Communities That Care Coalition
Promoting health, well-being, and equity among young people in Franklin County and the North Quabbin
If you read the Connections newsletter or hang out with coalition staff and community partners, you know we love our local public libraries! Check out this fun scavenger hunt, created by Dane Kuttler, local library lover who works for Community Action. It can be done at any public library during any time of year!
Instructions are below – click here to view it on your phone or download it below and print it out.
Cooking together can be a fun and educational experience for kids, and it helps create wonderful holiday memories. But sometimes it can be hard to think of ways that they can help without slowing down the process. Now you don’t have to figure it out, because this post has simple ideas for how kids can help with ten common holiday side dishes and desserts!
Last updated September, 2023
The good news is that it’s never too early or too late to talk about race, racism, and white privilege with kids.
Like talking about any important and complicated issue, research shows that it’s helpful to have many conversations instead of trying to have one big talk. This is similar to having ongoing conversations instead of one big “birds and the bees” talk about sex. There is age appropriate information for each stage.
Lots of well-informed people and organizations have already given these topics lots of thought, so we’ve put together a list with resources for parents, caregivers, and teachers of younger children, older children, and teens.
Some of the resources are great for families of all races while others are intended to help white parents or white children learn about their privilege. We encourage you to explore and decide which resources are a good fit for your family.
We plan to continue updating this page! We are trying to keep this list short enough that it’s easy to take in, but there is definitely room for a few more items. Contact 4SC coordinator, Ilana Gerjuoy if you have suggestions for additions or changes.
For families with younger children
16 ways to help children become thoughtful, informed, and BRAVE about race from Embrace Race. Also available en español. Solid, user-friendly tips for things to do, things to do, and things to model as an adult in a child’s life.
Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism from PBS kids. Check out the video with Daniel Tiger, Arthur, a diverse group of parents and children, and Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman! This page also has supportive articles for parents and caregivers about race, racism, and how to talk with children.
Talking Race With Young Children Short podcast from NPR and the Sesame Street Workshop that offers accessible tips for talking with young kids.
Talking Race With Young Children (part 2)
from NPR, this resource includes a 20 minute radio story and several quick tips in print and additional resources on the page.
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup
by Katrina Michie, a whole bunch of already curated resources, including book lists, tips for talking with kids, and more!
For families with older children and teenagers
10 tips for teaching and talking to kids about race
from EmbraceRace in partnership with MomsRising. As the description says these tips are designed “to help parents of all backgrounds teach and talk about race.”
Look Deeper: Race
an online course developed by PointMade Learning to complement their film, “I’m Not Racist … Am I?”, which was screened locally by CTC’s Racial Justice Workgroup in October 2020. It divides the documentary into eight chapters, each accompanied by lessons, interactive exercises, and reflection questions. (The PointMade website offers additional products and services for purchase and some free resources, as well.)
Talking To Teens About Race and How (And Why) To Talk To Kids About Race
These articles from psychologists at Momentous Institute (which focuses on social-emotional health), are aimed at white parents looking for tips for talking with their teens and kids about race.
Local resource for youth of color: Stand Up! is a support and advocacy group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth in Franklin County, ages 9-21. Click on the “get involved” button on the Community Action Youth and Workforce Development Programs page to fill out an enrollment form for Stand Up! (and other programs).
For families with children and youth of a variety of ages
Participate in an Embrace Race Webinar
Embrace Race has a series of webinars on a variety of racial justice issues, many of which are aimed at parents and caregivers who want to learn more and raise racially conscious children.
Talking About Race
from the National Museum of African American History & Culture. This is a comprehensive resource with sections for Educators, Parents and Caregivers, and People Committed to Equity to encourage and help guide conversations and self-reflection.
Here’s How W. Kamau Bell Talks About Race With His Kids.
W. Kamau Bell is a black comedian who is married to a white woman and has mixed race kids. He hosted the CNN series, United Shades of America. An episode link at the top of page isn’t accessible, but the rest of the page is live so keep scrolling!
Anti-Racism Daily. A free, daily email with food for thought, Q & A, current events, historical context, and inspiration for action. Aimed at adults and includes some great content for parents, caregivers, and youth. Subscribe here.
