Leading Through Change: How Coalitions Can Stay Grounded and Move Forward
Change is something every coalition and prevention organization experiences—whether it’s staffing transitions, funding shifts, community challenges, changing priorities, or evolving public health trends. While change can feel overwhelming, it can also create opportunities for growth, stronger partnerships, and renewed focus.
Coalitions are uniquely positioned to help communities adapt during times of uncertainty because prevention work is built on collaboration, trust, and shared purpose. Strong coalitions continue moving forward by staying connected to their mission while remaining flexible in how they respond to emerging needs.
A few ways coalitions can lead effectively through change include:
- keeping communication open and transparent with members and partners
- revisiting goals and priorities regularly
- focusing on relationship-building and community engagement
- using local data to guide decisions
- supporting member wellness and preventing burnout
- celebrating progress, even small wins
Change does not always require a coalition to start over. Often, it is an opportunity to strengthen infrastructure, improve processes, and refocus efforts on what matters most to the community.
As prevention professionals continue navigating changing environments across Michigan, collaboration and adaptability remain essential tools for building healthy, resilient communities.
Resource Highlight: CADCA recently shared additional strategies on coalition leadership and navigating change. Their article reinforces the importance of flexibility, sustainability, and strong community partnerships in prevention work.
Source: CADCA
Behavioral Health Expansion Brings Opportunities—and Questions—for Prevention
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the addition of 10 states to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, a model designed to expand access to mental health, substance use treatment, recovery supports, and crisis services.
Since launching in 2017, the CCBHC model has grown to more than 500 clinics nationwide, providing communities with increased access to coordinated behavioral health care and sustainable Medicaid funding. Supporters point to improved access to treatment, 24/7 crisis services, care coordination, and recovery supports as major benefits of the model.
At the same time, prevention professionals may note that much of the funding is directed toward treatment and crisis response rather than primary prevention efforts. As behavioral health systems continue to expand, it remains important to ensure that prevention strategies, youth-focused initiatives, and community-based prevention programs remain part of the conversation.
For preventionists, this announcement serves as a reminder that prevention, treatment, recovery, and crisis services are all part of a comprehensive behavioral health system. Looking ahead, opportunities may exist to strengthen partnerships between prevention providers and CCBHCs to better address community needs across the continuum of care.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
