The Department of the Army is taking a proactive stance on preventing harmful behaviors and promoting healthy ones with the launch of the innovative Army Community Prevention Leadership Academy.
CPLA, launched in 2025 via an intergovernmental support agreement with the City of Alexandria, Virginia, is designed to equip Soldiers and Army Civilians with the essential skills needed to become prevention leaders within their communities. Since its launch, 80 students have graduated from the first two classes, marking a strong start for the program.
The academy’s curriculum prepares a wide range of participants—including Soldiers and Army Civilians from the active duty, Guard and Reserve components—to address harmful behaviors such as suicide, sexual assault and alcohol misuse. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and locations, the program fosters a collaborative environment where prevention strategies can be tailored to the unique needs of different communities. Its format also expands access, enabling a broader cohort of students to participate in person or virtually.
A key feature of the three-week training is its emphasis on practical, actionable products that students take back to their commanders, installations and communities.
Beginning with a community assessment that looks at the local conditions and problems within their communities, installations or regions, students then develop a logic model that identifies root causes. This is followed by a strategic action plan, an evaluation plan, a communication plan and, finally, a sustainability plan.
These products directly support CPLA’s overarching goal: equipping prevention integrators with the skills and knowledge needed to provide commanders with data-driven insights that inform decisions aimed at preventing harmful behaviors.
To ensure the training was resonating, evaluations were conducted after each week to gather participant feedback and assess how effectively knowledge transferred from trainers to students.
“The feedback was incredibly positive, over and over again,” said Renee Johnson, program manager for the Army Suicide Prevention and Response Program. “This training taught people how to translate science into practice where they work, live and serve in their community command team.”
“If we are serious about getting to actionable outcomes, this course will provide that for our professionals in the field,” said Jojuan Huber, a student in the course and a Health Promotion Project Officer at the Defense Centers for Public Health.
The early success of CPLA reflects the power of partnership and shared purpose.
“The CPLA gives our prevention personnel a chance to address social challenges in ways we haven’t before. It’s about moving beyond conversation and working together on innovative strategies that bridge the gap between prevention, intervention and local policy development,” said Kenitha Woodhouse, DPRR Army Community Service Specialist, who served as an observer during the last training cycle.
Together, the Army is cultivating leaders who are ready to strengthen prevention efforts and enhance the well-being of communities throughout the force.
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