Workgroups
Community Data Workgroup
The Community Data workgroup annually gathers community-level data on problem adolescent behaviors (substance abuse, suicide, delinquency, violence, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of school) and on the amount of risk and protection for the behaviors that exists in the Five Town Community. The workgroup then works together to analyze that data, and to prioritize a list of risk and protective factors that it recommends be targeted in the Board’s Community Action Plan.
Upon completion of its analysis the workgroup works with staff to create a report detailing its recommendations. You can download the lastest version of this Community Assessment Report here.
Members of this workgroup also inventory and assess existing programs in the community that address those risk and protective factors selected as priorities for action (based on the recommendations outlined in the Community Assessment Report). Workgroup members gather prevention programming data through surveys of area agencies, groups, and organizations that provide programming for the Five Town Community. The survey is used to confirm whether a resource addresses one or more of the Five Town Communities That Care priority risk or protective factors.
Additionally, the survey questions help work group members identify each resource’s goals and strategies, target population, evaluation history and evidence of effectiveness, and any gaps in, issues with, or barriers to service.
Upon completion of its analysis the workgroup creates a report detailing its recommendations. The report is then used by the Community Coalition to select tested, effective programs, policies, and practicies. The report is included in the Community Action Plan, which can be downloaded here.
Program Evaluation Workgroup
The Program Evaluation Workgroup works with community prevention program implementers to help them assess program fidelity, quality, and outcomes. The workgroup helps program staff and volunteers to collect data on prevention programs which address prioritized risk and protective factors for problem adolescent behaviors, and to analyze that data. The Program Evaluation Workgroup generates reports for each program studied and provides reports to help inform future decisions regarding prevention resources. You can download program reports here.
Coalition Maintenance Workgroup
The Coalition Maintenance Workgroup is tasked with building and sustaining a healthy and effective Community Coalition. Members of this workgroup generate draft operating procedures and by laws, develop new member orientation procedures, and suggest policies for the Board of Directors to consider. The workgroup also coordinates the recruitment of new members, works to maintain and increase Coalition diversity, coordinates team-building activities for the Coalition, and organizes celebrations of Coalition accomplishments.
Community Outreach and Public Relations Workgroup
Members of this workgroup involve stakeholders, promote the Communities That Care system, and educate and update the Coalition, stakeholders and the public about the work of the Community Coalition. The workgroup generates long-range plans for community education and outreach as well as public relations campaigns. Workgroup members solicit guest columns on topics related to healthy youth development, create press releases for Coalition-sponsored events, and release its reports. This workgroup also coordinates speaking engagements by Coalition representatives to local groups within the Five Town Community.
Funding Workgroup
The Funding workgroup manages the acquisition and use of public and private funds for Five Town Communities That Care. The funds are used for planning and for implementation and evaluation of the selected programs, policies, and practices. Members of this workgroup evaluate the funding needs of the Community Coalition, seek grants to provide funding, suggest fund-raising events, and solicit donations.
Youth Involvement Workgroup
Members of this workgroup recruit youths for involvement in Coalition activities, maintain a database of local youth organizations and clubs, and work with other groups to identify diverse roles for young people, skills and training needed by young people and for appropriate recognition. The workgroup also organizes social events for Five Town Area youths and hosts a group of Camden Hills Regional High School students interested in serving their community.
The Communities That Care system is a way for members of the community to work together to promote healthy youth development and to reduce youth problem behaviors, such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy, violence, dropping out of school, and delinquency. This system, developed by Dr. J. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard Catalano, is based on research that identified risk factors that predict youth problem behaviors, and protective factors that buffer children from risk and help them succeed in life.
A key goal of the Five Town Communities That Care effort is to identify the risk factors, protective factors, and behaviors that are prevalent in our community, and to implement tested and effective programs that address our community’s unique profile.
In order to acheive this and other goals, volunteer Coalition Members are divided into six standing workgroups and convene additional committees and subcommittees as necessary. These workgroups and their areas of focus are described to the right.