Communities That Care
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Communities That Care (CTC) is a substance-abuse community prevention system managed by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. CTC provides training and assessment materials that allow community stakeholders to prevent substance abuse in children between the ages of 10 and 14 through a variety of programs (Parents who Care, Guiding Good Choices, etc...). CTC's strategic prevention framework consists of five steps: (1) assessment, (2) capacity, (3) planning, (4) implementation, and (5) evaluation. It employs a Social Development Strategy for youths made up of five components: (1) opportunities for meaningful interaction with prosocial others; (2) skills to succeed; (3) recognition for effort, improvement, and achievement; (4) promotion of positive bonding; and (5) clear standards for behavior.
An important element of CTC's success is the assessment of the individual needs of the community in order to target its unique risk factors with appropriate programs. CTC involves families, children, and school administrators, requiring a substantial commitment from the community. Materials for CTC are free but the community is required to fund a CTC coordinator who will implement and train the community staff.
An important element of CTC's success is the assessment of the individual needs of the community in order to target its unique risk factors with appropriate programs. CTC involves families, children, and school administrators, requiring a substantial commitment from the community. Materials for CTC are free but the community is required to fund a CTC coordinator who will implement and train the community staff.
Goal / Mission
The goal of Communities That Care is to mobilize communities to prevent future substance abuse by reducing risk factors for children between the ages of 10 and 14.
Impact
Communities That Care reduces initiation of substance abuse behaviors in youth aged 10-14.
Results / Accomplishments
In the Community Youth Development Study, a randomized trial of CTC that took place over three years, communities that employed CTC (n=12) were found to significantly reduce drug use incidence and delinquent behavior (p=.03 and .00, respectively) over control communities (n=12). The study was conducted using assessments of 4,407 students from 24 small towns in 7 states. Students in the control group were found to be 60% more likely to drink alcohol and 41% more likely to engage in delinquent behavior (bringing a gun to school, engaging in fights, truancy, etc...). CTC has been implemented in the United States, U.K., Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Panel students from CTC communities were 25% less likely to have initiated delinquent behavior, 32% less likely to have initiated the use of alcohol, and 33% less likely to have initiated cigarette use than control community youths.
Panel students from CTC communities were 25% less likely to have initiated delinquent behavior, 32% less likely to have initiated the use of alcohol, and 33% less likely to have initiated cigarette use than control community youths.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Primary Contact
Kevin Haggerty
University of Washington,
Center for Communities That Care
9725 3rd Avenue NE, Suite 401
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 685-7723
haggerty@uw.edu
https://www.pmrts.samhsa.gov/pmrts/CommunitiesCare...
University of Washington,
Center for Communities That Care
9725 3rd Avenue NE, Suite 401
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 685-7723
haggerty@uw.edu
https://www.pmrts.samhsa.gov/pmrts/CommunitiesCare...
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Children's Health
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Children's Health
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Date of publication
2009
Date of implementation
2004
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Families