10 Tips for Reading Picture Books with Children through a Race-Conscious Lens
by Megan Dowd Lambert (based in Western Mass) from EmbraceRace. These tips draw upon the Whole Book Approach, which the author created in collaboration with Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books by Louise Derman-Sparks from Social Justice Books, A Teaching for Change Project. This thoughtful guide invites readers to recognize and assess stereotypes, invisibility of certain groups, values, and more.
A relatively short, curated list of books for kids to help start conversations about race.
by Jessica Grose, editor of The New York Times’s Parenting section. She consulted with people whose work focuses on issues related to race and racism to create this list. It has a couple of recommendations by age from toddlers through teen years. The ones for younger kids feature black characters, and the ones for older kids and teens address racial injustice directly.
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America
Book for adults raising or educating kids by Jennifer Harvey
Information about the book and how to order it here. This book “offers age-appropriate insights for teaching children how to address racism when they encounter it and tackles tough questions about how to help white kids be mindful of racial relations while understanding their own identity and the role they can play for justice…Ideal for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about and cares for children.”
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Book for teens by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.
Reynolds, currently the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, remixes and distills Kendi’s National Book Award-winning book, “Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” for teen readers. It has become a best seller and a book that teens say they relate to and want to discuss! Locally, Four Rivers Charter Public School used Stamped for an opt-in book club recently.
This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work (link to Goodreads options for buying it)
Book for older kids and teens by Tiffany Jewell, a Western MA author
The book is designed to equip young people with the tools they need to be actively antiracist. Interview with the author here. This book has become very popular with families, kids, and teens.
Anti-Racist Book List
A list of books about race, racism, and white privilege with options for adults, teens, older kids, and young children from Brain Lair Books, a black- female- owned independent shop that is “dedicated to developing empathy and building a community centered around the discussion of inclusive books.” You can order online directly from here!
Also, you can contact your local, independent bookstores and they will order books for you! Most have curbside pickup or will ship to you. Let us know if you have another place to add in Franklin County or the North Quabbin.
World Eye Bookshop, Greenfield
Federal Street Books, Greenfield
Roundabout Books, Greenfield
Boswell’s Books, Shelburne Falls
Montague Book Mill, Montague
Don’t forget your local library! Libraries are in the process of re-opening and you can order library books online through the Western Mass Library System, CWMARS. It’s free and so awesome.
A few movies and TV shows to start conversations:
“The Hate U Give” (2018) – Based on the young adult novel of the same name, about how a Black high school student responds during the months after she sees her close friend, another Black teen, shot and killed by a white police officer.
“When They See Us”(Netflix series) – about the false convictions of the “Central Park 5” for a terrible crime they did not commit. Based on a true story.
“Hidden Figures” (2016) Also good for younger audiences and celebrating achievement. About Black women who worked as “human calculators” doing math for NASA that helped to send astronauts safely into space.
“42” (2013) Film about baseball player Jackie Robinson. (praised as inspirational, criticized for not being hard hitting)
“Self-made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” (Netflix series) – “An African American washerwoman rises from poverty to build a beauty empire and become the first female self-made millionaire. Based on a true story.”
“The Grace Lee Project” (2005) Grace Lee, the director and filmmaker travels the country interviewing other women who share her name to see how they fit or defy stereotypes of Asian-American women.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) For younger audiences – the first major superhero movie starring an Afro-Latino actor.
Spelling the Dream (2020) is a (Netflix) documentary “that spotlights four kids at the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee, the country’s most prestigious spelling competition.” The film does not specifically tackle racial justice issues but highlights and celebrates children of color, many of whom are South Asian, and their families.
22 Best Movies Celebrating Latinx And Hispanic Culture To Watch In 2021 “Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month—and every month!—with a movie marathon.” BY CLARIBEL RIVAS for Women’s Health Magazine (Online), August 2021
Comedian W. Kamau Bell uses humor, his personal experience growing up Black, and a social justice lens to discuss race and racism in TV shows, podcasts, books, and other media. His website has his latest offerings.
Learning More About Microaggressions
this post on our website offers a brief introduction to microaggressions, and links to resources for learning more from the CTC Racial Justice Workgroup and other sources.
