Three Rivers Public Health Department (3RPHD) along with local community partners are coming together to empower youth and families in Washington County using a process called Communities that Care (CTC). It is a community-based prevention system proven to reduce youth health and behavior problems community wide.
“We are excited to be part of this program and to have this available in Washington County,” said Terra Uhing, executive director of Three Rivers Public Health Department. “CTC is a model that organizes community members from all sectors and backgrounds to unite as a local coalition and use what we know works from science to build healthier communities.”
CTC guides communities through a proven five-phase change process. Using prevention science as its base, CTC promotes healthy youth development, improves youth outcomes, and reduces problem behaviors. This five-phase process also provides the community with a step-by-step guide and tools for building a high functioning community prevention coalition to achieve collective impact.
CTC coalition members participate in a series of joint trainings where all members learn and apply prevention science principles to guide the assessment, decision making, and program implementation process.
Not all communities are alike and may have different needs. CTC helps local coalitions develop community-specific prevention plans based on their unique levels of behavioral health problems and risk and protective factors.
The health department is looking for community members to join us that are interested in becoming a champion for youth by supporting our youth in leading happier and healthier lives. A Community Board Orientation will be held in a series of three, two-hour sessions at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair:
• Session 1 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9
• Session 2 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16
• Session 3 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23
Registration for this orientation is required. If you are interested in becoming a part of this important work or if you have questions, contact Coartney DiGiorgio at coartney@3rphd.org or 402-704-2246.
