The Alternative Community Events (ACE) Framework is designed to promote positive behaviors, community bonding, and create supportive spaces that drive positive outcomes across various community concerns. This worksheet will help you identify the most critical areas for your community to focus on when implementing the ACE approach, applicable to any age range or group across the lifespan. The fillable worksheet is available at the end of Chapter One.

Determining Scope

Part 1: Reflection on Key Factors and Assets

Review the following lists of risk factors, protective factors, and Developmental Assets that the ACE approach can impact, and check the boxes for the top 10 that represent your intuited short-list of potential need areas:

Risk Factors:

☐ Low Community Attachment

☐ Perception of Peer Substance Use

Protective Factors:

☐ Bonding and Attachment

☐ Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards

☐ Interaction with Prosocial Peers

Developmental Assets:

☐ Support

☐ Empowerment

☐ Boundaries and Expectations

☐ Constructive Use of Time

☐ Commitment to Learning

☐ Positive Values

☐ Social Competence

☐ Positive Identity

☐ Family Support

☐ Family Boundaries and Expectations

☐ Positive Family Communication

☐ Community Values Individuals

☐ Opportunities for Community Involvement

☐ Safety

☐ Community Engagement

Part 2: Identifying Priority Areas

Based on your reflection of the factors and assets listed above, using local data, narrow the scope to identify the top 3-5 areas (priority risk factors, protective factors, or Developmental Assets) you believe are the most urgent or priority areas to strengthen in your community. Consider the current state of your community, existing challenges, and potential for positive impact across all age groups. For each of the top 3-5 priority areas, indicate:

1. Priority Area: _______________________________________________
   • Why is this area a priority for your community?
   • What qualitative or quantitative data points support these areas of need?
2. Priority Area: _______________________________________________
   • Why is this area a priority for your community?
   • What qualitative or quantitative data points support these areas of need?
3. Priority Area: _______________________________________________
   • Why is this area a priority for your community?
   • What qualitative or quantitative data points support these areas of need?
4. Priority Area: _______________________________________________
   • Why is this area a priority for your community?
   • What qualitative or quantitative data points support these areas of need?
5. Priority Area: _______________________________________________
   • Why is this area a priority for your community?
   • What qualitative or quantitative data points support these areas of need?
6. How does this priority area affect the broader community?  What is the return on investment and potential impact of improving these areas across the 12 community sectors (individuals, families, business, media, schools, service provider organizations, law enforcement, religious or fraternal organizations, civic or volunteer groups, healthcare professionals, state or local government agencies, and other local organizations)?
7. What are the potential long-term benefits of addressing this area, and desired trajectory of change (measurable impact in terms of improving the data points provided)?

Part 3: Action Planning

For each priority area identified, outline potential ACE activities or events that could help address this area. Consider how these activities can be adapted or tailored for different age groups or populations in your community. For each priority area, indicate:

1. What types of new ACE activities could address this priority area?

☐ Alternative Events

☐ Media Campaign

☐ Policy or Practice Change

☐ Companion Training

☐ Program Delivery

☐ Other (describe)  Click or tap here to enter text.

3. What gaps exist in addressing this priority area in your community, in terms of strategy availability, saturation, effectiveness, or sustainability?

4. In what ways could new ACE activities fill these gaps or support existing approaches?

Congratulations!!

By completing this worksheet, you’ve taken the first step in applying the Evidence Informed ACE Framework to your community’s specific needs across all age groups and populations. Use these insights to guide your planning and implementation of Alternative Community Events that will have the most significant positive impact on your community’s well-being. As you move forward with your planning, consider how your chosen priority areas and activities can create a ripple effect of positive change throughout your entire community, benefiting individuals of all ages and backgrounds.