Communities That Care program aims to aid local youths
WAYNESBURG — After receiving a planning grant from Penn State EPIScenter (The Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support Center), the Greene County Department of Human Services has been able to step into the planning phase of implementing a community-based program titled Communities That Care (CTC) that is geared to aid local youths.
Communities That Care is based around a coalition that works with a community board, which is comprised of many community leaders and representatives from local organizations. Members of the board range from members of the police force, employees from healthcare organizations, pastors, school representatives, and more.
The community board and CTC Mobilizer meet once a month to develop a community action plan, which aims to create positive change in the community by decreasing risk factors and increasing preventative measures for the youth and families. Ultimately, the goal of CTC is to create a safer community for the youth by reducing the accessibility and acceptability of underage drinking and drug use, while also educating the youth about becoming responsible adults.
Currently, Waynesburg is the only area where the CTC program has touched; however, CTC will be expanding to the Carmichaels area early next year.
Because CTC is still in the planning phase, Lori Gregan, CTC Mobilizer, explained that the main focus is to assess through school surveys and other means what issues are most relevant to local teens and children. Once these problems are identified, the community board is charged with the responsibility of selecting already existing programs or creating new programs aimed at addressing such problems.
Though assessments and program selections are still underway, major steps have already been taken to reach out to Waynesburg youths through monthly meetings. The meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at West Sides at 595 High Street in Waynesburg. The next youth meeting for the Waynesburg area will be held on Jan. 13.
The youth meetings are a means of creating an ongoing dialogue within the community as various problems that the youth face are open to discussion. People can share personal stories about things such as addiction and how it has affected their lives or the lives of loved ones.
“It’s not just for what we call ‘at-risk’ kids. Addiction can happen to anyone,” Gregan said. “The youth meetings will provide a safe and comfortable environment for the youth to open up about their experiences, while also raising awareness about issues within the community. The youth meetings are a call to the youth to get involved.”
Gregan said she hopes that families will likewise get involved by encouraging their children to attend the youth meetings.