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The Alternative Community Events (ACE) Framework is a versatile strategy that can be applied to any community issue or priority, whether it’s substance misuse prevention, mental health promotion, anti-stigma campaigns, positive youth development, or fostering increased caring and connectivity. By offering engaging, enjoyable activities, the ACE Framework promotes positive behaviors and community bonding, while providing alternatives to environments where harmful behaviors might otherwise occur. This approach helps shift social norms and create supportive spaces that drive positive outcomes across a wide range of community concerns. ACE is grounded in research that demonstrates the benefits of providing structured, enjoyable activities, which can reduce the likelihood of substance use among participants. By promoting positive social interactions and providing a sense of belonging, ACE helps increase protective factors and promote resilience.

The Origins of ACE

The concept of providing alternative activities to prevent substance abuse emerged in the literature and among prevention professionals in the early 1970s, though it lacks a strong conceptual prevention origin (Wald & Abrams, 1972). This approach typically involved establishing youth centers that offered unique or specific activities for young people. The underlying assumption was that engaging young people in appealing real-life experiences could deter them from substance use. Building on this, Horan (1973) introduced the concept of “competing reinforcement hierarchies” in the context of substance abuse prevention activities. This idea suggests that young people are influenced by various reinforcements or rewards that compete for their attention and behavior. In simpler terms, different activities or experiences can either encourage or discourage substance use, depending on how appealing they are compared to each other. Horan emphasized that these reinforcement hierarchies are complex and must be understood within specific contexts and interpersonal dynamics. For example, the appeal of a youth center’s activities might vary based on individual preferences, social influences, and the specific environment. This complexity means that prevention strategies need to be tailored to the unique circumstances of each community and individual. In summary, Horan’s findings highlight the importance of creating engaging and appealing alternatives to substance use that can effectively compete with the allure of drugs, taking into account the diverse factors that influence young people’s choices.

Sensation-seeking has been long considered a risk factor for substance use. The Seattle Social Development Group (SDRG) identified sensation-seeking under the broader “Constitutional Factors” category (Arthur, Hawkins, Pollard, et al., 2002). This concept was later refined in the development of aggregated CTC indicator indices for adolescent risk and protection, where Feinberg, Ridenour, and Greenberg (2007) defined a larger construct known as “Risky Behavior Tendencies,” which includes sensation-seeking as a key element. Additionally, Zuckerman, Ball, and Black (1990) confirmed sensation-seeking as an influential factor in shaping behavior related to risk-taking. In an early investigation of the role of sensation-seeking in substance use, Ventura and Dundon (1974) evaluated an Outward Bound-type program aimed at addressing substance abuse through experiential activities such as canoeing and camping. Their study explored whether these high-sensation experiences could serve as effective preventive measures. Although the study did not find statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups, anecdotal observations indicated positive changes. Participants reported improvements in self-esteem, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, suggesting potential benefits despite the lack of significant quantitative outcomes.

Given the mixed evaluation outcomes and derivation of the strategy, the design and methodology of alternative activities for substance abuse prevention should be firmly rooted in prevention science and responsive to current research findings. The ACE approach ensures that programs are not only theoretically sound but also adaptable to the specific variables that influence their effectiveness, such as individual preferences, social dynamics, and environmental contexts. Moreover, achieving community normative change requires intentional design of alternative activities layered with social marketing campaigns, policy changes, and community-based processes. This multifaceted aspect of the ACE approach can help shift community norms and create a supportive environment that reinforces healthy behaviors and deters health and behavior issues such as substance use.

Overview of Ace

The ACE Framework was developed to provide a robust theoretical foundation and implementation structure based on the Diffusion of Innovation model and the CSAP Alternative Activities Core Strategy for improving community health and well-being. Central to this framework is the emphasis on constructive, supervised activities that offer safe and engaging options for individuals, particularly youth, to engage in within a supportive, positive community context. These events provide opportunities for skill development, positive social interactions, and healthy recreation.  Additionally, when ACE is implemented with appropriate intensity, layering and fidelity, the changes in communities can be measurable and definable, as the ACE approach offers the ability to enhance levels of protective factors and protective individual characteristics among children, youth, and individuals of all ages; for example, Alternative Community Events is consistent with research in design to support the development of protective factors and/or reduction in risk factors (France & Crow, 2005) that can include:

• Bonding and Attachment via: Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement, Skills for Prosocial Involvement, and Recognition for Prosocial Involvement
• Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
• Interaction with Prosocial Peers
• Low Community Attachment
• Perception of Peer Substance Use
• Favorable Attitudes Toward Substance Use

When implemented with fidelity, saturation, targeted design, and local capacity building, Alternative Community Events can foster youth Developmental Assets (Benson, 2007) with mapped linkages to these protective constructs that include:

