At the Feb. 18 Whitehall-Coplay Communities That Care meeting, members discussed the recent coalition checkup feedback summary.

The group members had earlier taken part in a coalition checkup, which provided them with 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. The first report was released Feb. 16, 2021, and the second feedback report was sent Dec. 23, 2021.

Following the first feedback report, the coalition focused on expanding leadership roles. The second feedback summary showed a strength increase in those areas.

One of the areas for growth as indicated by the recent report involved funding for operations and activities. Denise Continenza, CTC coordinator and Penn State Extension educator, noted all of the coalition’s programs are funded and questioned if the other coalition members know about that aspect of the group.

It was suggested the group hold presentations about each of the programs, including where the funding comes from, to increase awareness and understanding of all the programs within the group. Stephanie Dorney, with the Center for Humanistic Change, volunteered to present first on the Project Success program at the next CTC meeting.

The section of the report including teamwork, such as meeting efficiency, cohesion, inclusive decision-making and more, reflected a lot of strength.

“This is exciting,” Continenza said. “People think we work together well. I was excited to see this.”

Regarding coalition structure, there was one real area of growth identified - committee meetings. It was noted this makes sense as the group fairly recently solidified the committees and their co-chairs as part of the first priority it addressed.

It was suggested the group extend the CTC meetings by 15 minutes and use the beginning of the meetings for the committees to meet and prepare their reports. The coalition members thought that was a good idea.

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.

She suggested updating the CTC brochure, used to promote the group’s activities at school and community events. Continenza noted it has been approximately six years since it updated the brochure.

Members also proposed possibly getting yard signs made with some of the positive data points from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to help spread community awareness.

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.”

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. A billboard, it was noted, will help the group increase its public profile.

CTC members will consider if they are interested in being part of this initiative. The small conferences for this area are tentatively scheduled for May 10 or 11.

For the rest of the meeting, CTC members continued their discussion on the interim PAYS report. 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.

At this meeting, group members discussed food scarcity and substance use. According to the data, only a quarter or less of the students who took the survey reported they worried about running out of food. Even fewer reported skipping a meal for financial reasons. High numbers of students reported never having to skip a meal.

“Looks like we’re doing a good job meeting that need,” Continenza said.

Shari Noctor, president of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, reported the Whitehall numbers are similar to the overall Lehigh County numbers. However, she noted those number will be different now because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The discussion on substance use centered on student usage of marijuana. An increase in the use of marijuana edibles in the schools was reported, since it is harder to catch than with smoking.

Additionally, it was noted a number of students are reporting using marijuana to combat anxiety. They are self-medicating without knowledge of different strains and dosages. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more students are reporting higher rates of anxiety, worry and anger.

Students are also reporting they are hearing more about the medical benefits of marijuana than the risks from the public and their parents.

The PAYS interim report did note lower numbers of students reporting having experimented with cigarettes and prescription pain relievers.

The PAYS report discussion will continue at the next meeting, set for 8:30 a.m. March 18.