CADCA’s Coalition Competencies
What does it take to build and sustain an effective coalition? The answer lies in CADCA’s Coalition Competencies, a research-backed framework designed to strengthen your work. Developed in partnership with the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis, these competencies are the result of more than three years of research and input from coalition leaders. They outline the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for effective coalition work.
Coalition Competencies are organized into three domains:
- Operations: Building and sustaining coalition infrastructure.
- Community: Effectively engaging and partnering with community members.
- Prevention: Implementing specialized strategies for lasting impact.
There are 18 essential, research-backed areas that fit into each of these domains and are designed to advance the work of coalition leaders, funders, and other partners. Learn more about the competencies through the following resources.
Call for Examples: Competencies in Focus Webinar Series
Do you have a real-world coalition success story to share? CADCA is seeking coalition examples for its Competencies in Focus webinar series. Selected coalitions will deliver a 15-minute presentation highlighting one of the following competencies: Youth Engagement, Implementation, or Change Management. Submissions close on February 6, 2026.
Past Webinar Recordings
Competencies in Focus: Assessment
How did a local coalition in Northern Kentucky use data and assessment to successfully pass the region’s first comprehensive smokefree policy?
Competencies in Focus: Evaluation
This webinar covers the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities that drive effective evaluation.
Competencies in Focus: Internal Communication
How can you have effective internal communication that drives coalition impact and sustainability?
View the full playlist of webinar recordings on CADCA’s YouTube channel.
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