Community Development Specialists

The backbone of West Virginia’s prevention system is a regional network of Community Development Specialists (CDS) who build local capacity by providing a continuum of technical assistance and support. The West Virginia Prevention Resource’s 16 CDSs are trained prevention professionals who live and work locally throughout West Virginia’s 55 counties.They work in teams of four with each team responsible for approximately 12 to 16 counties in four different regions in the state. A CDS’s job is to work collaboratively with grassroots community organizations and individuals, providing technical assistance specifically in the area of substance abuse prevention within a risk and protective framework, while stressing assets. Responsibilities include assessing community strengths and weaknesses, helping communities with strategic planning, team building, formulating goals and objectives, grant writing, coalition building, and developing and evidence-based programs, practices and policies. CDS also assist communities in using evaluation to improve their efforts. Locate the Community Development Specialist serving your county by clicking on the map below.