Empowering Educators Digital Series – free resources designed to support educators in helping their students engage in effective, courageous conversations about race and social justice. Created in response to educator needs, the Empowering Educators series includes a guidebook, instructional videos, and other pedagogic resources informed by leading anti-bias and antiracism experts: Britt Hawthorne, Tiffany Jewell, Liz Kleinrock, Cornelius Minor, Catherine Wigginton Greene, and Christine Platt. Also has lots of great info for parents, caregivers, and others who work with children and youth.
7-Day Bias Cleanse from MTV’s Look Different sends an email every day for seven days with daily activities that help users to work on their biases. When you sign up, you can choose to work on racial bias, anti-LGBTQ bias, or gender bias (or all three).
Other resources from EmbraceRace, including webinars, articles, and action guides.
Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) has many resources for educators and others interested in discussing race, including lesson plans, curricula, articles, and more.
We Are Teachers has resources for educators on a variety of topics, including White Teachers Need to See Color. Here’s Why. and How Teachers Are Talking with Students About George Floyd, Protests, and Racism.
Coalitions in our region that work to promote youth health, prevent youth substance use, and support families are collaborating so we can reach more people! One of our current collaborations focuses on supporting parents and caregivers about child and youth screen time, social media use, and related mental health concerns.
Thanks to our partners at the Greenfield 4SC Coalition, North Quabbin Community Coalition (their Facebook page); Northampton Prevention Coalition (their Facebook page); Easthampton Healthy Youth Coalition (their Facebook page); SPIFFY Coalition (their Facebook page); and the South Hadley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition.
1) Check out Children and Screens, the Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. They work to help children and youth live healthy lives in a digital world. Their website has a variety of tips and information for parents, caregivers, and other adults who care about young people.
2) Research-based 16 minute video Screen Time Effects On Children (including How To Create Screen Time Rules) by Pediatrician and mom Dr. Mona Amin, with a focus on young children, scientific research on screen time, and what you can do. (2021)
3) Organization: The Center for Humane Technology An independent nonprofit organization whose aim is “to drive a comprehensive shift toward humane technology by changing the way technologists think about their work and how they build products.” They also help people figure out how to be more engaged in their life offline, balance their relationship with technology, and make sure that technology use is in line with their values. Ever wonder how to:
– block notifications to reduce distractions?
– reduce the blue light on your phone for better sleep?
– block robocalls?
Check out their Take Control page for tips and apps to try!
Check out Center for Humane Technology’s Youth Toolkit and page for parents and students, with links to videos, PDF handouts, and additional resources!
4) Article: At Your Wits’ End With A Screen-Obsessed Kid? Read This. This article addresses the complexity of this issue. It focuses on how hard it can be to get kids and teens off screens and how common it is for parents to struggle with this issue. It also touches upon related emotional and mental health issues and includes tips to shift the dynamic in the home, including encouragement to work on the overall relationship, not just monitor and restrict use. Highlights a family with children ages 5, 11, and 14, so whether you are concerned about young children, tweens, or teenagers, this article will probably have something relevant for you!
Intro video on media literacy and five key questions to ask when watching media, with a focus on the importance of media literacy for children and youth:
1) National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE)’s Parents’ Guide to Media Literacy, is available in English, Spanish, and Greek. The guide offers lots of practical tips for talking with children and teens about advertising, how to spot fake news, and other skills for how to analyze media.
2) The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan, education nonprofit, has resources for youth, educators and the adult community members to learn and share skills needed for news literacy. Their site is full of engaging ways to learn.
3) Media Literacy Now uses research and data to inform and drive policy change at local, state, and national levels in the U.S. to ensure all K-12 students are taught media literacy so that they become confident and competent media consumers and creators.
1) Article: From 1st Phones To Online Porn: Answers To Your Screen Time Questions. 4 questions with answers about when to get a child a first phone (and how to ease into it), how to help children handle cyberbullying, encouragement to talk with children about online porn and how to balance homework and screen time. Also has a link to a radio story if you prefer to listen instead of read!
