EACTC Case For Support

CASE FOR SUPPORT

A Letter From Our Director

Dear Friends,

As I reflect on all that the EACTC and our community has accomplished to support its children, youth, and families, I am humbled and amazed. It has been a great honor to work alongside such excellent community leaders from different sectors to promote the health and safety of our community, families, and children, empowering them to meet the challenges of life events and transitions

Twenty years ago, a group of committed citizens came together to support the well-being of Elizabethtown’s youth What started as a plan to create a community resource guide for families quickly grew into an organization focused on healthy youth development. Since our founding, EACTC has been providing young people with opportunities, skills and recognition which strengthens bonding with family, school and community. Strong bonds motivate young people and families to adopt healthy standards for behavior EACTC promotes the health and safety of our youth and empowers them to meet the challenges of life. The goal has been to create a comprehensive, community-wide approach to support children, teens, and families EACTC has done this by collaborating with many organizations, partners, and individuals to provide strategies that directly serve youth, programs that support families and parenting, and initiatives reducing substance use at no cost to participants

While our accomplishments are significant, there is still more work to be done I feel grateful to have worked alongside so many wonderful leaders, partners, and students in our efforts. Whatever role you have played in our mission, I thank you! I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years and beyond hold for our small but mighty non-profit. Please continue to join us on the journey!

Gail Viscome Executive Director, EACTC

HOW EACTC WORKS

EACTC supports children and families in Elizabethtown by using the Communities That Care model process developed by researchers at the University of Washington By balancing hope and concern, EACTC takes a comprehensive approach to understanding the causes of issues facing our community and developing effective strategies to address them EACTC has collaborated for the past twenty years with the Elizabethtown Area School District and the Penn State University Evidence Based Intervention and Support (EPIS) Project to administer the PA Youth Survey which helps us understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that our middle school and high school students have towards alcohol, drugs, and other concerning behaviors.

Most Significant Risk Factors in Elizabethtown

Low Commitment to School (56%):

Students are more likely to have stopped seeing being a student in a positive light

Most Significant Protective Factors in Elizabethtown Students have a belief in what is "right" and "wrong"

Students perception of the risks associated with drug and alcohol use is low, especially in binge use of these substances

Students experience unclear expectations for behavior

Perceived Risk of Drug Use (46%): Family Management (47%): Low Neighborhood Attachment (47%):

Students do not feel a sense of belonging and attachment in their neighborhoods and report changing homes multiple times in one year

Belief in the Moral Order Family Attachment Family Opportunities and Rewards for Prosocial Involvement:

Students feel that they are a valued part of their family Students have opportunities and rewards within their families for positive participation in activities, which helps youth bond to the community and lowers their risk for substance use

There is a clear association between these risk factors and unhealthy, risky behaviors. Similarly, there is an association between the protective factors and healthy youth development. Our programs are delivered directly to youth and families in Elizabethtown to target these risk areas and boost protective factors Community engagement is essential in addressing these issues to help keep our children healthy and safe EACTC partners with Elizabethtown Area School District, Civic Clubs, the local faith community, community businesses, Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol, Compass Mark, Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Centers for Disease Control, PA Liquor Control Board, parents and individuals We serve local families and the Elizabethtown Area School District by providing additional tools and supports to help our youth lead healthy, purposeful lives at no cost to participants EACTC initiatives and programs focus on community-based prevention, school-based programs and prevention, and community education

From 2021 Elizabethtown PA Youth Survey Data

EACTC Program Spotlights

MENTAL

HEALTH

AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MIA ROTH

Mia participated in one of EACTC's QPR trainings, a program designed to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives through suicide prevention training by empowering participants to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. "Knowing how to recognize the signs of a person contemplating suicide and learning how to refer that person for help can be life changing for all students. The QPR training gave me the tools to know what to say and do to recognize and help someone in need "

TURNAROUND RECOGNITION BREAKFAST ZOEY GUTIERREZ

Zoey is an Elizabethtown Area High School student who was nominated by her teachers and recognized at the annual Turnaround Recognition Breakfast, an event for students that have shown significant, positive improvements during the academic year. Zoey reflected that "the harder you work for something, the greater you'll feel when you achieve it" when describing her accomplishments this year.

CLUB OPHELIA MADDIE FANUS & AMIAH EISENHOWER

Amiah is a 5th grade student who participated in EACTC's Club Ophelia, a weekly after school club focused on helping students develop healthy relationship skills and learn successful ways of handling bullying. Amiah participated in Club Ophelia in both the Fall and Spring because she "learned a lot about friendship and avoiding drama" Amiah's mentor Maddie reflected that "Club O is such a great way to give young girl's confidence and problemsolving skills to lead them into an amazing and healthy life. It creates many friendships between the girls in the club."

