One lesson Tobacco Free Alachua has learned is that policy change in small communities often depends on trusted local voices. While countywide organizations can provide technical assistance, education, and policy expertise, community members are often more influential when speaking with local decision makers. Identifying and engaging these "inside champions" can be the key to moving a policy forward. But connecting and finding the right insider can be challenging.

As part of the Tobacco Free Parks initiative, provider staff met with the Director of the Hawthorne Area Resource Center to discuss strategies for increasing support for a tobacco free public parks policy. The Resource Center serves as a community hub and regularly partners with the City of Hawthorne for events and town business, placing its leadership in a unique position to communicate with both elected officials and city staff. During the meeting, staff provided an overview of Tobacco Free Alachua's mission, shared the public health benefits of tobacco free parks, and discussed the importance of having respected local advocates speak in favor of the policy.

Not all meetings with potential collaborators yield immediate next steps, but in this case the partnership grew. The Director agreed to speak with the City's Recreation and Parks Director to inquire about the status of updating the park's tobacco free policy while expressing support for the proposed change. Provider staff also strengthened the relationship by inviting the Director to participate in the next Tobacco Free Alachua partnership meeting, creating an opportunity for continued collaboration.

For providers working with smaller municipalities, consider investing time in identifying organizations or individuals who are deeply connected to the community. Community resource centers, civic organizations, faith leaders, and other trusted local partners often have established relationships that outside organizations do not. By equipping these local champions with accurate information and opportunities to engage, tobacco prevention partnerships can build stronger community support and create momentum for local policy change.