Table of Contents >
   Part F. Analyzing Community Problems and Designing and Ad... >
      Chapter 19. Choosing and Adapting Community Interventions >
         Section 3. Identifying Strategies and Tactics for Reducing R... >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Identifying Strategies and Tactics for Reducing Risks

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Chris Hampton Edited by Bill Berkowitz, Jerry Schultz, Phil Rabinowitz

Checklist

Here, you'll find checklists that summarize the major points contained in the text.

You understand that:

____ Risk reduction involves finding out what in your community leads to the problem you're trying to prevent and then working to cut down on those factors.

____ Protective factors are those things that keep whatever it is you're trying to prevent from occurring.

____ A strategy is a broad step in a plan to accomplish a specific goal.

____ A tactic is a specific step you take to complete a strategy.

You understand the following reasons for including members of the community in the process of selecting risk reduction strategies:

____ It can help change community norms and values, which are often tied to risk and protective factors.

____ It creates a wider base of support for changing behavior.

____ It can give you a better sense of what resources are available to you in the community.

____ It can help galvanize public support for your initiative.

____ It is more likely to lead to long-term changes.

You have considered including people from the following groups in the process of selecting risk reduction strategies:

____ Local law enforcement

____ Religious leaders

____ Local government officials

____ School administrators, teachers, PTA members, school board members

____ Health and human services agencies

____ Local media representatives

____ Youth and parents

____ Local businesspeople

____ Members of the target population you serve

You understand the following reasons for including members of the target population in the process of selecting risk reduction strategies:

____ Giving the target population a say helps establish trust

____ Affected communities are often stronger and more resourceful than we give them credit for

____ It can give your group a better understanding of what the community needs

____ It can also increase community awareness of who you are and what you do

Selecting risk reduction strategies:

____ Research to find out what other groups with missions similar to your own have done

____ Attend conferences and workshops

____ Get involved in regional and national coalitions

____ Sign on to an email list for people who do the same type of work you do

____ When you examine a possible strategy that has been used in another community, think about how it would work with your own community

____ Conduct your own research and see what original strategies you can come up with on your own

You understand the following characteristics of an effective risk reduction strategy:

____ The strategy works to increase protective factors

____ The goals, methods to be used for data collection, evaluation, and feedback, and specific roles and duties of all staff, volunteers, and any other personnel are clearly defined

____ The strategy approaches risk reduction in a manner appropriate to your target population

____ The strategy employs early intervention

____ The strategy makes the best possible use of available resources

____ If addressing multiple risk factors, it's probably best to use multiple strategies

You've asked the following questions when evaluating prevention strategies you're considering:

____ Does the strategy address known risk factors?

____ How will the strategy reduce risk and/or increase protective factors?

____ Is the strategy likely to reach your target population?

____ Is the strategy set up in a way in which it can be evaluated?

You're familiar with risk reduction strategies related to changing individual behavior:

____ incentives or disincentives

____ increasing (or reducing) time and effort for target behaviors

____ providing support

____ arranging mentors

____ enhancing resources

____ changing environmental design to remove barriers or enhance accessibility

____ changing policy (creating, modifying, or terminating)

____ providing information

____ modeling

____ skills training

____ providing feedback on progress

You're familiar with risk reduction strategies related to organizational and community development include:

____ public awareness and media campaigns

____ community assessment and monitoring

____ coalition building

____ modifying access to products and services

____ integrating and coordinating local agencies and resources

____ developing resources to enhance family and peer support

____ enforcement of existing policies and laws

____ advocacy and nonviolent protest

____ changing policies and laws

You understand some of the common tactics used in risk reduction:

____ Information campaigns

____ Street outreach

____ Community outreach

____ Peer education

____ Risk reduction counseling

____ Direct action