At what stage of the prevention process is determining community readiness best accomplished?

Determining community readiness is best accomplished during the assessment stage of the prevention process. This stage involves gathering data about the community, including identifying strengths, weaknesses, resources, and specific needs. Understanding community readiness requires evaluating not only the prevalence of issues related to substance use or behaviors but also the community's willingness and capacity to address these issues. This entails collecting information through surveys, focus groups, and discussions with stakeholders, which helps ascertain how prepared the community is to engage in prevention efforts.

This readiness assessment lays the groundwork for developing tailored strategies that align with the community's current situation and commitment levels. Engaging in this early stage allows for better-informed planning and implementation phases, ensuring that efforts are both relevant and likely to be supported by the community. Thus, recognizing community readiness during assessment is crucial for successful prevention initiatives.