OUR VISION . . .
is that Huntingdon County
will be a place where our children and youth are healthy, engaged, successful,
and prepared in life; families are strong; and communities are safe and
vibrant.
OUR MISSION . . .
is to build a better future
for the children, youth, and families of
Huntingdon County by working
together to support and implement science-based programs that reduce the
risks associated with substance abuse, mental illness, and family violence;
and enhance the assets and strengths of each person in the community.
HOW DID THE Families & Communities Together COLLABORATIVE
BEGIN?
Families and Communities
Together (Families & Communities Together) Collaborative of Huntingdon CountyŠthe CollaborativeŠwas
created when the Communities That Care Prevention and Families r First
Collaborative boards came together in 2002 to serve a common visionŠthat
our children and youth will be healthy, successful, and prepared for the
future; our families are strong and unified; and our communities are safe
and vibrant.
WHAT IS Families & Communities Together?
The Collaborative is a non-profit,
community-based, grass-roots organization consisting of concerned youth
and parents and organizations representing the school districts, local
government, law enforcement, faith communities, social service agencies,
and other community-based organizations, working together with the parents
of Huntingdon County to identify and implement solutions to our community
needs.
WHAT DOES Families & Communities Together DO?
The Collaborative works
throughout Huntingdon County to
provide science-based prevention
information, knowledge, and services; to strengthen the ability of county
residents and organizations to reduce risks associated with substance abuse,
mental illness and family violence; and to promote the positive qualities
of children, youth, and families in creating a better future.
We think big because we care
about the future of our community and believe firmly that together we can
help tompromote the people, ideas, and agencies throughout our county that
will help children and youth to be healthy, enable families to be strong,
and to make our communities safe and vital.
The Collaborative focuses
on:
COLLABORATION - We support
collaboration and coordination among the various organizations in the county
and with state agencies focused upon promoting children and youth, strong
families, and healthy communities.
SCIENCE-BASED PREVENTION
- We translate prevention science research on substance abuse, mental illness,
and family violence into language that everyone can understand and apply
this knowledge when identifying local needs and implementing effective
programs and services that improve the health, well-being, and safety of
our children, youth, families, and communities.
SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT - The
Collaborative works to increase the county™s capacity to expand, support
and sustain the application of effective prevention and intervention practices
by facilitating service coordination and integration, leveraging local,
state, and federal funding, and fostering the development of a seamless
system of care.
INFORMATION AND RESOURCE
SHARING - We work to increase access to and use of local community information
about the status of children, youth and families, available resources,
and outcomes of services and programs on the health, well-being, and safety
of children, youth, and families throughout the county to identify community
needs and the development of expanded services.
HOW DOES Families & Communities Together ACHIEVE
ITS VISION?
At the heart of the work
of the Collaborative is the implementation of "science-based prevention".
This is an approach to making changes at the individual, organizational,
and community level.
The "science" part of the
Collaborative™s work is to use the very best of "what works" based on rigorous
national evaluation research of programs demonstrated to be effective in
(1) making choices and changes in our lives; (2) becoming more resilient
and adaptive; (3) working collaboratively to use limited resources effectively,
and (4) establishing new policies and initiatives so that our families,
neighborhoods, and communities will be healthier, stronger, and safer.
This approach means that
we follow a process of strategic planning that focuses on integrating thoughtful
assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation into every activity,
service, and program associated with the Collaborative.
WHAT PROGRAMS DOES Families & Communities Together
OFFER?
FOR YOUNG CHILDREN -
-
The Nurse/Family Partnership
- support services for first-time mothers and their children.
-
Parent-Child Home Project -
early childhood literacy and parenting skills.
-
community planning
for quality child care and education.
FOR YOUTH -
-
Positive Action Program - a
school-based program for academic achievement.
FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
-
-
Family Service Liaison Program
- support to families navigating the human service system.
- Healthy Connections - a tobacco
cessation program using nicotine replacement and behavioral supports.
- Neighborhood Empowerment and
Training Project - a neighborhood training program in leadership and community
development.
- Clean the Air - prevention education
and community outreach to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke.
WHERE DOES Families & Communities Together GET ITS FUNDING?
The Collaborative is funded
through local, state, and federal grants to improve the lives of children,
youth, and families. We accept any kind of help individuals and organizations
can offer so that services can be widely available at no or low cost.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can get involved!
We need energetic, incan-dol,
people from all areas of our community, with all types of interests and
strengths to become involved in our work, services, and programs. Sit on
a committee, help coordinate a project, get others excited and involved
with children, youth, and families, or help plan our future. A little effort
from everyone goes a long way when we all work together.
The Collaborative meets bi-monthly
(January, March, May, July, September, and November) at the Days Inn,
Huntingdon, Rte 22 & Fourth Street. We invite you to attend
a meeting.
To get more information about
specific meetings or programs, or to share your ideas and suggestions,
contact the Families & Communities Together Collaborative Office at 814-599-5012 or e-mail us at
info@factcollaborative.org
SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT
There are various other events and activities in which you can get involved. Please call 814-599-5012 for specific ideas.
