Publication

Sustaining adoption of science-based prevention through Communities That Care.

Publication Year: 2016

Authors: Gloppen, Kari M., Brown, Eric C., Wagenaar, Bradley H., Hawkins, J. David, Rhew, Isaac C., Oesterle, Sabrina

Publication Title: Journal of Community Psychology

Volume: 44

Issue Number: 1

Page(s): 78-89

Link to Publication: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.21743

Abstract: Communities That Care (CTC) has been shown to increase the use of science-based prevention, resulting in community-wide improvements in youth development. Using data from a community-randomized trial of CTC in 24 communities, this study examined the extent to which community leaders endorsed the use of science-based prevention in CTC communities compared to control communities 3 years after study support for implementation ended, and whether participation in CTC training affected leader endorsement of science-based prevention. This study found that CTC community leaders reported significantly higher stages of adoption of science-based prevention than did leaders in control communities 3 years after study funding ended. However, use of science-based prevention in CTC communities declined. At follow-up, leaders who participated in CTC training reported significantly higher use of science-based prevention than did leaders in CTC communities who did not receive training. Providing continued CTC training could support sustained community adoption of science-based prevention.