We are a community that empowers our youth to be healthy, productive, resilient, and engaged.
The Coalition’s mission is to foster a collaborative environment that brings together youth, community members, parents, and key stakeholders to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors associated with youth substance use. Our ultimate goal is to support students in the Telluride School District in making healthier choices for themselves and their peers. By embracing the Communities that Care (CTC) approach, we empower youth to take the lead and actively engage in our community, ensuring their voices are heard and their well-being is prioritized.
A message from the co-founders:
The CTC Model
Communities That Care (CTC), an evidence-based program established at the University of Washington, is implemented in various rural and urban communities across the United States and worldwide. CTC’s foundation in prevention science helps create opportunities for youth to express their thoughts and concerns while promoting healthy development, enhancing outcomes, and minimizing problem behaviors. Through its widespread adoption, CTC demonstrates its commitment to fostering supportive environments where youth can thrive and reach their full potential.
The CTC program focuses on risk factors and protective factors, and on the engagement and development of youth.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is a norm, condition or idea that negatively impacts health outcomes for youth and increases the likelihood of youth engaging in risky behaviors. For example, the 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey shows that almost 70% of Telluride students report that they think it would be sort of or very easy to get alcohol in our community, while 55% report the same for marijuana. The overwhelming attitude among students at Telluride High School that alcohol and cannabis are easily accessible is a risk factor in our community, reinforced by the large number of local stores that sell these substances.
Protective Factor
A protective factor is the opposite of a risk factor in that it positively contributes to the well-being of youth in our community. The 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey found that 84% of Telluride High School students reported that they could ask a parent or guardian for help if they had a personal problem. The fact that so many students have an accessible adult figure in their lives may protect them from risky behaviors and improve their mental health and well-being.
To address these factors, the Coalition uses data to learn about the experiences of youth growing up in Telluride. The most recent data pool is the 2023 COFP survey results from April, which can be read in English and Spanish.
Every two years the Telluride School District participates in a statewide survey, the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. The survey asks students about adolescent substance use in our community, along with student attitudes and perceptions. The survey also asks about bullying, mental health, sexual health, and violence, among other topics. These results inform our work and help us create campaigns to promote healthy choices by working alongside Telluride’s youth.
You Can Be Involved!
Calling all Telluride students! The San Miguel CTC offers clubs at both Telluride High School and Telluride Middle School. If you’re interested in joining and making a difference in your community, please reach out to your high school principal or school counselor for more information.
We invite you to be a part of our mission to create a permanent youth space and raise funds for exciting, safe, and engaging youth-focused events. If you want to learn how your voice can impact our community positively, CTC is the perfect platform for you! Click here to learn more about our CTC youth clubs.
For parents and community members who share our passion for helping Telluride youth thrive, we encourage you to join the Communities that Care Coalition. Your involvement and support are invaluable in creating a brighter future for our young people.
The CTC’s efforts are made possible through generous funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment and the Centers for Disease Control. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our youth and our community as a whole.
To learn more about our past campaigns, click here.
For more information, please contact Dawn Katz, our CTC Manager, at 970-708-7096 or through email at d.katz@tchnetwork.org.
