Activities and Accomplishments

To meet statutory obligations outlined in the legislation, the Interagency Prevention Systems Project at CDPHE works with prevention and intervention programs/staff from the Departments of Education, Human Services, Public Health and Environment, Public Safety, and Transportation, and is focused on the following:

A web accessible Prevention Resource Database which provides information to local communities on over 35+ state/federal programs and funding sources and lists over 600 local prevention and intervention programs in communities across the state.

The coordination and streamlining of data collection and needs assessment in local communities. Five state agencies worked collaboratively to develop a Combined Adolescent Health Survey that gathers crucial health risk information in a more effective, streamlined process.

A "Best Practices" website which contains information on over 200 effective, evidence-based prevention programs. The website links state and local prevention service providers to state-of-the-art research, practices and resources in a range of topic areas such as: violence prevention, positive parenting, injury prevention, childhood obesity, access to health care etc.

Development of joint Uniform, Minimum Standards for prevention and intervention programs for children and youth. The standards will help assure accountability and promote a high level of quality among state and federally funded programs.

A four-year review of all state and federally-funded prevention and intervention programs for children and youth. The purpose of the review is to determine whether programs are meeting their intended goals and outcomes and to identify program strengths and areas for improvement.

Plans are underway to provide Prevention training and workforce development and support to enhance the skills of local prevention service providers in various regions of the state. 

The Prevention Leadership Council — comprised of representatives from the Departments of Education, Human Services, Public Health and Environment, Public Safety and Transportation — has played a key role in the the activities and accomplishments outlined above. This interagency group meets regularly to coordinate and streamline state processes, to promote resource sharing/joint projects across state agencies, and to promote high quality prevention and intervention programs for children youth and families throughout Colorado.

On a biannual basis, Interagency Prevention Systems Project staff, with input from local communities, reviews and revises the State Plan for Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Youth.