Kelly A. Dever Ph.d.

Partners in Prevention of Substance Abuse Theory of Change: a Formative Evaluation in Implementing Community Anti-drug Coalition of America's Strategic Planning Framework Kelly A. Dever Ph.d.

This qualitative study examined Alachua County's community-based coalition, Partners in Prevention of Substance Abuse (PIPSA). Focus groups were conducted with active coalition members. The purpose was to understand PIPSA's theory of change regarding its newly declared focus on underage drinking and to offer a formative evaluation of the program. This study provided suggestions as to the necessary steps PIPSA should take to structure the program to be fully evaluated according to program process and program impact in the future. Results indicated that coalition members place a strong emphasis on education as a strategy to decrease underage drinking in Alachua County, with plans of targeting youth at an even earlier age than they currently do. Priority should be given to finalizing feasible activities the PIPSA coalition is able to accomplish and to develop instruments that measure the process and impact of these very activities, to evidence program strengths and weaknesses.