What is CTC?
· CTC is a comprehensive, research-based community mobilizing and planning process that provides a framework for communities to mobilize schools, families, community agencies and organizations, legislative representatives, local media, citizens and young people to create a community approach to prevention of dangerous behaviors. CTC provides a framework for communities to organize for the common goal of creating a safe, supportive environment for our young people, encouraging their healthy behaviors.
· It is nationally based model
· The CTC model is not designed nor intended to be a stand-alone organization – but rather a mobilizing force within the community, collaborating with existing community resources to address risk factors that are unique to the community it serves.
Our History
· The Phoenixville Communities That Care initiative began in March 1999 under the auspices of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol services, with funding and monitoring by the COAD Group.
· The County agreed to a three year implementation strategy that ended on December 31, 2002. Initially there were five CTC’s in Chester County – there are currently three with Phoenixville’s CTC being the oldest and most active.
· Realizing the importance of the Phoenixville CTC initiative, the borough of Phoenixville initially agreed to become the sponsoring organization and to assist with the continuation of the Communities That Care program. The Borough provided in-kind services along with fiduciary oversight.
· In June 2009 the Phoenixville Education Foundation became the fiduciary agent for Phoenixville Communities That Care.
April 2021, Phoenixville Communities That Care became a 501(c) 3
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS 2023.-2026In
In 2023 Phoenixville CTC adopted a new Strategic Plan utilizing an independent consultant. In developing the plan, it was clear PCTC’s programs and initiatives were strong and effective. This Strategic Plan addresses capacity-building and sustainability. A 3-year, strategic goal has been established for each area:
· Human Resources: Recruit additional work group members and hands-on volunteers to support Phoenixville Communities That Care’s mission
· Fund Raising: Ensure adequate financial resources are available annually to support Phoenixville Communities That Care's mission and programs
· Education: Improve and expand the provision of information and data about Phoenixville-area youth and youth resources to the general community
· Community /Outreach & Public Relations: Communicate Phoenixville Communities That Care 's mission and purpose clearly to the community using a variety of strategies; increase collaborations with community groups.
Phoenixville CTC has also recently adopted a Community Action Plan that identifies risk and protective factors.
The Priority Risk/Protective Factors were developed through the data from the Phoenixville PAYS survey – Pennsylvania Youth Survey. This survey is administered to every school district in the commonwealth every two years.
The following Risk Factors were identified:
· Low Perceived Risk of Drug Use
Young people who do not perceive drug use to be risky are far more likely to engage in drug use.
· Parental Attitudes Favorable Towards Problem Behavior
If parents are involved in one of the problem behaviors or are tolerant of the children’s involvement in such behaviors, children are much more likely to become involved in those problem behaviors.
Priority Protective Factor:
· Community Opportunities for Pro-social Involvement
Young people the experience of feeling valued and being seen as an asset. Students who feel recognized and rewarded by their community are less likely to engage in negative behaviors.
FATHER OF THE MONTH AND FATHER OF THE YEAR
Students from all the elementary schools in the area are given the opportunity to write an essay about why his or her father should be considered “Father of the Year”. From these essays, 12 fathers are chosen to be recognized at monthly Family Night Out programs.
Out of these, the Father of the Year is chosen and recognized at the Father’s Day Community Celebration. This program is offered in Collaboration with Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives.
FOUNDATION OF FATHERHOOD
This free twelve-week workshop utilizes a character-based curriculum to educate, support and counsel fathers from the Phoenixville community. The sessions utilize a lead discussion format with topics such as: dealing with anger, guilt and shame; living up to your values and character; developing close relationships with your children; breaking the cycle of family dysfunction; and dealing with separation and divorce. The goal of the program is to encourage fathers to become a strong and positive force within their families. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Recreation Department.
FAMILY NIGHT OUT
Parents and their children meet once a month for a planned social gathering providing various activities that encourages the participation of all family members to spend quality time together. The programs are designed to educate parents, strengthen family bonds, and prevent risky behaviors. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Recreation Department.
STRENGTHEN FAMILIES PROGRAM
The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is an evidence-based program developed by Iowa State University. This prevention program targets adolescents ages 10 to 14 and their caregivers. The parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum is delivered in seven weekly sessions and is offered as independent, concurrent learning sessions for parents and youth, followed by joint family sessions. The program has demonstrated effectiveness in increasing caregivers' ability to set appropriate limits and show affection and support to their youth and in promoting skills in youth, such as coping and peer pressure resistance. Research has also demonstrated long-term impacts on adolescent substance use, aggression, and academic performance.
SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM
This day camp for school district students ages seven to twelve is held for six weeks at the Reeves Park playgrounds. The program provides structured, supervised activities, a nutritious lunch, and educational programs for a minimum registration fee. The program was offered in collaboration with The Phoenixville Recreation Department.
