Start a County DEC Alliance

Building Coordinated Response in Your Community

KADEC-Header_Alliances

Why Start a DEC Alliance?

Children impacted by substance use often interact with multiple systems—schools, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services. Without coordination, they can fall through gaps.

 

A county DEC alliance brings these systems together to:

  • Identify children earlier
  • Coordinate response across agencies
  • Strengthen trauma-informed practices
  • Improve referral pathways
  • Support families before crises escalate

 

Alliances are locally led and supported by KADEC and the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (NADEC).

Who Can Start an Alliance?

DEC alliances are typically initiated by community leaders in:

  • Child welfare
  • Law enforcement
  • Healthcare
  • Behavioral health
  • Education
  • Tribal health and social services
  • Community-based organizations

 

Any community with committed multidisciplinary partners can begin the process.

Step 1: Contact KADEC

The first step is to connect with KADEC to express interest.

 

KADEC provides:

  • Orientation to the DEC approach
  • Guidance on forming a core leadership team
  • Information about NADEC training requirements
  • Technical assistance throughout development

 

CONTACT KADEC TO BEGIN ›

Step 2: Build a Multidisciplinary Team

Successful alliances include representation from:

  • Law enforcement
  • Child welfare
  • Healthcare
  • Behavioral health
  • Education
  • Community partners

 

Establish:

  • A designated chair or coordinator
  • Regular meeting cadence
  • Defined roles and responsibilities

 

Step 3: Complete DEC Training

All alliances align with the National DEC approach.

 

This includes:

  • Participation in NADEC-approved training
  • Adoption of shared identification and referral protocols
  • Commitment to trauma-informed response

 

NADEC certifies alliances that meet established standards.

Step 4: Formalize Collaboration

Formalize partnerships through:

  • Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
  • Data-sharing agreements (as appropriate)
  • Shared case review or coordination processes

 

Document structure and goals to ensure sustainability.

Step 5: Sustain and Evaluate

Effective alliances:

  • Track training participation
  • Monitor referral pathways
  • Identify service gaps
  • Review outcomes and adjust strategies

 

KADEC provides ongoing technical assistance and statewide networking support.

Ongoing Support from KADEC

KADEC offers:

  • Training coordination
  • Technical assistance
  • Resource templates
  • Communication tools
  • Access to statewide and national networks
  • Opportunities for grant alignment

 

You are not building alone. You are joining a coordinated statewide effort.

Begin the Process

Ready to explore forming a county DEC alliance?
CONTACT KADEC