Nearly Two Decades of Sustaining a Coalition to Prevent Youth Substance Use: Reflections From the Genesee County Prevention Coalition, Michigan.
The Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) was established in 2007 and supports youth and families in Genesee County, the fifth most populous county located in southeast Michigan. GCPC has received funding from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program since 2018, charged with mobilizing its community to prevent youth substance use. Over nearly 2 decades, GCPC has established infrastructure and implemented best practices to sustain its coalition efforts. Using local data to drive action, focusing on upstream prevention strategies, and diversifying the funding received and investing it strategically in the organization, GCPC has adapted to changes in society and community conditions to meet the needs of youth in the community. The purpose of this report was to discuss GCPC's capacity building approach to coalition development and implementing community-based strategies to affect substance use and mental health concerns among youth in Genesee County, Michigan.