Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol
Community Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) is an established theory that employs neighborhoods to initiate strategies to reduce the access of alcohol by minors. CMCA increases community involvement and encourages citizens to become a larger stakeholder in preventing underage drinking. It encourages and motivates community members to examine existing policies and practices to determine avenues for change. The process empowers community institutions like law enforcement, civic groups, church, schools, and media to seek changes that will benefit the community. The benefit for the community is improved health and well-being of youth by reducing the flow of alcohol to underage youth.
First step
First step in the process is to assess the community. In 2008-2009, the goal of the Bradford County Communities That Care is to do 250 one-on-one interviews with key leaders to assess the "norms" of underage drinking in Bradford County. Those being interviewed will make up the following categories, youth, parents, healthcare workers, government officials, and reespresentatives from business community, community-based organziations, media, human services, schools, faith community and community members.
Second step
Next the coalition will analyze the community's responses to help address some environmental strategies that will reduce the access of alcohol to those under the age of 21, increase awareness of parents about the harms of alcohol on adolescents and increase enforcement of policies and laws.