Ensure Adequacy of Resources

Prevention efforts, like many endeavors, are dynamic, continually evolving processes. Things change. People come and go. Priorities change. Resources get shifted among programs. Even program success can have adverse effects on resources. For example, one successful prevention effort may require substantial office space and edge out another prevention effort. As a result, it is useful to ensure adequacy of resources prior to implementation.

Review staffing roles and responsibilities. Staff and volunteers will come and go over time. As a result, the specific skills and areas of expertise within a program will shift and change over time. Do you still have the appropriate set of skills and expertise required to carry out upcoming tasks? Do you need to recruit people to fill any gaps?

Review funding resources. Were sufficient funds identified and obtained? Were fundraising, business development, or grantwriting efforts conducted? Were they successful? Is funding limited to startup activities? Have you initiated fundraising for maintenance of the prevention program?

Facilities and equipment. Do you have sufficient facilities and equipment for the prevention effort? Do you have sufficient space, furniture, and equipment?

To be effective and meaningful, prevention efforts should be sustained, with the possible exception of prevention efforts designed to accomplish a single goal, such as passage of a law. Practitioners should recognize that when they begin a prevention effort, they have the obligation to the community to complete the effort. Not doing so does a grave disservice to the target population and the general population, and diminishes the credibility of programs and community coalitions.