Universal Screening is important to our coalition because we can talk about what issues we think need to be addressed, but if we give students an anonymous survey we will have hard data on what areas need help. The more we know about what is happening in the community the more we can tailor our services to meet the needs of our youth.

CAST is diligent about reviewing research and information on substance misuse and mental health. We believe the more the community and especially parents know about these topics the more support we will be able to provide our youth and families.

Since the formation of CAST, one of our biggest and most consistent goals has been reducing alcohol and other drug misuse in our community. We believe this will help provide brighter futures for our youth and healthier dynamics in families. Without substance misuse our community will be a safer place for our kids to grow up and reach their full potential.

CAST is diligent about reviewing research and information on substance misuse and mental health. We believe the more the community and especially parents know about these topics the more support we will be able to provide our youth and families.

One of CAST’s biggest goals is to make sure the youth in our community are living up to their full potential. Recently some of our coalition members have gotten involved in a Juvenile Diversion Program, which is a way to keep our youth out of our justice system and instead helps them make reparations for what they have done. This teaches them the value of hard work and has a direct impact on their actions.

The CAST coalition knows that support comes in many different forms. We are aware that our group is just one piece of the prevention and recovery process for many, that is why we are trying to help in many different ways. Teaching kids about a variety of aspects that impact their daily lives, such as cooking, being organized, and managing emotions is just as important as teaching them the negative impact of misusing drugs. We are working to help them grow as a whole, not just in one area.

The CAST Coalition has made huge strides in this particular area by becoming a committee of The Boys and Girls Club. The BGC itself is a great place for young people to spend their free time in a healthy environment, but they have also given us a chance to incorporate programs of our own! In other areas though we are looking for activities to post on our resource list to keep the community updated.