The Catasauqua Communities That Care group met via Zoom March 18 to hear the results of the group’s recent coalition checkup. Members of the CTC filled out a survey a few months ago about the coalition to better see how the coalition works as a group.

Meghan Lynn Blevins, from Penn State EPISCenter, shared the 148-page report with the group and discussed areas of strength and where growth may be needed. EPIS stands for Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support.

The feedback summary includes information on aspects of the group such as coalition membership, leadership and roles, funding and sustainability, community awareness and support, coalition structure and program implementation and activities.

In preparation for this meeting, Blevins met with Denise Continenza, a Penn State Extension educator and one of the group’s coordinators, to discuss the report and identified areas of strength and growth for the group.

One of the areas of strength for the group was its teamwork.

“It’s a pandemic year,” Blevins noted. “The fact that you’re working as a coalition is a celebration.”

There was discussion of creating committees based on the coalition’s three major focus areas - prevention education, hunger and mental wellness.

“I think we’re ready for that step,” Continenza said.

Other areas of strength are the school support of the coalition, efficient meetings and using data-driven and step-by-step planning.

It was also discussed the coalition is increasing its agency diversity.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator.

She noted more are getting involved and the more the group meets, the more informed members will be.

“We’re a really great team,” Continenza agreed. “Lots of kudos for this team.”

One of the main priorities of the meeting March 18 was to narrow down the list of strengths and growth areas to create a more focused approach. The coalition voted to focus on community awareness and support, the connection from the coalition to the programming and the data-driven and step-by-step planning. The latter is a strength area the group does not want to lose.

“We want to stay the course with these priorities,” Continenza said.

She noted maintaining the evidence-based programming with consistency allows the data to build and the effectiveness of the programs to be seen.

The next step for the group is putting together an action plan of how to address these three priorities.

In other business, it was reported the Roughie Egg Hunt donation drive went well. Lois Reed, Catasauqua Area School District business supervisor and Catasauqua Community Cares Program organizer, reported 154 students and families were set to pick up their Easter-themed baskets with food, hygiene products, school supplies and more March 27 and 28.

This event was a partnership between CASD and Catasauqua Police Department.

“It’s been a constant flow of people dropping stuff off,” Police Chief Douglas Kish reported.

There were donation drop boxes at the police station.

It was also reported planning was underway for the Strengthening Families Program at CMS for families and children ages 10-14. This free, virtual, seven-week program runs Tuesday nights. The program began April 20.

Through this program, facilitated by Valley Youth House and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol, families will learn ways to protect children from substance abuse, coping skills for managing stress, ways to set boundaries and express feelings and effective communication strategies.

Families who take part will receive gift cards to local restaurants. An additional gift card will be given to families with perfect attendance.

“This program helps parents prepare for the teen years,” Continenza said.

“We’re looking forward to implementing the program,” noted Ashley Dallas, of Valley Youth House.

Dymond-Jones also reported on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at CMS. The group’s latest project is creating images or phrases, either digitally or a hard copy, intended to make someone smile.

According to Dymond-Jones, these images will be put on display in the school to cheer up their CMS classmates and staff members. Dymond-Jones showed one of her favorite images, prominently featuring the phrase, “Don’t give up. Eat pancakes.”

The artist succeeded the goal of bringing cheer as everyone in the meeting couldn’t help but smile.

Dymond-Jones reported a Catasauqua CTC website is in the works. She also mentioned creating brochures with more information about the group to share with community members or anyone interested in joining.

The group, previously named the Catasauqua PAYS Committee, officially changed its name to the Catasauqua CTC Feb. 20, 2020.

“At that time, we adopted a mission statement: to work collaboratively creating positive youth and responsible community members,” reported Dymond-Jones. “And we wrote a vision statement: a community where youth are healthy, productive, responsible and contributing members.”

According to Continenza, Communities That Care coalitions are formed to get to the root cause of problems using evidence-based programming and using a more focused approach over longer periods of time.