|
Introduction
Communities That Care (CTC) is a risk-focused and research-proven approach for the reduction of problem behaviors among youth. CTC works by empowering communities to gather at the grass-roots level in order to reduce problem behaviors among adolescents such as delinquency or drug use by identifying and reducing the risk factors that are shown to lead to those problem behaviors.
| |
|
Through a comprehensive process that brings members of the community together, Priority Risk Factors are identified, and research-based programs are implemented to reduce those risks. Referred to as Protective Factors, these programs promote positive youth development through promoting positive individual characteristics, bonding, healthy beliefs and clear standards, and opportunities for positive community involvement. This method is proven to work through extensive research and is the core of how CTC reduces risk factors in the community.
| |
|
The CTC sites listed below have completed this comprehensive process to target specific risk factors in their communities. No two communities are exactly alike, and neither are the ways they work to prevent adolescent problem behaviors.
| |
|
CTC in Pennsylvania started through seed grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
These grants allowed the prevention boards in each community to convene, hire a community mobilizer, perform the Risk and Resource Assessment, and begin implementing research-based programs.
| |
|
Through the work of CTC prevention boards across the Commonwealth, CTC has become integral to the communities in which they serve. With strong community buy-in and commitment to proven strategies, CTC has become a sustainable initiative that has strengthened communities and has become the model for community mobilization and prevention efforts.
| |
|
