At AC3, we have chosen to based our program and vision on the University of Washington Center for Communities That Care (CTC) model. CTC coaches communities across the country through an evidence-based, prevention science process that reduces levels of youth problems and helps them thrive.

How It Works

5 Phases of CTC

5 Phases of CTC

Communities That Care guides communities through a proven five-phase change process. Using prevention science as its base, CTC promotes healthy youth development, improves youth outcomes, and reduces problem behaviors.

Prevention Process

CTC helps communities prevent problems before they develop. Many see dramatic reductions in levels of youth alcohol & tobacco use and crime & violence.

The CTC process begins with a youth survey to identify a community’s risks and strengths. Based on these data, CTC helps communities select and implement tested & effective prevention programs and policies. CTC also helps amplify programs already working.

CTC’s Social Development Strategy is employed throughout, to foster positive youth development…» Learn more

5 Phases of CTC

Communities That Care is an ongoing process. When communities follow the phases below, their young people flourish.

  1. Get Started

    Communities get ready to introduce CTC. They work behind the scenes to:

    • Activate a small group of catalysts
    • Assess how ready the community is to begin the process.
    • Identify key community leaders to champion the process.
    • Invite diverse stakeholders to get involved.

  2. Get Organized

    Communities form a board or work within an existing coalition. After recruiting community board members, they:

    • Learn about prevention science.
    • Write a vision statement.
    • Organize workgroups.
    • Develop a timeline for installing CTC.

  3. Develop a Community Profile

    Communities assess community risks and strengths—and identify existing resources. The community board and workgroups:

    • Review data from the community’s youth survey.
    • Identify priority risk and protective factors that predict targeted health and behavior problems.
    • Assess community resources that address these factors.
    • Identify gaps to be filled in existing resources.

  4. Create a Community Action Plan

    The community board creates a plan for prevention work in their community, to:

    • Reduce widespread risks and strengthen protection.
    • Define clear, measurable outcomes using assessment data.
    • Select and expand tested and effective policies and programs using the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development website.

  5. Implement & Evaluate

    In this final phase, communities:

    • Implement selected programs and policies.
    • Monitor and evaluate them.
    • Measure results and track progress to ensure improvements are achieved.