A. Identify the Workforce and their Learning Needs 

1. Define, identify and track the prevention/intervention workforce at the state, regional and local levels. 
2. Foster the development of a Colorado prevention network.
3. Determine both core and expanded work force competencies 
4. Link competencies to minimum standards and program performance. 
5. Assess capacity of individuals, programs and communities to carry out effective practices. 

B. Identify and Generate Resources to Develop Workforce Capacity

1. Identify existing resources (courses, workshops, TA, site visits, mentors, academic partners, research organizations, experts) offered across agencies/programs and that meet established quality standards. 
2. Establish and strengthen use of intra and interagency resources.
3. Develop essential resources in areas where no quality resources exist (e.g. geographic or content areas). 
4. Assure and advocate for sufficient resources to develop workforce capacity. 

C. Provide Learning Opportunities to Increase State, Regional and Local Capacity

1. Create a sustainable system to link resources and learning opportunities with needs.
2. Promote and/or provide high-quality learning opportunities in accessible settings and formats, reinforced through follow-up support and assistance in the application of research to practice
3. Promote and support ongoing cross-program natural learning networks in regions/communities. 

D. Practice Continuous Quality Improvement

1. Establish intermediate and long-term outcomes and assess progress periodically.
2. Conduct periodic environmental scans to ensure workforce responsiveness to future needs. 

Guiding Principles: 

1. Commitment to practical, sustainable applications: real-time solutions for real time issues
2. Promotion of planning, policies, programs, and practices that are evidence-based and outcome-oriented
3. Partnership among state agencies, regions, local communities, higher education and program providers
4. Resource sharing based on the understanding that all efforts are interrelated and share common goals
5. Empowerment of regions and local communities: receptivity to new ideas and local initiatives
6. Respect for cultural differences and appropriate tailoring of work force development strategies
7. Recognition and appreciation for the valuable contribution made by a diverse work force.
8. Learning that is easy to access, diverse, self-directed, shared and reinforced over time
9. Affirmation of the importance of both skills and relationships in effective prevention/intervention efforts

The Work Force Development Task Force is a subcommittee of the Prevention Leadership Council (PLC). The PLC is a group of individuals from across state agencies, foundations and statewide organizations that are committed to coordinating and streamlining state processes and enhancing the quality and accessibility of prevention and intervention services for children and youth in Colorado.

*Definitions adopted by the State Board of Health in May 2001. Prevention services means proactive, inter-disciplinary efforts to empower individuals to choose and maintain healthy life behaviors and lifestyles, thus fostering an environment that encourages law-abiding and non-troubled behavior. Intervention services means proactive efforts to intervene at early signs of problems to stop disease, reduce risks and to change problem behaviors. 

The following is a list of "Core Competencies" developed by the Prevention Leadership Council*. We believe that knowledge and skills in the areas listed below are important to developing and sustaining effective community-based prevention and intervention programs.

(1) Prevention Background/Frameworks 

• historical evolution of prevention; 
• major federal/state agencies involved; 
• definitions/language; current frameworks; 
• principles of effective prevention; 
• prevention and behavior change theories - individual and systems change 

(2) Needs Assessment 

• * accessing state and local health/social data, 
• gathering stakeholder/ community input, 
• conducting resource/gaps analysis, 
• describing the target population, 
• writing a complete statement of need, 
• data collection methods - surveys, key informants, focus groups

(3) Program Planning Process 

• planning models/frameworks, 
• analysis of contributing factors, priority-setting process, 
• writing goals and objectives, 
• developing implementation plan and budget 

(4) Strategies/Interventions 

• overview of strategies and relative merits of each; 
• choosing strategies appropriate for intended outcome; 
• accessing "best practice" information; 
• selecting/developing culturally competent interventions related to age, gender, race, geography

(5) Media and Mass Communications 

• working with the media; 
• developing effective written materials; 
• effective presentations/public speaking; 
• marketing your program

(6) Working with Individual/Families/Groups: 

• effective recruitment/outreach; 
• interviewing/listening skills; 
• learning styles; 
• developmental stages; 
• confidentiality/ethics; 
• involving families as partners; 
• working with high risk families; 
• working with different cultural groups

(7) Engaging the Community 

• running effective meetings
• facilitating community groups; 
• principles/levels of collaboration; 
• building/maintaining coalitions; 
• working with community members/ leadership; 
• conflict resolution/negotiation; 
• policy/legal approaches in communities; 
• systems change processes

(8) Organizational Capacity/Issues 

• staff recruitment/hiring/motivation/evaluation; 
• recruiting/supporting diversity of staff; 
• developing leadership; 
• volunteer development; 
• working with board(s)/board development; 
• basic accounting practices; 
• dealing with change in organizations; 

(9) Evaluation 

• basic types/levels and elements of evaluation;
• writing an evaluation plan; 
• data collection methods; 
• selecting/designing instruments; 
• data analysis and interpreting
• writing and evaluation report and presenting findings

(10) Funding/Resource Development 

• information on major funding sources; 
• tips/techniques for grant writing; 
• fundraising; 
• developing plans for sustainability