Collective Impact continues to work with Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission (WDAC) and Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program on their problem gambling initiatives. With the increased availability of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania comes increased concern regarding the individual and social costs of problem gambling. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is addressing this concern by increasing problem gambling prevention, education and outreach efforts throughout the state. Problem gambling prevention activities are intended to increase awareness of problem gambling within the general public; inform teachers, policy makers, and other professionals about the impact of problem gambling on the family unit, schools and communities; and educate at-risk populations such as college students, youth, and older adults about risk and protective factors in an effort to prevent problem gambling.
Collective Impact worked with the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and United Way of Southern West Virginia to develop and deliver training workshop services. The training workshop Building Bridges for Community Impact was provided in four regions through the state for a variety of nonprofit organizations and community groups. The workshop engaged participants in interactive learning experiences to increase understanding, capacity, and action around regional/local collaboration. Participants learned about the importance of collaboration in general and specifically leveraging new partnerships to reach common desired outcomes and gain support from funders. The session addressed the "nuts and bolts" of collaboration and community-level work, the importance of working together in a rapidly changing environment, the "collective impact" approach, and engaging in collaborative team work for greater impact and results.
"Collective Impact collaborated with us in designing and leading a statewide training for the network of Family Resource Centers in West Virginia. Throughout the twists and turns of design and fulfillment of our 2-day training, we were fortunate to work with a team of consultants who were professional, client-focused, flexible, effective, interactive, strength-based, positive, and connected. All provided in an atmosphere of fun and with a mindfulness of varied learning styles. We left our meeting with a renewed energy of cohesiveness, coupled with action steps and concrete ideas to move forward. The success of our training would not have been possible without the insight and effectiveness of Collective Impact." ~ Genny Ferri, Community Partnership Coordinator, Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia - a project of TEAM For West Virginia Children, Inc., Huntington, WV
