White Plains Cares Coalition Strategic Plan 2026-2031

Building a Healthy, Safe, and Connected Community for Every Young Person

Our Strategic Framework

The White Plains Cares Coalition (WPCC) efforts are guided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) in continuously:

Assessing community needs through data and lived experiences
Building community capacity and partnerships
Planning evidence-informed prevention strategies
Implementing culturally responsive initiatives
Evaluating outcomes and adapting strategies for continuous improvement

Our strategic plan is guided by community data, youth voice, family engagement, and the Coalition’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and prevention across the lifespan.

1. Providing Information

Knowledge empowers prevention. The Coalition provides accessible, culturally responsive, and evidence-based information regarding:

Alcohol, cannabis, vaping, tobacco, and other drug prevention
Youth resilience and protective factors
Prescription medication safety
Mental health awareness
Emerging substance use trends
Healthy decision-making

Education is delivered through:

Community forums
Parent education workshops
School presentations
Youth-led campaigns
Social media and digital communications
Public awareness campaigns
Multilingual outreach materials

Increase community awareness by ensuring prevention information is timely, accurate, inclusive, and accessible to all White Plains residents.

2. Enhancing Skills

Building Resilience and Leadership

Strong skills create strong communities.

The Coalition will strengthen the capacity of youth, families, professionals, and community members through training and education focused on:

Youth leadership
Communication skills
Conflict resolution
Positive parenting
Trauma-informed practices
Cultural responsiveness
Mental health literacy
Prevention best practices

The Coalition will continue expanding leadership opportunities for youth, empowering them to become advocates and partners in prevention.

Increase protective factors by building the skills, confidence, and leadership capacity of youth, families, and community partners.

3. Providing Support

Connecting Youth and Families to Resources

Healthy communities are built through connection.

The Coalition will continue strengthening partnerships with:

White Plains Youth Bureau
White Plains Public Safety
White Plains City School District
Healthcare providers
Community and Faith-based organizations
Behavioral health providers

The Coalition will also expand opportunities that foster belonging, connection, and positive adult relationships.

Ensure youth and families have equitable access to supportive relationships, services, and positive developmental opportunities.

4. Reducing Access & Enhancing Protective Environments

Creating Safe and Healthy Communities

The Coalition continues to collaborate with law enforcement, schools, retailers, healthcare providers, & community organizations to reduce youth access to alcohol, vaping products, cannabis, prescription medications, and other substances. Key strategies include:

Retail compliance checks
Responsible beverage service training
Prescription Drug Take Back events
Safe medication disposal education
Community assessments
Youth environmental scans
Safe after-school opportunities
Prevention-focused community partnerships

The Coalition will also advocate for expanded youth programming during out-of-school hours to provide healthy alternatives that reduce risk.

Reduce opportunities for youth substance use while increasing access to safe, healthy, and engaging environments.

5. Changing Consequences

Reinforcing Positive Choices

The Coalition believes prevention succeeds when positive behaviors are recognized and supported.

The Coalition will continue supporting restorative and developmentally appropriate approaches including:

White Plains Youth Court
Positive youth recognition programs
Community service opportunities
Restorative practices
Youth leadership recognition
Family engagement initiatives

The Coalition will celebrate youth accomplishments and encourage healthy decision-making through positive reinforcement.

Promote accountability, growth, and positive youth development through restorative and recognition-based approaches.

6. Changing Physical Design

Creating Spaces That Support Healthy Choices

The environments where young people live, learn, and gather influence healthy behaviors.

The Coalition will collaborate with community partners to promote:

Safe parks
Smoke-free recreational spaces
Well-maintained public areas
Youth-friendly gathering spaces
Improved lighting and safety
Community recreation opportunities
Accessible prevention messaging in public spaces

The Coalition will advocate for environments that encourage healthy lifestyles and strengthen community connectedness.

Increase access to welcoming, safe, and substance-free environments that promote positive youth development.

7. Modifying Policies and Systems

Strengthening Community Prevention Infrastructure

Sustainable prevention requires supportive policies and systems. The Coalition will monitor, support, and advocate for policies that:

Reduce youth substance use
Promote mental wellness
Improve prevention services
Increase health equity
Strengthen school-community partnerships
Improve access to behavioral health resources

The Coalition will work with local, county, state, and federal partners to support evidence-based policies that improve outcomes for youth and families.

Advance policies and systems that promote prevention, equity, and long-term community well-being.

Measuring Success

The Coalition is committed to continuous improvement through ongoing evaluation.

Key data sources include:

Prevention Needs Assessment (PNA) Survey
Youth Risk Behavior data (when available)
White Plains Public Safety data
School climate and attendance data
Community surveys & Focus groups
Coalition member feedback
Program participation and outcome measures
Community health indicators

Annual work plans are developed using current data, emerging trends, and community input to ensure prevention efforts remain responsive and effective.

Guiding Principles

Our work is grounded in the following values:

Youth Voice

Equity and Inclusion

Collaboration

Cultural Responsiveness

Prevention Science

Positive Youth Development

Trauma-Informed Practice

Data-Informed Decision Making

Community Partnership

Continuous Learning

Looking Ahead

The White Plains Cares Coalition remains committed to building a community where prevention is everyone’s responsibility and every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. By investing in strong partnerships, empowering youth and families, and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, we will continue fostering a healthier, safer, and more connected White Plains for generations to come.

Our forward-looking strategic vision remains aligned with SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) Seven Strategies for Community Change, while reflecting today’s prevention priorities, including youth engagement, mental wellness, health equity, restorative practices, and community collaboration.