The Communities That Care System Working to make healthy communities in Indiana

youth behavior problems uses prevention-science research to promote positive youth development and prevent youth behavior problems provides local control and flexibility to help maintain support for the process matches a local profile of risk and protection to tested, effective policies, programs and practices CTC is NOT a program. Rather, it is a step-by-step process that involves identifying the problem and contributors to the problem, selecting evidence-based approaches, implementing as designed, and determining the impact It is an approach for determining the needs of a community based on data. focuses on outcomes to ensure accountability for resources. Key Leader Orientation 1-8

Research has identified protective factors in four domains: The CTC system is a multi-phased process involving building capacity, assessing needs, developing a plan to implement those needs, implementing individual and community level strategies to address the needs, and evaluating all efforts. This process closely resembles the Strategic Prevention Framework which was introduced into Indiana 2007 to combat youth substance abuse and problem behaviors. CTC is being utilized as a tool for introducing the Framework to communities that were not a part of the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG). CTC is not a program, but a process which determines the need, and selects, implements and evaluates programs, policies, and practices in order for communities to see real results in decreases of youth substance abuse and other problem behaviors.   Protective factors buffer young people’s exposure to risk. Key Leader Orientation 2-20

Why is CTC Needed in Indiana? Mean age of first Use of all Drugs is between 11 and 12 years Overall, high rates of use, with only small decreases observed Slight upward trend in Marijuana Use in last 3 years * Source: www.drugs.indiana.edu/data-survey_monograph.html By observing the graph it is easy to see that there has been very little movement on the numbers in the last three years. CTC is being implemented throughout the state in order to see greater reduction in overall youth substance use and abuse. (This is a great place to put your own community’s data!)

Research has identified risk factors in four domains: Risk factors are predictive of higher levels of adolescent substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out and violence. Key Leader Orientation 2-14

Research has identified protective factors in four domains: Protective factors focus on the building opportunities, skills, and recognition in order to buffer young people’s exposure to risk and eventually see a change in the behavior. The more risk factors present, the greater the chances of problem behavior. Risk factors are buffered by protective factors. Key Leader Orientation 2-20

How to Get Involved with the CTC Initiative? Join the Community Board Provide Funding for Future Programs Provide contact information for the Community Board Implement a Program This section should be tailored to the group which is being presented to. Once you have described to the people how they might be able to get involved, make the proposal or “pitch” to the group, and then begin the Capacity Building Activity.

Contact Information DSA Program Director: John Smith Phone: (555)867-5309 Email: johnsmith@nomail.com or CTC Community Coordinator: Jane Doe Phone: (555) 123-4567 Email: janedoe@nomail.com The CTC in Indiana is coordinated by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center. Please Visit our website at www.drugs.indiana.edu or call by phone at (812)855-1237 or 1-800-346-3077