Working with Policy-Makers to Build Capacity for Evidence-Based Programs: The Development of a Provincial Strategy

Successful dissemination of prevention programming requires the support of individuals within key systems, including stakeholders in the policy arena. Without the support of these individuals, systems change is unlikely to occur, and the dissemination and sustainability of programming is difficult to achieve. However, engaging with policy-makers and systems leaders to use evidence-informed approaches to decision making is a newer area for individuals working in prevention science, and guidance on how to bring these individuals to the table is needed. In this presentation, the development of a five-year, comprehensive strategy that advances a province-wide healthy relationships dissemination and implementation plan will be discussed. This strategy was formulated in response to prior work with provincial ministries, and directly responded to the needs and interest of policy-makers and key stakeholders within relevant systems.

The strategy focuses on 7 key areas: 1) cultivating healthy relationship skills in youth via evidence-based programming in schools and community based programs; 2) developing evidence-based healthy relationship resources for parents; 3) supporting the development of a strategic and coordinated approach to violence prevention programming for children and youth from K-12; 4) providing ongoing training to a cohort of key leaders from across Alberta so that they have the knowledge and skills to lead their communities in promoting and building healthy youth relationship skills; 5) providing province-wide support and expertise to schools and communities via a Healthy Youth Coordinator; 6) supporting post-secondary institutions with course curricula to equip educators to cultivate safe schools; and, 7) advocating for an evidence-based approach to healthy relationship programming in school jurisdictions throughout Alberta. In this presentation, we will describe the process of building the necessary relationships with policy-makers and systems leaders to advance the strategy; how the strategy was developed to meet the needs of key stakeholder groups, including policy-makers; how funding is continually obtained to advance the strategy; and how each step of the strategy has been implemented throughout the past three years. We will particularly focus on activities within Strategy Component 1 (evidence-based programs for youth in schools and communities); Component 2 (developing healthy relationships resources for parents); and Component 6 (developing and evaluating a course for educators on healthy relationships and healthy relationships programming). We conclude with recommendations around how to engage policy-makers and larger systems in prevention work.