The Communities that Care Coalition focuses on preventing youth drug and alcohol abuse and improving mental health in Lake County. Using an evidence-based model, the coalition works to build a healthy community in which all young people can be their best selves.
Why the Work Matters
Lake County youth substance use is consistently higher than the state average. For example, according to the most recent Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (administered to all Lake County High School students every two years):
- 35% of students had a drink of alcohol in the past 30 days (compared with a statewide average of 30%)
- 33% of youth used marijuana in the past 30 days (compared with a statewide average of 21%)
- 15% of youth reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (compared with a statewide average of 14%)
Recent milestone
The Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition created an implementation plan in January 2021. This plan guides our work to build community-wide, collaborative supports for parents and families and to increase support for–and access to–early childhood programming. Its goal is to decrease risk factors for the young people of Lake County and create a community where youth can thrive.
To join us
If you care about youth, families, substance abuse prevention, supporting mental health, and your community, your presence is welcome! Please reach out to Hannah Guilford, at hannah@lcbag.org for more information about upcoming meetings and other ways to get involved.
Lake County community members learn together at a Positive Youth Development workshop. 
LCBAG staff and Lake County community members learn about Positive Youth Development. Positive youth development is a strengths-based view of adolescence that helps youth gain knowledge and skills to become healthy adults.
