Partners was formed in 1989 as The Alliance for a Drug Free Janesville. In 1992, the organization changed its name to The Alliance of Rock County, became a 501(c)3 organization, and continued to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by promoting healthy lifestyles, and individual and community assets through education, prevention, and community partnerships. Utilizing volunteer staff, several projects were established including Family Fun Fest and Operation Snowball. The Alliance also provided community prevention at local events (example: a booth at the fair), a speakers bureau, book covers promoting core values, prevention articles, community trainings, and the safe ride program.
The Alliance of Rock County became Partners in Prevention in 1997. In 2000, Partners was struggling with continued existence due to low participation. Various groups and coalitions with similar missions were competing to exist and duplicating efforts. Recognizing the benefits, those numerous groups whose missions were most similar to Partners decided to combine efforts and work together through Partners.
Keeping the name of Partners in Prevention Rock County had important benefits in that even the name signified the mission. This led to the current structure of Partners in which the Board of Directors functions as the steering committee for the organization. Partners continues to promote healthy lifestyles and develop individual and community assets through its projects utilizing education, prevention, and community partnerships.
As a Community of Promise through America’s Promise and a member of the Wisconsin Alliance for Youth, Partners activities fulfill at least one of the Five Promises:
- Caring Adults
- Safe Places
- A Healthy Start
- Marketable Skills
- Opportunities to Serve
Partners in Prevention became a Drug-Free Communities Support (DFCS) grantee in 2002. This five-year federal substance abuse prevention program is focused on reducing youth alcohol and marijuana use; eventually affecting adult use. In 2007, Partners was awarded a second 5-year DFCS grant utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) process. The SPF is a 5 step evidence-based process for community planning and decision-making developed by SAMHSA.
The 5 step process requires communities and coalitions to systematically:
- Assess their prevention needs based on local health data,
- Mobilize and build their prevention Capacity,
- Develop a comprehensive strategic action Plan,
- Implement multiple community prevention programs, and
- Monitor and Evaluate their efforts for outcomes.The SPF changed our approach to prevention. After thoroughly assessing the community of Rock County, Partners has concentrated its efforts on building the capacity of each community and/or school district to identify and respond to its own unique situations around youth alcohol consumption and marijuana use