PEER Ambassadors

June 8, 2022

We are launching a new program for reaching out to local parents!  The PEER Ambassador Program (PEER stands for Parent Engagement, Enrichment, and Resources) is a collaboration between a number of different community organizations that work with parents and families.  Currently the host sites include The Recover Project, The Salasin Center, the North Quabbin Community Coalition, and Community Action’s Family Center (who also works with the Center for New Americans).

These organizations have nominated parents who are natural leaders from within their programs to participate in the PEER Ambassador self-paced training program, and then to represent their organizations and the Communities That Care Coalition in providing outreach and education to other parents in the region – helping to connect families to important online and local resources.  PEER Ambassadors receive monthly stipends for their participation as well as ongoing professional development opportunities.

2020 Community Action Plan and 2019 Teen Health Survey Data

June 8, 2022

The Communities That Care Coalition has revised its Community Action Plan and the latest version (the Coalition’s fifth) was presented for approval at the full coalition meeting on October 25, 2019.  Also featured at the meeting:

  • a facilitated discussion about the importance of leading with race in a predominantly white rural area 
  • release and discussion of data from the 2019 Franklin County/North Quabbin Youth Risk Behavior Survey
  • presentation of the 2019 Mike Fritz Community Builder Award to Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández from Greenfield Community College
  • networking and lunch
CAP-2019-Digital-VersionDownload

Communities That Care Coalition’s “Got Outcomes” Coalition of Excellence Award

June 8, 2022

In 2007, Communities That Care was recognized as the “Got Outcomes” Coalition of Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). CADCA is the nation’s premier membership organization for substance abuse prevention coalitions, with representation from more than 5000 coalitions. The Communities That Care Coalition was selected from a nationally competitive pool of nominees.

The Got Outcomes! Coalition of the Year awards recognize coalitions that have successfully reduced substance abuse in their communities through evidence-based programs, policies or strategies. Applicants undergo a rigorous review process and winners are judged by a panel of expert coalition leaders. “These organizations represent the best of the best, and exemplify the excellent work that coalitions are doing around the country to prevent and reduce drug use in their communities,” said General Arthur T. Dean, CADCA’s Chairman and CEO, of Got Outcomes! Award recipients. 

Shared Use and Community Kitchens Webinar

June 8, 2022

On September 24, 2018, the Communities That Care Coalition hosted a workshop for advocates of community use of space for food production and organizations interested in producing food products for sale or donation. For those unable to attend, the content of the  workshop was captured in a webinar available here.

Inclusiveness Checklist

March 15, 2024

We wanted to share this nice resource from the JSS School Council. This was designed to help make sure that anyone planning an event had some guidance in thinking about all the different ways to make school community events more inclusive. Please feel free to take and adapt this form for your own purposes!

JSS-Inclusivity-ChecklistGo To Document

What Schools Can Do: a report on local school policies and practices related to substance use

June 8, 2022

What Schools Can Do: Creative Ways Franklin County and North Quabbin Schools are Implementing DESE Guidance on Substance Use Prevention. 

This report shares findings from meetings at all of the area districts, including information on local trends in school policies and practices, program highlights, current challenges, and ideas for next steps to enhance existing practices. It outlines how districts across Franklin County and the North Quabbin have created policies and practices that are in line with recent guidance from The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and that respond to the needs of their local communities.  Local survey data is incorporated to provide further context.

In response to local interest, a special section on increasing equity in discipline includes research, best practices and local examples about how to respond to violations.

Throughout the report, clickable links to the Program Descriptions, an appendix and external websites provide an opportunity to learn more about specific programs.

Many thanks to everyone who met with us or provided information for this project!

What-Schools-Can-Do-2017Download

Community Voices: needs assessment on local youth substance use

June 8, 2022

In 2015-2016, CTC conducted a set of interviews and focus groups as a part of a community assessment on the topic of youth substance use. Coordinating Council members sought out interviews with school personnel, service providers, and law enforcement officials who work directly with youth who use, and held focus groups with parents and youth who are familiar with or embedded in local youth culture, including a high-risk segment of that culture. 

Community members gathered to review findings from the community assessment and to share their own perspectives. Participants in this “Community Voices” session also viewed short videos created by area youth to share their experiences and knowledge about youth substance use. The assessment report is available here.

PFY-Community-Assessment-Draft-Mar-17Download