Coalition Development

Since its inception in 1987, SPI has maintained its primary focus to prevent substance use and abuse, along with a broader spectrum of prevention programming available to schools, communities and the workplace.  SPI uses a wide range of SAMHSA Model programs and a culturally based approach to emphasize resiliency and protective factors in all youth and families.  SPI  has a proven track record of developing a community needs assessment  and preparing the community for a mobilization goal that would serve to engage and empower the residents.  As a result, SPI has spearheaded the development of three community coalitions which address underage drinking.

Scottsdale Neighborhoods In Action

In 1998, SPI established El Centro de la Familia, to address the needs of Scottsdale’s growing Hispanic population. Following a Communities that Care best practice model (Hawkins & Catalano, 1998), El Centro de la Familia began substance abuse prevention services. With a mission “to advocate and provide substance abuse and mental health prevention in order to improve the quality of life and well being of children and families.” El Centro serves as the keystone to a multi agency effort to support the South Scottsdale communities of Paiute, Belleview, and Minnezona in addition to the surrounding neighborhoods.

In 2003, the center began to prepare for a community mobilization. After a comprehensive assessment (quantitative and qualitative) the staff at El Centro de la Familia began implementing an action plan and used a Community-Based Participatory Research Model (CBPR) that lead to the development of Scottsdale Neighborhoods in Action. SPI initiated SNIA, a grass roots, community based collaboration. The coalition has provided a structure within which the targeted areas of improvement could be accomplished.  For more information, contact Alma Estefano, Acting Director at El Centro de la Familia, 480-312-0012.

SNIA gets results. It has reduced public drinking, shut down drug houses, provided youth with an alternative to gang involvement and aided enforcement to eliminate neighborhood crime.

SNIA Coalition Members:
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale
City of Scottsdale Human Services
City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation
City of Scottsdale Youth & Family Services
Dustman Group
Magellan Health Services
Scottsdale Fire Department
Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale Police Department
Scottsdale Prevention Institute
Scottsdale Unified School District

Healthy Families Forward

SPI joined forces with Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to address the unique family and community needs of tribal members who live and transition between the traditional reservation and the urban setting of metro Phoenix/Scottsdale. After a comprehensive needs assessment (quantitative and qualitative) SPI and the FMYN staff at the Wassaja Family Services location established the Healthy Families Forward Coalition. Together they seek to prevent the onset and progression of substance use/abuse through culturally relevant youth/parent education,community mobilization, peer leadership and health & public safety initiatives.  For more information, contact Henry Beauduy, Director Wassaja Family Services, 480-789-9089.

Communities Against Unerage Drinking Coalition - CAUDC

SPI is spearheading an on-going, area wide campaign focused on eliminating underage drinking. CAUDC mobilizes businesses, residents and Valley community organizations to fight underage drinking through awareness and ordinance compliance. Citizens, organizations and businesses that are interested in becoming partners in the Coalition should contact SPI Executive Director MaryEllen Tinsley at 480-443-3100, x 223, or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CAUDC Coalition Members:
David & Sam PR
Cave Creek Unified School District
City of Scottsdale Human Service Department
City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation
City Of Scottsdale Youth & Family Services
Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Paradise Valley Police Department
Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce
Scottsdale Health Care
Scottsdale Fire Department
Scottsdale Parent Council
Scottsdale Prevention Institute
Scottsdale Police Department
Scottsdale Unified School District
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus Pine Council