activities in light of its mission and goals
Our coalition's vision, mission, and goals consider the needs and views of the community
Coalition members agree with the coalition's vision, mission, and goals
3.Coalition structure and membership: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
All of the necessary sectors of the community are represented including members from the special populations
Our coalition membership includes more than just professional and organizational representation, i.e., parents, youth, vulnerable communities etc.
The majority of our coalition members are active in our meetings and/or activities
Coalition members roles and responsibilities are well-defined
Our coalition has active committees or work groups
The persons needed to attend coalition meetings are usually there
Members communicate with one another as needed (not just at scheduled meetings)
4.Coalition Leadership - Our coalition coordinator and coalition leadership... (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Effectively promotes the mission and goals of the coalition
Encourages open dialog and expression of views among members
Utilizes the skills and experience of the members
Distributes responsibilities and tasks effectively
Is skillful at building positive relationships with community partners
Keeps the coalition focused on, and progressing towards its goals
5.Outreach and communication: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition keeps the community updated on its activities (e.g., through a newsletter, website, Facebook)
Our coalition goes to "where the residents are" to do outreach and to enhance its understanding of community issues
Our coalition engages the target population to help inform its planning efforts
Our coalition works effectively with local media outlets
6.Coalition meetings and communications: (with 1 being weak or never and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition has a regular meeting schedule
Agendas are sent to members in advance
Meetings are an efficient and effective use of my time
Meetings are held in centrally accessible, comfortable places and at convenient times for all members
If unable to attend meetings consistently, there are alternative ways for members to contribute their expertise
Conflicts are resolved in an orderly and respectful manner
Meeting minutes are recorded
There are clear guidelines for decision-making
Guidelines for decision-making are followed consistently
Meeting minutes, agendas, resources, etc. are easily accessible through electronic mailings or website postings
7.Opportunities for member growth and responsibility: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
New members receive an orientation and copies of relevant background materials
Our coalition makes a conscious effort to develop new leaders
Training is provided to members on relevant topics
We use mentoring or some other means to help less experienced members learn what is needed
Committee members are given important tasks to do
Meetings are productive
8.Effectiveness in planning and implementation: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition develops an annual or overall plan that lists goals and activities
Plans are based upon review and input from coalition members
Action plans and target dates are developed for each task or project
Coalition members are assigned specific responsibilities
Coalition activities and progress in completing tasks are monitored and reported to the membership
Our coalition gets things done rather than just talk about them
9.Relationship with local government and other community leaders: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Representatives from our coalition meet with local officials and community leaders
A coalition representative attends important community meetings
Our coalition understands the power structure and decision-making process in community government
Our coalition participates in community-wide events
Our coalition values relationships with community leaders from the Black, Indigenous and People of color (BIPOC) community and other historically marginalized populations
10.Partnerships with other organizations: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition is knowledgeable about other community organizations and what they do
Our coalition collaborates with other community organizations
Our coalition utilizes information and resources from those organizations
Our coalition is informed about issues affecting the community
Our coalition interacts and shares information with substance use/misuse prevention coalitions in other communities
Our coalition interacts with and shares information with substance use/misuse prevention providers in our community
Our coalition interacts with and shares information with other prevention organizations and/or coalitions in our community
11.Coalition members' sense of ownership and participation: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition builds social time for members into meetings and events
All members are treated equally and with respect
Members are asked about their interests and needs
Member contributions are recognized
Successes are celebrated
Members actively participate in the decision-making process
Members feel free to speak their views without being criticized
12.Ability to collect, analyze, and use data: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition has a data coordinator, with experience in collecting and analyzing data
Our coalition has a data coordinator, with experience in conducting evaluations and preparing evaluation reports
Coalition members participate in reviewing data for planning and evaluation purposes
Our coalition has access to local data on substance misuse and consequences
13.Understanding of and commitment to environmental change strategies: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Coalition members are familiar with concept of population-level change
Our coalition supports environmental change strategies (e.g. policy changes, law-enforcement, and media campaigns) in addition to approaches targeting individuals
Our coalition is committed to working with the media
Our coalition has positive relationships with community partners needed to implement environmental change strategies
14.Cultural Responsiveness: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Our mission statement recognizes the importance of respecting cultural diversity (including racial/ethnic, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and lifestyle)
Our coalition is engaged with diverse cultural groups and organizations
Our membership reflects the cultural makeup of the community
Our coalition reviews its activities and products to ensure they are culturally appropriate for the target special population
Our coalition consults with and engages representatives from the vulnerable communities in its decisions about activities and products
15.Funding and sustainability: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Don't know or doesn't apply
Our coalition has received funding from multiple sources
Our coalition has the strong support of local government and other community organizations
Our coalition has the necessary office space and equipment to function effectively
Our coalition plans ahead for its long term sustainability in addition to its more immediate goals
Our coalition has members with experience in writing successful grant applications
16.Additional items: (with 1 being weak or never, 2-slightly, 3-moderatly, 4-usually and 5 being strong or always)(Required.)
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Our coalition engages young adults to help inform its planning efforts
Our coalition engages parents to help inform its planning efforts
Our coalition has a clear and effective strategy for fundraising
Our coalition effectively promotes its value to the community
Our coalition raises funds from local sources rather than relying solely on federal and state grants
Our coalition has an accurate and dependable system for budgeting expenses and ensuring financial accountability
Our coalition relies on external volunteers to help accomplish our goals
17.Are you the coalition coordinator, data coordinator or director?(Required.)
18.How long have you been a member of the coalition?(Required.)
19.Communities are made up of many different groups of people. What group do you primarily represent on the coalition?(Required.)
20.Is there another group that you represent on the coalition in addition to the group you selected above?(Required.)
21.What sort of activities do you participate in on the coalition? (Check all that apply.)
22.Please rate your satisfaction with your role on the coalition.
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
23.How many coalition meetings do you attend?
24.In your opinion, does the coalition have members with the right skills and connections to work on the coalition's goals?
25.How important is the role of coordinator to your coalition's sustainability?
Not important
Slightly important
Moderately important
Very important
Extremely important
26.Do you identify as a member of the special population that your coalition is focusing on?
27.Please add any additional comments related to the functioning of the coalition.
Thank You!
Current Progress,
0 of 27 answered