Communities That Care

What is Communities That Care? (CTC) “Operating system” that focuses on risk and protective factors to provide structure for community efforts to address youth issues. Addresses: – Substance abuse – Delinquency – Teen pregnancy – School dropout – Violence

Community Risk Factors Availability of drugs Availability of firearms Community laws and norms favorable to drug use, firearms, and crime Media portrayals of violence Transitions and mobility Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization Extreme economic deprivation

Family Risk Factors Family history of problem behavior Family management problems Family conflict Parental attitudes toward, and involvement in, substance abuse, crime, and violence

School Risk Factors Early and persistent antisocial behavior Academic failure in elementary school Lack of commitment to school

Individual/Peer Risk Factors Alienation and rebelliousness Friends who engage in problem behaviors Early initiation of a problem behavior Constitutional factors

Individual Protective Factors Gender Resilient temperament Positive orientation Intelligence

Positive Factor: Bonding Parents and families Other significant adults Teachers, school Peer groups Organizations Community

How Protective Factors Counter Risk Individual characteristics provide a foundation for healthy behavior To develop or enhance individual characteristics, children and adolescents are given a chance to contribute to their families, schools, and communities. Youth need: – Skills – The opportunity to contribute – Recognition for their contribution

How Protective Factors Counter Risk (cont.) Contribution leads to bonding For a bonded child or adolescent, the provision of healthy beliefs and clear standards furnish the structure and corrective feedback needed for positive development Ultimately, this progression leads to healthy behavior

Advantages to the CTC Approach Grounded in theory and practice Inclusive and participatory Takes a community perspective Involves training at every step Provides a menu of “best practices” from which to choose Is adapted to its own needs by each community Includes evaluation and adjustment as an integral part of any effort Seems to work for most problem behaviors

Disadvantages to the CTC Approach Only inclusive and participatory for certain people Allows the choice of only a finite number of approaches Choosing from “best practices” may encourage communities to merely follow directions rather than throwing heart and soul into the effort Narrowly focused To a certain extent, based on assumptions Has a service to sell

Who should be involved in CTC? People directly affected by the problem behaviors People affected indirectly by the problem behaviors Community leaders and decision-makers Those with community interest The media

How do you employ the CTC approach? Awareness Education Community mobilization Community assessment Prevention plan development Program implementation Outcomes evaluation

Community Assessment Youth survey Census and accompanying GIS data Archival records Direct contact with youth and other citizens

Resources to Support the CTC Approach Money Expertise People Avenues to reach youth