A conversation with Jeff Hanley

by Jon Scaccia October 23, 2024

Jeff Hanley, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA), has dedicated his career to advancing substance misuse prevention across Pennsylvania. With a background in nonprofit work at the American Red Cross and over a decade of experience at the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. In 2024, he was recognized as Advocate of the Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).

In this interview, Jeff discusses CPA’s successful initiatives like PA STOP and PA START, shares valuable lessons from Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic response, and offers advice for leaders looking to strengthen prevention efforts in their own communities

Can you share some key strategies that CPA has implemented through PA STOP and PA START that have been particularly successful in Pennsylvania? How might these strategies be adapted or applied in other states facing similar challenges?

The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA) primarily serves prevention organizations, coalitions, and professionals in Pennsylvania’s substance misuse prevention field. By focusing on providing resources, education, and support, CPA enhances the capabilities of these practitioners. Although the direct beneficiaries of CPA’s services are these organizations, the ultimate recipients of their efforts are the youth, parents, caregivers, families, and communities they serve. The key for CPA was to ensure we were supporting these organizations currently working in PA communities by offering resources, empowering their prevention efforts, and strengthening their initiatives which can lead to improved outcomes for the populations they serve.

By empowering prevention organizations and coalitions with comprehensive resources and education, CPA indirectly fosters the well-being and resilience of youth, families, and communities across the state.

Other states can consider implementing similar programs and strategies by collaborating with statewide non-profit organizations capable of effectively managing these initiatives. Non-profits typically face less bureaucratic red tape compared to state or local governments, allowing them to leverage data-driven decision-making to enhance program effectiveness.

The opioid epidemic continues to be a significant public health crisis. What lessons has CPA learned from its efforts with PA STOP that could be valuable for other states or organizations trying to combat opioid misuse and addiction?

Three of our key lessons learned are:

1. The Importance of Stigma Reduction: Tackling stigma is crucial for encouraging individuals to seek help.
2. Community Collaboration: Effective partnerships with local organizations amplify the campaign’s reach and effectiveness. States should prioritize building networks among prevention coalitions/coalitions, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and community leaders.
3. Tailored Messaging: Understanding the target audience’s unique challenges and tailoring messages accordingly is essential. Strategies that resonate culturally and socially with specific groups foster greater engagement and action. And working with a media company and evaluator that participate in planning campaigns from the beginning of the process. 

PA START focuses on building healthy, capable children through preventive measures. How can other states or communities replicate this initiative to strengthen their own prevention efforts for children and families?

Prevention is powerful—it strengthens protective factors and reduces risk factors across individuals, families, schools, and communities. Decades of community-based experience and scientific research confirm that prevention works. Some replication strategies include:

1. Community-Based Programs: Other states can adopt the PA START framework by collaborating with organizations or coalitions that offer evidence-based prevention programs and strategies.
2. Youth Empowerment Initiatives: Organizing events and training sessions for youth to advocate for mental health and substance misuse prevention can be replicated. This promotes youth leadership and direct involvement in community health efforts.
3. Inclusive Outreach: Emphasizing the translation of materials and culturally relevant messaging ensures that all community members have access to information and support, fostering a more inclusive prevention environment.

By empowering prevention organizations and coalitions with comprehensive resources and education, CPA indirectly fosters the well-being and resilience of youth, families, and communities across the state

CPA’s approach to prevention includes addressing the underlying causes of risk factors. Can you discuss how this holistic approach has made a difference in Pennsylvania, and how it might be applied in other regions facing different public health challenges?

Focusing on prevention is key.  To do so, it’s important to:

1. Prioritize Community Engagement: Involve community members in the planning and execution of prevention initiatives. Their insights can help shape relevant and effective programs.
2. Utilize Evidence-Based Practices: Implement strategies grounded in research to ensure effectiveness and credibility. Tailor these strategies to fit local needs and contexts.
3. Foster Partnerships: Build relationships with local organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to create a robust support network for prevention efforts.
4. Focus on Inclusivity: Ensure that all outreach materials are accessible and culturally relevant, bridging gaps for marginalized communities to promote equitable health outcomes.

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