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January 2025
Jeffco CTC Update
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Hello Jeffco CTC Coalition,
Welcome to 2025! We are excited to have you with us, whether you are reading this newsletter, plan to come to coalition and workgroup meetings, donate your time in another way, or all of the above. Keep reading for many ways to get involved with Jeffco CTC in 2025.
| January Coalition Meeting | Our first Coalition meeting of 2025 will be on Thursday, January 23, 2025. This will be a virtual meeting. Previously, Coalition meetings were called Community Board meetings. We have shifted to calling our meetings "Coalition meetings" intentionally to limit confusion. However you may be involved with Jeffco CTC, we want you to know you are a valued Coalition member and are always welcome to attend any Coalition meetings. | Calendar invites for Jeffco CTC's 2025 meetings were sent on Thursday, December 19th. If you would like to be added and/or removed from any workgroups, please let us know. If you did not receive a calendar invite you were expecting, please reach out so we can help you troubleshoot. | |
As we discussed at all workgroup meetings held in December (Apologies to the Data and Evaluation workgroup as we did not meet in December.), we are restructuring our workgroups beginning in 2025. We are very excited for this restructuring as it will allow our workgroups to better coordinate with each other and our coalition to be more responsive. Due to both the restructuring as well as how the holidays are falling this year, we will have our first 2025 workgroup meetings beginning in February.
The workgroups moving forward will be as follows:
- BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup
- Data & Evaluation Workgroup
- Jeffco Teens Workgroup
- Policy & Advocacy Workgroup
- Recruitment & Community Engagement Workgroup
If you have been part of the SEL and Health Education workgroup and/or the Policy and Substance Availability workgroup, you have automatically been added to our Policy and Advocacy workgroup. If you have been part of the Out for Safe Spaces workgroup, you have automatically been added to our BADJ Project Ad Hoc workgroup. If you have been part of the Community Impact workgroup, you have automatically been added to our Recruitment and Community Engagement workgroup.
Please reach out if you would like to be added and/or removed from any workgroup calendar invites/communications.
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We are preparing for the 2025 Youth Town Hall and still have spots available for youth to join the Promotion Team. The Youth Town Hall Promotion Team will help promote the Youth Town Hall as well as help coordinate and facilitate during the event.
If you know of Jefferson County youth who may be interested in participating in this paid opportunity, please share this information with them! We would love to have them join the Youth Town Hall Promotion Team!
If you have any questions, please email Nadia (nadiac@jeffcoctc.care).
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Thank you all for all that you do for youth in Jeffco!
- Jeffco CTC Team
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The Jeffco CTC Coalition (Community Board) is made up of community members, community leaders, youth, workgroup members, etc. Anyone who lives, plays, works, prays, goes to school in, or cares about Jefferson County is welcome to attend Coalition meetings. | |
Coalition (Community Board)
Coalition meetings may include updates from workgroups, trainings, strategic planning, discussion and decision making, and all things related to Jeffco CTC.
The Coalition meets on the fourth Thursday of the following months from 4 - 5:30 PM.
- January
- April
- June
- August
- October
- December (The December meeting will be earlier in the month to account for the holidays.)
Save the date for the January Coalition meeting on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 4 - 5:30 PM on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Coalition
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Jeffco CTC’s Executive Committee is composed of each of the chairs of the coalition’s workgroups as well as co-chairs of the Committee. The Executive Committee provides leadership to the coalition, meeting monthly to discuss key issues and helping to develop agendas for the Coalition meetings. | |
Executive Committee
December Update
- Discussed details of workgroup restructuring.
- Jeffco CTC will be sharing updated meeting times for the new workgroups.
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Jeffco CTC was asked to join the Colorado Coalition for Common Sense Health Care. Please let Sasha know if you have additional information and/or thoughts (sashah@jeffcoctc.care).
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Discussed the upcoming Positive Voice Initiative meeting on January 14th from 9:00am - 10:30am. Please let Sasha know if you would like attend. (sashah@jeffcoctc.care).
The Executive Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The January Executive Committee Meeting is Wednesday, January 15th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
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The BADJ Project Ad Hoc workgroup is currently focused on the Building Allyship and Diversity in Jeffco (BADJ) project. The BADJ project is based on “Out for Safe Schools,” a national initiative run by the LA LGBT Center, that supports adults who work with youth so they can be visibly identified as trusted adults to LGBTQ+ youth. The BADJ Project expands on this idea to offer additional training and to include creating adult support for BIPOC and multiracial youth. The workgroup is exploring sustainability for this project, including identifying funding and next steps. | |
BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup
December Update
- This workgroup was previously called the Out for Safe Spaces Workgroup.
- Discussed transition to new coalition structure, ways to support badge holders, and where to go in the future as a workgroup.
- Applauded Lisa Long as an amazing notetaker!
The BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM. There is no workgroup meeting in January 2025.
The February BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup Meeting is Tuesday, February 4th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup
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The Data & Evaluation workgroup reviews youth surveys as well as public data, including the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, to help Jeffco CTC select the coalition’s priorities. The workgroup also monitors changes in community-level outcomes over time and is developing an evaluation plan to assess Jeffco CTC’s processes and outcomes. | |
Data & Evaluation Workgroup
December Update
- The Data & Evaluation workgroup did not meet in December and will reconvene in February 2025.
The Data & Evaluation Workgroup meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM. There is no workgroup meeting in January 2025.
The February Data & Evaluation Workgroup is Wednesday, February 5th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Data & Evaluation Workgroup
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The Jeffco Teens workgroup allows youth (aged 11 - 22) to work with each other to identify projects and community issues focused on improving health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. The workgroup allows youth to learn about coalition work and how they can work in partnership with other Jeffco CTC coalition members to impact the community. | |
Jeffco Teens Workgroup
December Update
- Reviewed the proposed updated Jeffco CTC focus areas.