2) Online Resource: You may have heard about the “Wait until 8th” movement. Some families find it very useful to wait until 8th grade or a similar age – and we know it’s a personal decision. You will know what is right for your family, based on your family’s needs and your kids. This site has some interesting info that you might find useful to consider.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Common Sense Media both have fillable templates you can use to create your own family’s media plan. By creating a Family Media Plan, families can think about their media use and create goals and rules that are in line with their values. Creating the plan with your family lets your teens be involved in creating the rules and gives them ownership and empowerment as well.
Family Media Plan from American Academy of Pediatrics
Family media agreement from Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media has hand-picked lists for quality entertainment and tech. E.g. Reviews for shows and movies, Reference and Research Apps and Websites, Best Apps for Kids by age ranges, etc. You can also browse trending parenting articles and videos, or find advice by age range.
1) Book: How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen: Whining, Fighting, Meltdowns, Defiance, and Other Challenges of Childhood (The How To Talk Series) by Joanna Faber, Julie King. This book was recommended by colleagues and parents who say the book is more empathetic to the child’s perspective than the title may seem!
2) Resource Page: The Child Mind Institute‘s page on Screen Time & Technology has info for parents and caregivers about mental health impacts of screen time and what you can do.
3) The Screenagers Movie Blog has several posts on mental health, most of which connect in some way to screen time or technology.
4) Online Organization: Families for Depression Awareness has online resources and offers webinars on youth and adult mental health (not only depression).
5) Videos by Dr. Clifford Sussman, Child Psychiatrist and (Video) Gamer. He personally enjoys video games and also sees the possibility for addiction among his patients. We haven’t watched all the videos, but the couple that we saw had well-informed, accessible advice for parents and caregivers.
1) Online (and print) Guide: Netcetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online. With sections for talking with kids, tweens, and teens.
2) Youth and Online Polarization and Radicalization: FAQ and Tips for Parents is a page on the website for Children and Screens that has specific info about this concerning trend and what parents and caregivers can do.
3) Online safety education program: Netsmartz provides age-appropriate videos and activities “to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.”
4) Organization: Protect Young Eyes has resources to protect kids from inappropriate content online. They have advice on parental controls, an app, and they speak in schools and churches. Some of their messages are faith-based.
5) Parental Controls: While we recommend prioritizing talking with kids, being aware of what they are doing online, and teaching them skills for online safety, some parents also find parental controls useful.
Parental Controls for every digital device from Protect Young Eyes
Parental controls for specific apps, devices, and gaming consoles from Common Sense Media
6) Phones designed for Kids – without internet access: In the last few years, several companies have started offering phones designed for kids and teens that do not have access to the internet and include additional safety features. We don’t have a favorite, but here are a few possibilities to check out:
Getting kids more involved in meal prep requires adult supervision, but it can be fun – and it’s great family time. Also, kids’ excitement about getting to do new things in the kitchen can be contagious.
Check out the ideas below about how to include and engage kids and youth, from toddlers to teens.
Toddlers can:
Preschoolers can:
Elementary school age kids:
At this point, they can peel potatoes and other veggies, make salads, and more. Now is a great time to give them some opportunity for creativity (like designing a salad or making a dish look pretty on the plate) or using baking a learning device.
Use baking to really understand fractions! There is a big difference between adding a fraction in a math problem and using fractions in baking. The practical application can help kids learn the concepts more thoroughly.
How to do it:
Use cookie baking to solve problems and learn simple geometry. Once the dough is rolled out, ask your child to try to figure out which placement of cookie cutters gets you the most cookies at once.
Teens
A (somewhat similar) comprehensive list of activities by age (mostly for kids, not teens) from the BBC, including recipes to try for each age group. British terms are a little different, but that can be fun for kids to look up too! (Courgette is zucchini and aubergine is eggplant!)
An NPR article on how to engage kids in helping with cooking and other chores in a way that inspires them to want to be involved and helpful throughout their childhood.
Talking with family and friends can feel tricky during election years. There have been quite a few recent articles about the challenges of navigating relationships with loved ones who have different political, social, or religious views. Some people worry about arguments if they try to talk openly, while others prefer to steer clear of divisive topics to keep the peace—or they’re simply tired of politics.
