Volume 1, Number 4 - April/May 1998

In an effort to expand its role in traffic safety, the Cortland County (New York) Health Department sponsored a community meeting and encouraged anyone interested in participating in Safe Communities to attend. One outcome of the meeting was the formation of a committee interested in working on the issue of traffic safety and substance abuse. The Seven Valleys Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse expressed an interest in using their puppet ensemble to bring traffic safety messages to school children; however, they did not feel prepared to do this on their own. Pooling their knowledge and skills, the Safe Communities Committee (which included representatives from the Health Department, the County STOP DWI Program, and the Seven Valleys Council, among others) developed a script appropriate for children in grades K-3 and recruited volunteers from a local halfway house to build a portable stage. A local radio station offered to tape the soundtrack for the show and provide sound-engineering services. Individuals and businesses from the community donated props and designed and produced the scenery for the show. The show continues to tour local elementary schools, bringing the messages of bicycle safety and substance abuse prevention to students.

"You need a specific idea in order to bring together a committed core group of people to carry it through," says Leslie Kannus, of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County, and coordinator of the project. "People will come through with resources if they can grasp the purpose. Too often coalitions flounder because their ideas are too broad or too vague. In this case we had something specific we wanted to accomplish. Because we were clear on what our resource needs were, the community was forthcoming with resources. People don't respond well to ambiguity. Everyone is stretched for time and resources. But we found that if you are clear on what you need people to do or provide, they are eager to help."

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