PEP CLUB TRINITY HAMMOND

Trinity has been in PEP Club for two years at Bear Creek School. She loves PEP because she "gets to learn new things and to learn that making new friends isn't so bad I have made a lot of new friends in PEP" This club has been run since 1999 and has served over 1000 students. PEP students engage with Etown College mentors on fun activities designed to improve friendship skills and teach positive ways to express and understand emotions.

PAWS AND THINK CLUB

MAYA KENLEY

Maya Kenley has been involved in the PAWS and Think Club for three ye PAWS...And Think student leaders work to change school-wide misperce about student substance use and stigmas related to mental health needs through a school-wide positive social norms campaign. Students create posters, distribute t-shirts, distribute candy with social norms messages attend a student leadership conference. "I loved working with the eleme school children in the Plant the Promise program. I have learned a lot th PAWS...And Think about the importance of healthy choices and in devel leadership skills".

BIGS & LITTLES

EMMI DWORSAK & JENNA SPADE

Emmi and Jenna participated in the Bigs & Littles after-school program together in which trauma-informed facilitators help students develop important skills. EASD High School students have the opportunity to develop mentorship skills by serving as "Bigs" to students at Bainbridge Elem and East High Elem. Emmi says that "Bigs and Littles gave me something to look forward to every Monday. I loved getting to see my Little, Jenna, and bond with her. Jenna helped me realize that I want to become a teacher and continue to work with amazing kiddos like her. Jenna reflected that "Emmi was super nice and funny and I really liked making crafts with her. She also helped me through some tough feelings by helping me stay calm. Mondays were always good for me because of Bigs and Littles and getting to see my Big."

Cristian was recognized this year as part of the Do The Right Thing program. This program is in schools across the country and recognizes students that are making positive choices with a special focus on recognizing students that are not typically recognized. Consistent recognition for their efforts and accomplishments is a critical protective factor for young people. Cristian has a kind, generous spirit and helps his teachers by assisting ESL students throughout every school day. He has done tremendously well as a student himself this year Cristian will be recognized several times throughout the year at a School Board meeting, in the local newspaper, and at a Hershey Bears game.

partners within the community

"Kids go through a lot. I don't even think we understand all of the things that they go through - depression, peer pressure, alcohol and drug use. It's been a roller coaster ride as a parent to go through their journeys with them and try to be a parent, but set boundaries. To me, EACTC progams have made a difference."

- Beth, parent

PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK INITIATIVE

Keeping prescription medications safe and secure reduces substance abuse The prescription drug drop boxes at local police stations has been an excellent resource for citizens to safely dispose of unwanted prescription medication EACTC provides medication lock boxes to residents who need to keep their prescription medications safe and secure Over 842 lbs of medication was returned to Elizabethtown law enforcement in 2020-2021 Approximately 440 medication lock boxes have been distributed to families with highly misused medications in the home Over 3,591 pounds of medication have been collected since tracking began.

DIANA CHANDRA

ELIZABETHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELPERS

"Every kid is ONE caring adult away from being a success story. Many of our students simply need one-on-one adult support to help them become successful students! Some students do not have adults at home in the evening who can help them with assignments, organization, or studying The Homework Helpers partnership has turned struggling students into success stories Last year, the Homework Helpers worked with 7th grade students to help them with skills needed to be successful academically Every student who participated in the Homework Helpers program was at-risk of failing a course at the start of their participation, but by the end of the year, all of our students passed their classes and were promoted to 8th grade! Volunteers naturally developed close connections and built mentoring relationships with students through this process of helping them succeed Volunteers do not need to be an expert by any means in subject areas! EACTC was extremely helpful in recruiting volunteers, assisting them in completing the required district paperwork in order to be a volunteer, and even funding the necessary clearances, which are part of that paperwork. EAMS is looking forward to this school year where we can continue to grow and strengthen Homework Helpers, not only to increase our students' connections to the community, but also to promote their academic and personal success. " Homework Helper adult volunteers work with students to help identify what assignments they need to complete, organize and make a plan to complete work, study and prepare for tests and quizzes, work with students to complete assignments and projects together.

EACTC Financial Overview

Prior Years Funding Breakdown

Grant dollars have funded the majority of EACTC's programs over the past twenty years, however, federal grant funding for prevention has significantly decreased. Beginning In 2020, EACTC's funding no longer included the Drug Free Communities Grant as it came to a close after 15 years, which had accounted for 60% of the current operating budget.

Future Funding Needs

While grant funding is limited, the community needs are very real. The Elizabethtown community needs your support to ensure that these programs and initiatives remain and that prevention is a continued community priority.