STRUCTURED PLAYGROUND
As one of the “Promising Approaches” (programs that are proven by research to work), chosen by the Community Board to reduce early antisocial behavior and bullying, volunteers attend outdoor recesses at local grade schools, leading games with the children, providing an adult presence and encouraging cooperative play. This program is offered in collaboration with Technical College High School.
YOUTH INITIATIVE: TEENS AGAINST TOBACCO USE (T.A.T.U.)
Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) is a tobacco education program designed to help teens develop strong leadership skills while influencing younger children to live tobacco- free lifestyles. Middle and high school-aged youth are trained to: teach tobacco use prevention lessons to elementary/middle-school aged youth; discourage tobacco use among their peers; and advocate for changes in tobacco-related attitudes and policies in their communities. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville YMCA, and the Phoenixville Area School District.
Community Involvement
The Phoenixville CTC Advisory Board is comprised of community members from the public and private institutions including local government, education, health, law enforcement, local business and social service agencies.
Key leaders serving on the Advisory Board and involved in the creation of the Strategic Plan and Community Action Plan include:
Ann’s Heart
Bethel Baptist Church
Camp Hill Village Kimberton Hills
Chester County Drug & Alcohol Services
Chester County Health Department
Chester County Juvenile Probation Department
Compass Mark
Community First
Cornstone Club House
Don Coppedge Village
En Familia
Family Services of Chester County
Food Bank of Chester County
Grimes A. M. E. Church
Justice Works Youth Care
Nya Smile Foundation
Mayor’s Youth Council
Orion Communities
Open Hearth Inc.
Petro Community Housing
Penn State 4-H Program
Phoenixville Area School District
Phoenixville Area Transition
Phoenixville Home & School
Phoenixville Hospital- Tower Heath
PCEF Phoenixville Community Education Foundation
PCHF Phoenixville Community Health Foundation
Phoenixville Police Department
Phoenixville Public Libray
Phoenixville Town Watch
Phoenixville Renaissance Academy
Social Concerns Committee
Dolores Winston, Community Mobilizer, Phoenixville CTC
All of this is accomplished through the volunteer Community Advisory Board that meets monthly, and a pat-time Community Mobilizer in the person of Dolores Winston. Dolores has been the PCTC Mobilizer since its inception in 2000.
· CTC is a comprehensive, research-based community mobilizing and planning process that provides a framework for communities to mobilize schools, families, community agencies and organizations, legislative representatives, local media, citizens and young people to create a community approach to prevention of dangerous behaviors. CTC provides a framework for communities to organize for the common goal of creating a safe, supportive environment for our young people, encouraging their healthy behaviors.
· It is nationally based model
· The CTC model is not designed nor intended to be a stand-alone organization – but rather a mobilizing force within the community, collaborating with existing community resources to address risk factors that are unique to the community it serves.
Our History
· The Phoenixville Communities That Care initiative began in March 1999 under the auspices of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol services, with funding and monitoring by the COAD Group.
· The County agreed to a three year implementation strategy that ended on December 31, 2002. Initially there were five CTC’s in Chester County – there are currently three with Phoenixville’s CTC being the oldest and most active.
· Realizing the importance of the Phoenixville CTC initiative, the borough of Phoenixville initially agreed to become the sponsoring organization and to assist with the continuation of the Communities That Care program. The Borough provided in-kind services along with fiduciary oversight.
· In June 2009 the Phoenixville Education Foundation became the fiduciary agent for Phoenixville Communities That Care.
April 2021, Phoenixville Communities That Care became a 501(c) 3
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS 2023.-2026In
In 2023 Phoenixville CTC adopted a new Strategic Plan utilizing an independent consultant. In developing the plan, it was clear PCTC’s programs and initiatives were strong and effective. This Strategic Plan addresses capacity-building and sustainability. A 3-year, strategic goal has been established for each area:
· Human Resources: Recruit additional work group members and hands-on volunteers to support Phoenixville Communities That Care’s mission
· Fund Raising: Ensure adequate financial resources are available annually to support Phoenixville Communities That Care's mission and programs
· Education: Improve and expand the provision of information and data about Phoenixville-area youth and youth resources to the general community
· Community /Outreach & Public Relations: Communicate Phoenixville Communities That Care 's mission and purpose clearly to the community using a variety of strategies; increase collaborations with community groups.
Phoenixville CTC has also recently adopted a Community Action Plan that identifies risk and protective factors.
The Priority Risk/Protective Factors were developed through the data from the Phoenixville PAYS survey – Pennsylvania Youth Survey. This survey is administered to every school district in the commonwealth every two years.
