Challenge:
Communities across the state had expressed an interest in passing local smoke-free ordinances, but lacked the experience, skills, and capacity to undertake this work on their own. These communities did not, however, want the work to be taken over by an outside organization.
Solution:
Working closely with ClearWay Minnesota, grassroots solutions developed and is implementing a multi-year training and technical assistance program to support local communities working to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke through citizen engagement and public health policy. grassroots solutions developed this program by conducting a comprehensive statewide assessment to determine the type of help and support that local communities wanted and really needed. Based on the assessment process, various communities receive the following: customized hands-on training, easy-to-use organizing materials, a digital organizing center, and regular opportunities to connect with other smoke-free advocates to share valuable lessons and best practices.
Results:
- The smoke-free technical assistance program has delivered customized technical assistance to sixteen communities, including planning sessions, grassroots and communications trainings, and strategic in-person consultations.
- A statewide workshop for smoke-free advocates drew an unprecedented sixty-seven participants from across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Program evaluations showed that nearly ninety-eight percent of respondents who have used the technical assistance program in the past would do so again. One hundred percent of respondents said the services provided by grassroots solutions helped move their coalitions forward.
- Successful local ordinance work was instrumental in paving the way for the statewide Freedom to Breathe Act, which passed in 2007, and local capacity ensured that implementation of the law was smooth and successful.