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WHAT IS COMMUNITIES THAT CARE (CTC) ABOUT? Over and over again, we are reminded of the pressures, risks, stress, difficult and dangerous choices facing children and young people today. There has been a slow but steady movement of concerned citizens coming together with the common goal of providing a rich, healthy environment that ensures that young people grow up with the character and competence needed to succeed in life. This common goal is being achieved throughout Chester County by utilizing a community building and planning model widely known as Communities That Care. Communities That Care coalitions promote healthy youth development and work together to prevent and reduce youth behavioral and health problems including: Delinquency Teen PregnancySchool Drop-Out Violence Research shows there are influential risk factors in children’s lives that increase the chances they will engage in behavior problems, as they grow older. Equally important, there are protective factors that help shield young people from problems and circumstances that would otherwise place them at risk. The Communities That Care model helps communities identify these risks (risk factors) and build on these strengths and assets (protective factors). The resulting profile of risk and protective factors equips local coalitions with a powerful tool for planning effective prevention strategies where priorities are targeted for action and advocating for community-specific needs. Overall, the Communities That Care model aims to:
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