The Jeffco Teens Workgroup meets on the first Thursday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM. There is no workgroup meeting in January 2025.
The February Jeffco Teens Workgroup is Thursday, February 6th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email NadiaC@JeffcoCTC.care and Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Jeffco Teens Workgroup
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The goal of the Policy & Advocacy workgroup is to address the policies behind the systems affecting youth health and well-being in Jefferson County. This workgroup also includes the work of The SEL and Health Education workgroup who works closely with Jeffco Public Schools to analyze youth surveys and public data to review, revise, and implement equitable health education standards for all Jefferson County high schoolers. The workgroup is also exploring how to communicate the importance of comprehensive health education to the broader community. | |
Policy & Advocacy Workgroup
December Update
- This workgroup was previously two separate workgroups: the Policy workgroup and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Health Education workgroup. In 2025, these workgroups will merge and collaborate as one.
- In December, the Policy workgroup:
- Reviewed a municipal meeting tracking tool draft from Eric and discussed new CTC workgroup structure, foci and timeline.
- In December, the SEL & Health Education workgroup:
- Reviewed the proposed new workgroups for 2025, confirmed the new values, and discussed what we want to bring forward to the new Policy and Advocacy Workgroup from this SEL and Health Education Workgroup.
- Emphasized that the benefits of "trusted adults" is something that can and should be promoted across the new structure.
- Concluded that we will not lose the communicating and illuminating the concept of health education, it will just be done through more cohesive mechanisms.
The Policy & Advocacy Workgroup meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM. There is no workgroup meeting in January 2025.
The February Policy & Advocacy Workgroup meeting is Wednesday, February 12th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Policy & Advocacy Workgroup
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The Recruitment & Community Engagement workgroup supports the efforts of the Jeffco Teens Workgroup as well as youth engagement throughout the coalition. The workgroup also uplifts meaningful opportunities for youth available throughout the Jefferson County community, and is exploring its role in broader community outreach, recruitment, and relationship building for the coalition. | |
Recruitment & Community Engagement Workgroup
December Update
- This workgroup was previously called the Community Impact workgroup.
- Created an action plan -- to begin in January -- to get word out about this workgroup and Jeffco CTC to community members in Alameda and Lakewood High School.
- Reviewed the plan, identified additional contacts to connect with next year.
- Prepared to ask coalition members to assist with outreach events in 2025.
- The workgroup is excited about the new workgroup structure.
The Recruitment & Community Engagement Workgroup meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM. There is no workgroup meeting in January 2025.
The February Recruitment & Community Engagement Workgroup is Thursday, February 11th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Recruitment & Community Engagement Workgroup
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According to participants at the 2024 Youth Town Hall, Jefferson County teens cope with difficulties by listening to music, doing something artistic/creative, and talking to friends in person.
Seeking support for coping with difficulties is a sign of strength. If you, your teen, or someone you know is in immediate crisis text “TALK” to 38255 or call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) to be connected to a mental health professional at Colorado Crisis Services to talk over anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance misuse, or other issues.
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Adults cannot control teen friendships, but they can be role models for positive, respectful relationships, and they can talk with teens about healthy friendships.
You can also open the door for them to talk to you about it with questions like:
- What do you find hardest about friendships?
- What makes somebody a good friend?
Learn more at: jeffcoctc.care/twelve-talks/friends/
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The Colorado Office of Children, Youth & Families is offering Positive Youth Development training this winter and spring. Positive Youth Development is a strengths-based view of adolescence. This approach focuses on helping youth acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults.
- Positive youth development guides communities and organizations in how they organize services, opportunities and support to engage youth in reaching their full potential.
- Positive youth development incorporates the development of skills, opportunities and authentic relationships into programs, practices and policies.
All trainings are virtual. Dates for trainings include:
- Jan 13, 2025- 11-1:30 pm
- Feb 10, 2025- 11-1:30 pm
- Mar 3, 2025- 11-1:30 pm
- Apr 19, 2025 Saturday 9-12 pm
- Apr 21, 2025 11-1:30 pm
- May 5, 2025- 11-1:30 pm
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Now more than ever, smart shoppers are looking for ways to stretch every dollar. In these uncertain economic times, we all face hard choices as we plan for special occasions, holiday gifts, and charitable giving. With iGive.com, you don’t have to choose between buying something or sending a donation to Jefferson County Communities That Care. Now you can buy the things you need, save money with exclusive iGive coupons and deals, and feel good knowing that a portion of each purchase benefits our organization.
Start iGiving at: www.iGive.com/JeffersonCountyCommunitiesThatCare
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Emily Merewether
Coalition Manager
she/her
Nadia Crowley
Youth Engagement Coordinator
she/her
Sasha Hutchings
Executive Director
she/her
General Information
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Jefferson County Communities That Care's mission is -- in partnership with youth -- to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. | |
About this Newsletter
This monthly newsletter, created by Jeffco CTC staff, is distributed to our coalition's mailing list which anyone can subscribe or unsubscribe to at any time. If you have a suggestion for an item to include in the newsletter, please email us.
Tips:
- View this newsletter as a webpage by clicking the link at the top or here: View as Webpage
- Unsubscribe or change your contact information using the links at the end.
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This project was created by the Jefferson County Communities That Care (Jeffco CTC) coalition, a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Jeffco CTC is funded through a Coalitions Organizing for Prevention grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and a Drug-Free Communities grant from the Centers for Disease Control. The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the grant providers. | | | | |
