Before your school selects a program, be sure to:

• Involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process (e.g., school staff, parents, students, community members) and collaborate with researchers to plan and evaluate programs.

• Assess candidate programs for their fit to the existing needs, available resources, and organizational capacity of your school community.

• Examine the match between program goals and the schools' or districts' academic and discipline policies, practices, and philosophy.

• Consult with program developers to identify the critical elements of a program, as well as where there is flexibility to adapt the program to fit local needs and resources.

• Allocate sufficient resources to implement the program with fidelity or with modification.

• Identify a project coordinator whose primary responsibility is to ensure the successful implementation and evaluation of the program.

• Ensure that implementers receive adequate training so that they are knowledgeable and confident in their ability to implement the program effectively.

• Establish a supportive, problem-solving procedure that allows for the discussion and resolution of difficulties that arise during program implementation.

• Strive to create a school atmosphere that fosters health promotion programming by incorporating related topics into staff development opportunities.

Throughout implementation, be sure to:

• Assess implementers' skills and satisfaction on an ongoing basis.

• Provide emotional and practical support to the program implementers.

• Maintain a positive school atmosphere that endorses open communication, the exchange of ideas, and professional growth.

• Monitor and document program implementation (see Day 4).

• Keep family members informed about and involved in program implementation (see archived event Promoting Prevention Through School-Community Partnerships).

Adapted from: Greenberg, M.T., Domitrovich, C.E., Graczyk, P., & Zins, J. (2001, January). A Conceptual Model of Implementation for School-Based Preventive Interventions: Implications for Research, Practice, and Policy. Report to the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services.