Frequently Asked Questions About
Communities That Care®

WHAT IS THE THEORY BEHIND COMMUNITIES THAT CARE?
The Communities That Care model is based on Prevention Science - a theory of social development that aims to identify and reduce risk factors and problem behaviors among young people while simultaneously promoting protective factors that lead to productive, fulfilling lives. Just as we know that certain behaviors affect a person’s physical health, there are also factors that affect the likelihood that a child will grow into a healthy, productive adult.

IS PREVENTION SCIENCE SOMETHING NEW?
No. Provention Science is modeled after established public health initiatives that have been successful in preventing heart disease and smoking cessation. Prevention Science is a means of acquiring and understanding information about risk and protective factors present in a young person’s developmental environment and putting those findings work to prevent problem behaviors.

WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS?
Risk factors are elements in a young person’s environment that increase the likelihood of he or she engaging in problem behaviors. Some examples of risk factors are the availability of drugs and alcohol in the community, family conflict, academic failure, and antisocial behavior.

WHAT ARE PROTECTIVE FACTORS?
Protective factors are those factors in a young person’s environment that increase the likelihood that the young person will develop healthy, positive attitudes and behaviors. Examples of protective factors include intelligence, good social skills, family involvement, and positive messages that are communicated to youth by their family, school, and community.

WHAT ARE PROBLEM BEHAVIORS?
Problem behaviors are specific behaviors that can adversely affect a young person growing into a caring, healthy adult such as substance abuse, delinquency, unplanned pregnancy, school drop out and violence.

HOW DOES COMMUNITIES THAT CARE SUPPORT SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION?
CTC will support school transformation by reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors in school communities. As a result, problem behaviors that create barriers to student achievement will decrease and academic performance will increase.

HOW IS COMMUNITIES THAT CARE FUNDED -- GIVEN CURRENT BUDGET CUTS?
Seattle’s Communities That Care is funded by a Federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant. This grant funds all CTCare staff positions, team training and consultation, and associated supplies. No existing SPS funding is used to support the CTCare operating system and all Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant funding must be used to support activities specified in the grant.

IS COMMUNITIES THAT CARE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE WELLNESS PROJECT?
No. Communities That Care and Experience Wellness Project are separate, but complimentary Seattle Public Schools Initiatives. Both of these initiatives have a goal of decreasing student barriers to learning so as to increase academic achievement for all Seattle Public Schools’ students.