National Coalition Academy Application Overview

The National Coalition Academy teaches leaders “what they need to know” (the core competencies) and “what their team needs to do” (the essential processes) to establish or maintain a highly effective anti- drug coalition. The National Coalition Academy is offered through support from CADCA’s National Coalition Institute and the National Guard Bureau and is designed specifically for coalition staff and volunteer leadership. Board members, committee chairs, executive directors and community mobilizers will find this course directly relevant to their day-to-day responsibilities and challenges.

TRAINING PROGRAM

The National Coalition Academy is a year-long intensive training that includes classroom, distance learning and Web-based instruction.

Classroom Training: Two leaders from each participating community will attend classes hosted at a regional National Guard site. These classes teach the core competencies.

Distance Learning: Distance learning technology is used to help the two leaders “take home” and apply what they have learned. The Institute uses an interactive, web-based distance learning system to conduct short sessions between in-person training events. These community training and application sessions are co- taught by the Academy’s national instruction team and local leaders.

Web-Based Support: Throughout the year the National Coalition Academy uses the Web as a way to communicate with trainees and their communities. More importantly, the Web is used to bring participating communities together to share ideas, problem solve and celebrate successes. Participants will post the products from the distance learning sessions on the Academy workstation. Complete details for using the workstation will be provided during orientation.

The National Coalition Academy’s training curriculum is organized within SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework as follows:

• Assessment: Creating and maintaining partnerships; assessing community needs and resources; analyzing problems and goals; developing a framework or model of change.
• Capacity: Increasing participation and membership; building leadership; enhancing cultural competence; improving organization management and development.
• Planning: Developing strategic and action plans.
• Implementation: Developing interventions; advocating for change; influencing policy development; writing grant applications for funding.
• Evaluation: Evaluating initiatives; sustaining projects and initiatives.

By the end of the year-long training, coalitions will have developed five essential products that enable success. These include a community assessment, logic model, strategic & action plan, evaluation plan and a sustainability plan.

COST

There are no tuition costs, no registration fees, no lodging costs and no instructional costs for materials for academy participants attending the National Guard facilities in Pennsylvania, Mississippi or Iowa. Participating communities are required to pay for all other expenses, including travel.

In 2011, a “low cost” Academy will be offered in Tacoma, WA. Enrollees will be responsible for paying their own lodging, meals, travel and transportation costs with all other expenses absorbed by the National Coalition Institute and its National Guard partner.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The National Coalition Academy seeks applications from new coalitions or those that have experienced challenges or setback, and who are willing to make a commitment to this intensive year-long process, working together with their partners and community members.

Priority will be given to both economically-disadvantaged communities and current Drug Free Community grantees, in this order: highest priority to coalitions that are both DFC and economically-disadvantaged, second highest priority to DFC grantees and third highest priority to economically-disadvantaged communities. While priority will be given to these groups, every effort will be made to place coalitions that apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to complete the following items to be considered for placement in the National Coalition Academy:

(1) Application Form: This form serves as the basis for your application. It is important that you provide accurate contact information for both team members.

(2) Letter of Commitment: The letter of commitment serves as an agreement between the lead team member and the Academy. Lead team members make a written commitment to participate in all facets of the Academy as outlined in these documents.

(3) CADCA’s Annual Survey of Coalitions (upon notification): The survey will be available online in mid October. Coalitions attending Pennsylvania Cohort 14 will be sent a paper version of the survey which they will need to complete prior to attending Week 1 of their Academy. By completing CADCA’s Annual Survey of Coalitions each applicant coalition provides the Institute with complete and uniform information that improves our ability to more effectively serve coalitions. Please complete the survey online upon notification at http://cadca.org/annualsurvey and then include your user name and password on the Academy application form. If you experience any challenges completing the online survey, please contact Andrea de la Flor at 703-706-0560, ext. 245, or survey@cadca.org.

Please submit your completed electronic application to nroy@cadca.org or fax it to 703-706-0565.

Any questions about the Academy and this application may be directed to training@cadca.org or Nancy N. Roy at 1-800-542-2322 ext. 225.

Application Form

This form serves as the basis for your application. It is important that you provide accurate contact information for both team members.