Here are some easy-to-skim tips and resources to help reduce stress and strengthen connections—while staying true to yourself. Feel free to share these with anyone who might find them helpful!
You can decide how much you engage in conversations about politics or other sensitive topics.
Do you prefer to focus on subjects that might lead to less conflict, or are you hoping for a deeper conversation? Although you can’t predict what topics others will bring up, it can be helpful to think ahead about how much you want to discuss potentially tense issues during a particular gathering or with certain people. Having a few strategies in mind for navigating loaded conversations—or shifting the focus to something else—can help things go more smoothly.
Things to Do Before the Conversation
Clarify Your Goal. Think about what you want to achieve—whether it’s understanding the other person’s perspective, sharing your own, or finding common ground. Approaching the discussion as an opportunity to connect or learn, rather than to “win,” helps keep things respectful and strengthens relationships.
If You Feel Strongly About the Subject:
Consider an alternative approach to debating. It’s natural to feel the urge to debate when you care deeply about a topic. Interestingly, research shows that debates rarely change minds. People are more likely to be open to new ideas when they feel heard and respected. Approaching the conversation with curiosity rather than confrontation can make a big difference. Learn more: Want to persuade an opponent? Try listening. Take a Moment to Ground Yourself. Pausing before or during the conversation to reduce emotional tension can help you stay calm, open, and less defensive. Here are five quick grounding techniques from the American Psychological Association that are backed by science. Research Thoughtfully. If you plan to share information, make sure it’s factual and comes from trusted sources. Keep in mind, though, that people with opposing views may not see the same sources as credible. As noted above about the research on listening versus debating, it is often more effective to focus on understanding each other’s experiences than to rely on “facts.” Having an Ally Can Help. If you’re worried about others being harsh about your beliefs or identity—like your gender or sexual orientation—having an ally can be helpful. This could be a family member or a friend you bring along if that’s welcome. Before the gathering, talk about how they can support you—joining the conversation, offering a supportive look, or being there for emotional support afterward. If an in-person ally isn’t possible, checking in with someone after the event can still provide comfort.
Things to Do During the Conversation Start with Shared Values: Find common ground to build trust and connection. For example, “We both care about creating a better future for our kids.” Listen Actively: Let them explain their beliefs without interrupting. Repeat back key points to show you’ve understood. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage them to elaborate on their views. Examples: “What led you to this perspective?” or “How do you see this affecting people in our community?” Avoid Loaded Language: Use neutral terms to avoid triggering defensiveness. For example, you could say “policy” instead of “agenda.” Use “I” Statements: Frame your perspective with phrases like, “I feel…” or “I’ve noticed…” instead of “You…” statements, which can sound accusatory. Acknowledge Valid Points: Respectfully agree where possible, to show you’re doing your best to stay open. Focus on Solutions: Discuss practical ideas or actions rather than dwelling on differences.
If Things Get Heated Pause and Redirect: If emotions rise, you can take a breather or shift to a less contentious aspect of the topic. Express genuine caring despite differences: It’s okay to conclude that you see things differently and still respect each other and care about each other.
After the Conversation Reflect and Learn: Consider what you learned about their perspective and what might improve future discussions. Stay Open to Dialogue: If it feels healthy for you, keep the door open for future conversations, even if this one was tough.
Set Boundaries Ahead of Time: If certain topics are known to cause conflict, it can be helpful to agree as a family to steer clear of them. For example, “Let’s focus on celebrating and save political debates for another time.” Redirect with Humor or Gratitude: If a tense topic arises, shift the focus to a positive or light-hearted subject. For example, “That’s a big question! But first, can we talk about how great this pie is?” Set Boundaries in the Moment: If you haven’t had a chance to talk ahead of time about avoiding certain topics, you can let others know in the moment that you prefer to focus on connecting as a family. You can’t control what other people say, but you have choices about how you respond. E.g. “I’d rather focus on being together than topics that can lead to arguments.” If someone continues to push you to talk, you can let them know you need to end the conversation, or go use the bathroom, help with dishes, talk with someone else, etc.
Whatever Happens, Be Kind to Yourself.
Although these types of tips can be helpful for many people, they may not work for you or your family. Whatever happens, give yourself credit for trying to maintain relationships while being authentic. It can be hard work! We hope that this is a helpful place to start.