The following Risk Factors were identified:
· Low Perceived Risk of Drug Use
Young people who do not perceive drug use to be risky are far more likely to engage in drug use.
· Parental Attitudes Favorable Towards Problem Behavior
If parents are involved in one of the problem behaviors or are tolerant of the children’s involvement in such behaviors, children are much more likely to become involved in those problem behaviors.
Priority Protective Factor:
· Community Opportunities for Pro-social Involvement
Young people the experience of feeling valued and being seen as an asset. Students who feel recognized and rewarded by their community are less likely to engage in negative behaviors.
FATHER OF THE MONTH AND FATHER OF THE YEAR
Students from all the elementary schools in the area are given the opportunity to write an essay about why his or her father should be considered “Father of the Year”. From these essays, 12 fathers are chosen to be recognized at monthly Family Night Out programs.
Out of these, the Father of the Year is chosen and recognized at the Father’s Day Community Celebration. This program is offered in Collaboration with Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives.
FOUNDATION OF FATHERHOOD
This free twelve-week workshop utilizes a character-based curriculum to educate, support and counsel fathers from the Phoenixville community. The sessions utilize a lead discussion format with topics such as: dealing with anger, guilt and shame; living up to your values and character; developing close relationships with your children; breaking the cycle of family dysfunction; and dealing with separation and divorce. The goal of the program is to encourage fathers to become a strong and positive force within their families. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Recreation Department.
FAMILY NIGHT OUT
Parents and their children meet once a month for a planned social gathering providing various activities that encourages the participation of all family members to spend quality time together. The programs are designed to educate parents, strengthen family bonds, and prevent risky behaviors. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Recreation Department.
STRENGTHEN FAMILIES PROGRAM
The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is an evidence-based program developed by Iowa State University. This prevention program targets adolescents ages 10 to 14 and their caregivers. The parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum is delivered in seven weekly sessions and is offered as independent, concurrent learning sessions for parents and youth, followed by joint family sessions. The program has demonstrated effectiveness in increasing caregivers' ability to set appropriate limits and show affection and support to their youth and in promoting skills in youth, such as coping and peer pressure resistance. Research has also demonstrated long-term impacts on adolescent substance use, aggression, and academic performance.
SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM
This day camp for school district students ages seven to twelve is held for six weeks at the Reeves Park playgrounds. The program provides structured, supervised activities, a nutritious lunch, and educational programs for a minimum registration fee. The program was offered in collaboration with The Phoenixville Recreation Department.
STRUCTURED PLAYGROUND
As one of the “Promising Approaches” (programs that are proven by research to work), chosen by the Community Board to reduce early antisocial behavior and bullying, volunteers attend outdoor recesses at local grade schools, leading games with the children, providing an adult presence and encouraging cooperative play. This program is offered in collaboration with Technical College High School.
YOUTH INITIATIVE: TEENS AGAINST TOBACCO USE (T.A.T.U.)
Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) is a tobacco education program designed to help teens develop strong leadership skills while influencing younger children to live tobacco- free lifestyles. Middle and high school-aged youth are trained to: teach tobacco use prevention lessons to elementary/middle-school aged youth; discourage tobacco use among their peers; and advocate for changes in tobacco-related attitudes and policies in their communities. This program is offered in collaboration with the Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville YMCA, and the Phoenixville Area School District.
Community Involvement
The Phoenixville CTC Advisory Board is comprised of community members from the public and private institutions including local government, education, health, law enforcement, local business and social service agencies.
Key leaders serving on the Advisory Board and involved in the creation of the Strategic Plan and Community Action Plan include:
Ann’s Heart
Bethel Baptist Church
Camp Hill Village Kimberton Hills
Chester County Drug & Alcohol Services
Chester County Health Department
Chester County Juvenile Probation Department
Compass Mark
Community First
Cornstone Club House
Don Coppedge Village
En Familia
Family Services of Chester County
Food Bank of Chester County
Grimes A. M. E. Church
Justice Works Youth Care
Nya Smile Foundation
Mayor’s Youth Council
Orion Communities
Open Hearth Inc.
Petro Community Housing
Penn State 4-H Program
Phoenixville Area School District
Phoenixville Area Transition
Phoenixville Home & School
Phoenixville Hospital- Tower Heath
PCEF Phoenixville Community Education Foundation
PCHF Phoenixville Community Health Foundation
Phoenixville Police Department
Phoenixville Public Libray
Phoenixville Town Watch
Phoenixville Renaissance Academy
Social Concerns Committee
Dolores Winston, Community Mobilizer, Phoenixville CTC
All of this is accomplished through the volunteer Community Advisory Board that meets monthly, and a pat-time Community Mobilizer in the person of Dolores Winston. Dolores has been the PCTC Mobilizer since its inception in 2000.