Strategic Planning for Prevention Professionals on Campus

Many years of prevention research and practice support the use of a systematic planning and evaluation process when organizing complex, multifaceted interventions. This publication describes such a process for planning campus-based programs and policies that address alcohol and other drug abuse and violence. It provides an overview of the elements and purposes of sound planning, consistent with the U.S. Department of Education’s principles of effectiveness for prevention programs. Effective planning involves conducting a problem analysis; establishing long-term goals; consulting research, program experience, and theory to identify promising strategies that address the identified problems; creating a strategic plan; and evaluating and using the results for improvement.