Interested in how receptive you are to viewpoints different from your own?
Take an anonymous survey, designed by researchers at Harvard and other research universities, and see your results. Can you “talk the talk?” This tool allows you to type or paste in a (real or imagined) message to someone you disagree with, and the tool will provide a score to tell you how receptive your message is likely to sound.
Living Room Conversations (LRC) is an organization that “connects people within communities and across differences through dialogue to build trust and understanding.” They have guides and models for hosting facilitated conversations in public or private settings, and they also have educational materials for improving informal conversations that align with the tips we shared in this article. Their newest guide is about listening.
5 Tips for Talking Across Differences and Disagreements
Intergroup Dialogue Training Center Co-Directors Jazmin Pichardo and Carlton Green offer Guidance for Productive Conversations in Polarized Times.
14 Minute Radio story from the NPR series, Seeking Common Ground: Have a politically divided family? These tips help you talk across the dinner table.
On Take Back Day, community members are encouraged to bring their expired or unwanted medications and drop them off, no questions asked.
Some departments have permanent drop boxes, and some are open just for Take Back Day.
Locally, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the Opioid Task Force, and other organizations – including youth health and youth substance use prevention coalitions like ours – promote and support local efforts. Over 74,000 pounds have been collected since 2011!
Here is a great post from 2024 by Those Nerdy Girls about National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day, the thing we all need to do before bringing meds to drop off locations. It reminds us about how to make sure we find all the meds in the house, and it also includes the “flush list,” the list of the medications that are OK to flush down the toilet.
Some medication drop boxes don’t accept liquids, and most don’t accept needles/sharps. Police department drop boxes generally can’t accept either one.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield has two disposal bins, one for medications (including up to 4 ounces of liquid in sealed containers) and sharps (in sharps containers). There are also disposal bins at CVS and Walgreens in Greenfield. This webpage has more information about where to go locally and what is allowed.
Although it’s often better for the environment to use a drop box location, you can also do it safely at home. The FDA recommends these steps for disposing of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in pills, liquids, drops, patches, and creams:
Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
The majority of misused prescription drugs in this country are obtained from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet. Every year, unused or expired prescription medications lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, overdoses, and suicides. Medications can also pollute drinking water sources and soil when they are flushed down the toilet or put in the trash.
Talk and connect with youth about drugs and alcohol:
The Talk. They Hear You. campaign is free and includes tips and app to practice talking with kids and teens about alcohol and drugs.
How to Connect with Your Teenager to Prevent Drug Use from The Partnership to End Addiction – concrete tips on staying involved and talking with youth.
Learn and talk with youth about the risks of fentanyl, which is being added to fake pills and other drugs:
Drop the F*Bomb is a campaign to help parents and caregivers talk with youth about the risks of fentanyl, including fake pills.
There are many ways to help prevent misuse, addiction, and overdose. Here are a few:
When you are prescribed pain medicine after a surgery or medical procedure and think you won’t use all of it, you can request a smaller amount of medication – either a lower dose or fewer pills. If you are not sure, you can talk with the medical provider prescribing about the options.
Lock up your medications and any other drugs, including cannabis. Lock boxes are available online and locally at Home Depot, the Turners Falls Aubuchon, and other locations. Locking up drugs can protect people and also pets.
Keep track of what you have, so you notice if anything is missing.
Clearly label medications and other drugs so they aren’t taken (or eaten) accidentally.
If you think a person of any age or a pet has consumed medication that is not theirs or may have consumed too much, call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222 or call 911.
Talk with kids and youth about drugs and alcohol, including prescription and over-the-counter medication, fake pills, cannabis, and nicotine. See the yellow box above with great resources for learning about the issues and protecting the young people you care about.
Sources: SAMHSA, NIDA, The Northwestern DA’s Office, the FDA, and listed resources.
During the last few years, the number of young people and pets in need of emergency care after ingesting cannabis products has increased dramatically. Access to opioids and other prescription meds continues to be a risk for young people. Thank you for checking out this page!