• Support – Providing caring, supportive relationships through event organizers and community interactions.
• Empowerment – Offering youth opportunities to take on leadership roles and contribute to event planning and execution.
• Boundaries and Expectations – Establishing clear guidelines and expectations for behavior within a structured and supervised environment.
• Constructive Use of Time – Engaging youth in positive, structured activities that occupy their time in meaningful ways.
• Commitment to Learning – Encouraging participation in activities that promote skill development and lifelong learning.
• Positive Values – Reinforcing values such as respect, responsibility, and empathy through event content and interactions.
• Social Competence – Enhancing interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate social situations through organized activities.
• Positive Identity – Helping individuals build a sense of self-worth and confidence through participation and achievement in events.
• Family Support – Strengthening family connections and support networks through shared activities and community involvement.
• Family Boundaries and Expectations – Reinforcing clear and consistent expectations for behavior within the family unit as they participate in community events.
• Positive Family Communication – Encouraging open and constructive communication within families through collaborative activities and shared experiences.
• Community Values Youth – Demonstrating that the community values and supports youth through organized events and activities.
• Opportunities for Youth – Providing meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in community events, contribute to planning, and engage in leadership roles.
• Safety – Ensuring that events take place in safe, supervised environments that protect youth from harm.
• Community Involvement – Encouraging active participation in community life and promoting a sense of belonging and engagement among youth and families.

While offering a standardized approach, the ACE Framework also allows for local adaptations, while also providing clear fidelity parameters and uniform implementation guidelines to ensure consistency across communities. It is crucial to tailor the framework to local needs and contexts; this customization should include integrating social marketing strategies and intentional reinforcement messaging to amplify the impact of the activities. It’s essential to recognize that alternative activities, while key, are just one element of a comprehensive approach. For maximal impact, communities should ideally incorporate policy changes alongside these activities. This multi-faceted strategy can create a more supportive environment for healthy behaviors and long-term community well-being.

By operationalizing these principles and integrating them into a broader community health strategy, the ACE Framework is designed enhance the effectiveness of alternative activities implemented within communities, while complementing, or layering alongside, existing strategic approaches or other programs, to act as a catalyst for positive change.

Strategic Prevention Framework Integration

The Alternative Community Events (ACE) Framework is designed to align with the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), introduced and delineated in 2004 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This alignment ensures a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improving community health and well-being. The ACE Framework incorporates each of the SPF’s five steps and two cross-cutting principles:

1. Assessment: The ACE Framework begins with a thorough community assessment. This involves collecting and analyzing data to identify community needs, gaps in existing activities, and protective factors that can be strengthened through alternative events.
2. Capacity Building: This step focuses on developing the resources and partnerships necessary for successful ACE implementation. The ACE Framework emphasizes engaging diverse community sectors, training volunteers, securing venues, and establishing collaborations with various organizations, particularly those serving prioritized populations (e.g., youth, older adults, young adults).
3. Planning: The ACE Framework guides communities in designing a comprehensive implementation plan d that include as comprehensive calendar of events that are sequenced to build over time in messaging and impact, and layered with strategic communications planning and policy change initiatives. This process involves extensive input from the population of focus and other stakeholders to ensure events are appealing, relevant, and culturally appropriate.
4. Implementation: This stage brings ACEs to life, following best practices outlined in the framework. It includes maintaining consistent branding, ensuring proper promotion, adhering to health-promoting policies, and executing events with fidelity to the planned design.
5. Evaluation: The ACE Framework incorporates ongoing evaluation throughout the process. This includes assessing both process measures (e.g., planning efficiency, attendance, participant satisfaction) and outcome measures (e.g., changes in attitudes, behaviors, and community well-being). This data is used to continuously refine and improve the ACE strategy.

Throughout all stages, the ACE Framework emphasizes the two cross-cutting principles of the SPF:

• Cultural Competence: ACEs are designed to respect and reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The framework guides organizers in ensuring events are inclusive, respectful, and relevant to all community members.
• Sustainability: The ACE Framework incorporates strategies for long-term viability, including diversifying funding sources, maintaining strong community partnerships, and building local capacity to continue the initiative.

By aligning with the Strategic Prevention Framework, the ACE Framework ensures a comprehensive approach to community health promotion that is well-integrated with other community efforts and responsive to local needs and resources.

Please refer to the ACE theory of change depicted in the following logic model as a reference for how the strategy is designed to achieve and build capacity for sustainable community change. Please refer to the ACE theory of change depicted in the following logic model as a reference for how the strategy is designed to achieve and build capacity for sustainable community change:

Understanding the ACE Logic Model

The Alternative Community Events Framework (ACE) program is built on a foundation of strategic planning and evidence-based practices. At the core of this approach is the program’s logic model, a vital tool that illustrates how the ACE program creates change within communities. This model serves as a roadmap, demonstrating how current efforts can lead to a healthier, substance-free future.

The logic model begins with inputs, which comprise the resources allocated to the program. These include prevention specialists, youth advocates, the ACE strategy manual, community partnerships, and program funding. These elements form the foundation of the program, providing the necessary means to transform the ACE vision into tangible results.

From these inputs stem the program’s activities. These encompass the planning and execution of substance-free events, ongoing stakeholder engagement, youth involvement in decision-making processes, and continuous strategy refinement based on evaluation findings. These actions drive the program forward, generating immediate, observable results.