Complete the Online Coalition Self-Assessment Tool.  At the end of this assessment you can print a report with your coalition "score", which will indicate your relative level of resources.  This should help you decide if you need more capacity or planning skills or if you are ready to go to the resources page and implement interventions.  A description of the categories and values for the Coalition Self-Assessment Tool and the resulting score (PDF,  97 KB) is also available.  A pdf version of the Coalition Self-Assessment Tool (PDF,  72 KB) can also be downloaded to make it easier to fill in the tool as a group, before entering your answers online.

The tool is specifically designed for coalitions, so if you are an organization other than a coalition, answer the questions below and then go to the resources page for specific strategies for your organization.

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your coalition or organization to implement an obesity prevention strategy?

• Do you have sufficient resources?

• How can you pick something that is attainable with your current resources?

Asset Mapping

Asset Mapping is the process of cataloging the resources of a community.  Asset mapping can serve a number of purposes:

1. Identify possible resources
2. Provide a foundation for strategic planning and implementation
3. Deepen understanding of key regional systems and linkages
4. Become a catalyst for new partnerships
5. Be an organizational and motivational tool for implementation

Asset Mapping Summary  (PDF,  76 KB)  - A more detailed description of asset mapping as well as tools to identify partners and catalog their resources.

General Resources

Community Tool Box - Practical information for community building that both professionals and ordinary citizens can use in everyday practice -- for example, leadership skills, program evaluation, and writing a grant application.

Turning Point - Resources for public health agencies and their partners that can help strengthen initiatives by linking to other sectors.

Fundamentals of Evaluating Partnerships: Evaluation Guide - The evaluation guides are a series of evaluation technical assistance tools developed by the CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP). The guides clarify approaches to and methods of evaluation, provide examples specific to the scope and purpose of  programs, and recommend resources for additional reading.

Coalition Infrastructure Resources

(from the Community Tool Box)

• Encouraging involvement in community work

• Developing an organizational structure for the initiative

• Hiring and training key staff

• Recruiting and training volunteers

• Getting grants and financial resources

• Managing finances 

Coalition Function Resources

(from the Community Tool Box)

• Core principles, assumptions, and values

• Orienting ideas in leadership 

• Core functions in leadership 

• Becoming an effective manager 

• Group facilitation and problem solving 

Collaborative leadership self assessment and learning modules (from Turning Point)

Training Resources

If your coalition assessment indicated that you currently have limited resources, a first step would be to receive additional training to develop additional skills and resources.   The resources below are a good starting point:  

WI Healthy Leadership Training: UW-Madsion and Medical College of Wisconsin

• Community Teams Program - The program involves a twelve-month commitment for teams of individuals who are leading community health initiatives to facilitate the development of collaborative leadership and public health skills.  For more application information, see the flyer.

• The Health Policy Program is a one-day workshop designed to increase individual and community capacity to understand and change policies that impact community health.