During the June 21 Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting, Melissa Fausey, with Penn State EPISCenter, attended to discuss the group’s progress with the coalition checkup project.

The group had taken part in the coalition checkup, which provided 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.

After developing vision and mission plans, the group agreed to work on increasing awareness of the coalition’s activities. As part of this priority, the coalition has been working on developing a brochure, getting promotional materials made and attending local events. All of these factors will help inform the community about the coalition’s efforts in the district.

Fausey helped organize the group’s current efforts into an action plan with deadlines and specifics about who is responsible for pushing ahead on each goal.

Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, and Denise Continenza, Penn State Extension educator and CTC coordinator, mentioned they will work on getting the brochure finished. Wendy Texter, with the Center for Humanistic Change, is a graphic designer and has agreed to put together the brochure. The brochure is nearly complete.

Dymond-Jones noted the coalition is signed up to take part in the Catasauqua Borough National Night Out event, set for Aug. 2. This helped provide a concrete date to aim for having some of the physical materials ready. To allow for printing time, an early July deadline was set for having the brochure finalized.

It was also suggested having a QR code, so people attending the event could scan the code and be directed to the CTC’s webpage. The CTC page is included on the Catasauqua Area School District website.

It was noted the webpage could use an update as well with additional information and resources for families and students. It was reported Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling, assistant superintendent, is the contact for updating the website.

Continenza reported the group still has $2,000 it received as a coalition working with Penn State Extension to be used for communication efforts or to increase community awareness. These funds will be used to get promotional materials made.

Pastor Brian Riedy, of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, volunteered to take the lead on getting the materials ordered. He has an existing relationship with Nacci Printing and already got three banners printed for the CTC.

In addition to printing the brochures, the group discussed what other materials should be used as giveaways to attract people at events. It was discussed using functional items that people will be able to use. Options included magnetic chip clips, pens, lip balm, stress balls, calming strips and hand sanitizer.

Group members discussed wanting to include the CTC logo and possibly the website or QR code on items, as well as utilizing the CASD colors of brown and white as much as possible.

Final orders included 500 chip clips, 1,000 calming anxiety sensory stickers and 250 stress balls. It was noted the stress balls wouldn’t necessarily be used as a giveaway item but kept in various areas of the school, such as nurses’ and counselors’ offices where they may be needed or with the Strengthening Families program.

It was noted people are needed to attend the events to help spread the word. In addition to the Aug. 2 NNO event, Lois Reed, Catasauqua Communities Care Program coordinator, mentioned Hanover Township, Lehigh County, is holding a community night event Aug. 23.

Fausey commended the group on the proactive steps taken during the meeting to address its priorities. She asked how the group will keep attention on the activities.

Continenza noted keeping them on the agenda for each meeting will keep them in the forefront. Additionally, keeping to the decided-upon deadlines will help.

Fausey also asked how the group will measure the results and know if it is hitting the goal of increasing awareness.

It was suggested keeping track of how many people they talk to at the various community events as an informal record. It was also questioned if it would be possible to keep track of how many people are accessing the website.

The next meeting, planned for July 19, focused on the Pennsylvania Youth Survey data. 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 survey 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. Group members were asked to pick a chapter on which to focus.

Continenza asked the coalition members to choose three strengths and three challenges from their chapters to present to the group at the next meeting. These will be used to inform future programming to ensure the needs of the students are being met.