Cannabis products, edibles, and medications can be locked up in a variety of containers. You may already have something in your home that you can use! Lockable filing cabinets and safes can be used for products that don’t need to be refrigerated. Smaller medication lock boxes are available that may fit in smaller spaces, including the fridge.
Here are few places in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region that told us they carry medication lock boxes, small safes, or other lockable containers:
You can also call a local hardware store or pharmacy to see if they carry they type of lockable storage you want.
And, of course, there are a wide variety available online.
Thank you for helping to protect kids, youth, and pets!
Our coalition does this by learning what works and helping our community put those solutions into practice through collaboration on events, policies, educational programs, and resources for youth, families, schools throughout the Franklin County and North Quabbin region.
Risk factors are things that make negative health outcomes more likely — such as developing a disease, being injured, or starting to use alcohol or other drugs at a young age.
Protective factors do the opposite. They lower the chance of negative outcomes and help support strong mental and physical health. Most health issues involve a mix of both.
Here are a couple of examples:
Some risk and protective factors are even surprising once you learn more. Explore them here.
Adolescence is a time of rapid brain development. Alcohol and other drugs can interrupt this process in ways that may affect physical and mental health, learning, and well-being into adulthood. Early and frequent use increases the risk of future problems. If you’re concerned about a young person who is already using substances, strong, reliable support and information can make a big difference.
Research is clear: effective prevention is a community and societal issue, not something that is up to one child or teen. Everyone has a role to play. Families, schools, and caring adults make a real difference in young people’s lives. And at the same time, lasting prevention works best when it also happens on a community and societal level, because the world around young people shapes their choices and opportunities every day.
Young people grow up within systems: families, schools, neighborhoods, online spaces, and communities. These environments have a powerful influence on their health. Community-level strategies matter because they shape:
When communities work together—creating healthier norms, limiting youth access, supporting families and schools, and building positive opportunities—prevention becomes stronger and more effective. This combined approach is what helps young people stay healthy today and gives them a solid foundation for the future.
Youth substance use prevention is the science of protecting young people’s health by strengthening the community around them. This includes:
But prevention is even more than that. Most public health prevention efforts work by supporting overall health and well-being, not just avoiding problems. Strong prevention leads to happier, healthier, more connected young people, and stronger communities for everyone!
The Communities That Care Coalition released the results of its 23nd annual Regional Student Health Survey on Wednesday, October 15th.
This year, nearly 1,400 students participated, representing over two-thirds of all 8th, 10th, and 12th graders across the region’s nine public school districts. Since 2003, the survey has been a cornerstone for understanding local youth experiences around substance use, mental health, and the pressures young people face.
Substance Use at Historic Lows
Drug and alcohol use among local youth has dropped dramatically over the past two decades and continues to decline—reaching the lowest levels since the survey began.
Growing Concerns About Bias-Based Bullying
More students report seeing or experiencing teasing and harassment based on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. While troubling, this trend may also reflect increased awareness and willingness to name discriminatory behavior.
The Impact of Screen Time
Youth are spending more time on screens than ever. High screen use is strongly linked to poorer mental health, less physical activity and sleep, and reduced connection with caring adults.
Alarming numbers of students also report exposure to harmful online content, including extremism, hate speech, and pornography. Over one-in-four local youth say they’ve been shown pornography at school against their will, often as early as elementary school.
A Glimmer of Hope in Youth Mental Health
Mental health continues to be one of the community’s top concerns. Rates of depression and anxiety remain high, but for the first time since 2012, one of our most-reliable indicators – the Prevention Needs Assessment Depressive Symptoms Risk Factor – showed a slight downturn in symptoms. This may signal that efforts by schools, the state, and local organizations are beginning to make a difference.
CTC offers a variety of tools and resources for families, schools, and community partners on topics including mental health, sex education, and navigating life online.
Explore these at:
👉 www.communitiesthatcarecoalition.com/resources
The full 2025 Student Health Survey report and summary presentation will be available starting October 15th at:
👉 www.communitiesthatcarecoalition.com/surveys
For more information or requests for additional analysis, contact:
Nick Hathaway, Evaluation Coordinator
Communities That Care Coalition / Franklin Regional Council of Governments
nhathaway@frcog.org | ☎️ 413-774-1194 x207
