Strengthening Communtities and Creating Lasting Results
The foundation of PCCD’s delinquency prevention strategy is based on the Communities That Care (CTC) model that prioritizes local leadership and decision-making.
The University of Colorado’s Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development (“Blueprints”), backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, identified CTC as one of 11 exceptionally effective youth programs. The criteria were CTC’s ability to prevent problem behavior among adolescents and to replicate its program to other communities with similar results. CTC’s approach—scientific, community-directed, collaborative, and long-term—emphasizes healthy environments for young people to discourage delinquency.
PCCD has long sponsored CTC’s proven model for mobilizing communities to prevent delinquency and violence. This model includes the following actions:
- Provide technical assistance and training to ensure that programs are implemented effectively;
- Forming local coalitions;
- Researching risk and protective factors;
- Supporting programs with proven results; and
- Reviewing results regularly.
PCCD channels support for CTC through the Pennsylvania State University Prevention Research Center. The Center provides such services as training, technical assistance, and development of community boards.
The CTC model has been demonstrated to reduce risky and delinquent behaviors. A longitudinal study of communities found that CTC youth had stronger bonds to their schools, families, and communities, and were less influenced by antisocial peers. In addition, communities reported nearly 11 percent less delinquency over a five-year period and more than 33 percent better academic achievement. For every dollar invested, CTC generates an estimated $5.30 in return.