At the April 19 Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting, Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, proudly showed off the CTC’s new banners.

Pastor Brian Riedy, of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, and the church council had been working for a while on getting these banners created. There was discussion earlier on hanging banners throughout the borough. For now, there are three banners, which will hang at each of the district’s schools - Sheckler Elementary School, CMS and Catasauqua High School.

Denise Continenza, Penn State Extension educator and one of the group’s coordinators, noted the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance is also making a banner for the group.

The Catasauqua CTC recently submitted to be part of an upcoming CTC conference series for CPA. Even though the group wasn’t chosen for the conferences, CPA will still create a banner for the Catasauqua group. Continenza reported the banner will have a PA Start theme.

Group members also took the next steps in completing the CTC’s brochure. At earlier meetings, it was discussed making a brochure of the group’s programs and efforts to help increase awareness in the community.

Wendy Texter, with the Center for Humanistic Change, is a graphic designer and created a first draft mock-up.

The group took some time to discuss changes and additions to the brochure, such as adding specific programs for each of the group’s priorities including Catasauqua Community Cares Program, Strengthening Families Program and the SAP program.

At an earlier meeting, it was discussed holding a community event to help increase awareness about the group. A committee was formed to start planning the event.

It was mentioned to have marketing materials with the CTC logo, such as magnets, chip clips and reusable grocery bags. Continenza is looking into pricing.

Other ideas for the event included food trucks, student clubs, having student musical groups performing, other live music, face painting and more.

In other business, Continenza discussed the Pennsylvania Youth Survey. This survey is taken by students every two years to help the district and groups like the CTC identify risk and protective factors. This information allows the district to plan programs to best help the students.

The PAYS report will be released by the end of April. CTC group members will then begin to analyze the data, which is separated into five chapters: alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and access; perceptions and attitudes; social and emotional health; anti-social behaviors; and community and school climate and safety.

This is Catasauqua Area School District’s fourth time implementing the survey, which will allow the group to look at trends over time.

Lois Reed, retiring CASD business supervisor and C3P organizer, noted they were able to distribute baskets of food to district families over the spring break weekend.

Through an anonymous donor and other sources, they were able to distribute hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more for Easter dinner. The C3P group also had eggs, cheese, margarine, fresh fruit, boxes of cereal, bags of candy and more. Reed noted there was also a cart with personal care items, such as shampoo, sanitary napkins and more.

“It’s just so great to get the donations when you reach out,” Reed said. “The process works out well.”

The next CTC meeting is set for 2:45 p.m. May 17 at the CASD administration building.