At the Feb. 15 Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting, members discussed the next steps for helping move the coalition forward.

The group had earlier taken part in a coalition checkup, which provided the group a 148-page feedback report detailing the group’s strengths and weaknesses. A second survey was taken to gauge how the group has changed and grown. As part of these efforts, the group originally chose to focus on developing a communication plan, including new and refined vision and mission statements. The coalition officially adopted new vision and mission statements at the meeting Jan. 18. This leaves the group freedom to move on to a new priority.

Denise Continenza, Penn State Extension educator and one of the group’s coordinators, suggested the group could work on gaining new members. She did note the feedback report indicated the number of actively engaged members increased over the past year, despite the number of members remaining the same.

Continenza suggested reaching out to community members or parents of students in the district to increase membership. She also recommended trying to get students to join the coalition to add a valuable youth perspective to the conversation. Ideally, she would like two high school and two middle school students.

It was noted the students who are most likely to engage with the group members are generally the busiest. Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, mentioned they would probably have to handpick students who would be able to attend the 2:45 p.m. meeting time.

Dalilah Jusino, a mental health therapist with Salisbury Behavioral Health, said she is working with students on engaging with the community, and this could be a good outlet. She said she would share the information with the students she works with.

In other business, Dymond-Jones thanked Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling, Catasauqua Area School District assistant superintendent, for adding a CTC page to the district website. The CTC page can be found under the Parents tab or at cattysd.org/Domain/754. The page includes the new vision and mission statements, as well as the CTC logo, designed by student Sevyn Jones. Group members were asked what else should be included on the page. Some suggestions included a list of group members and their organizations, photos of events, upcoming news items regarding the group’s focus areas and a list of the activities supported by the coalition.

Continenza reminded the members many of the coalitions that work with Penn State Extension received $2,000 toward working on a communication plan. She asked how the group wants to use the funds to connect with the community or raise awareness.

It was mentioned the group should have a brochure made detailing the efforts of the group that can be handed out at community events. Wendy Texter, with Center for Humanistic Change, volunteered her skills as a graphic designer. Brian Riedy, pastor of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, recommended using Nacci Printing for the printing services.

It was suggested the group also create a poster detailing some of the positive data points and influences from the coalition. These materials could be used at community events such as the Catasauqua StrEAT Fest, planned for April, and Hanover Township’s community night.

There was discussion about creating banners for the group. According to Dymond-Jones and Riedy, this has been in the works for a while, but they have had to wait until they hear back from the borough about size requirements and other details. It was suggested having four banners made - one for the Pine Street Bridge and one for each of the three school buildings. Riedy reported having funding for some banners, and the additional Penn State funding can be used to make up the difference.

Continenza also reported the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance is holding a contest for Prevention Week, May 8-14. The group is planning to hold small news conferences with coalitions around the state that week regarding “how having a coalition has helped the community.” The group agreed it would be a great opportunity for the coalition. Continenza also noted the organization agreed to pay for a billboard to raise awareness for the coalitions that agree to take part in the mini conferences. This billboard, suggested to be along Route 22, will help the group increase its public profile.

Also at the meeting, it was reported the district received the extended Life Skills training grant funds to continue the program for another three years at CMS and two years at Catasauqua High School. The grants were provided by University of Colorado Boulder Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence.

Riedy reported Holy Trinity will be hosting a summer arts camp, with Bel Canto Choir helping cover a majority of the costs. Additionally, music teachers from CASD and other school districts are discussing holding a summer music camp for a week at the church.

The next CTC meeting will focus on an interim report on the Pennsylvania Youth Survey data. This report is only 19 pages long and details specific data points. The full report is expected to arrive in the spring. Students took the PAYS in the fall of 2020.

This interim report presented data regarding substance use, mental health and suicide risk, school climate and safety, abuse and food scarcity, COVID-19 impacts and remote learning perceptions and experiences. Coalition members are encouraged to look at the report and compile some thoughts to be discussed at the next meeting.