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Deerfield board backs ‘Stronger Together’ community initiative to support student and family well-being
Summary
The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the Stronger Together Deerfield initiative, a communitywide effort led by District 109 and the Community Relations Commission to coordinate mental-health, resilience and youth engagement programs.
The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 15 to adopt a resolution supporting Stronger Together Deerfield, a communitywide initiative that grew out of District 109 discussions about student mental health and the impact of social media.
The resolution, Item 25‑77, asks local entities to both endorse the initiative and identify concrete, measurable actions they can take to support youth and families. The board approved the measure by roll call with all trustees voting yes.
The initiative originated in District 109 after last year’s community conversations and a book study on The Anxious Generation. Kathy Kedjian, District 109’s representative on the Community Relations Commission, told the board the panel and follow‑up “gallery walk” produced community recommendations for schools, police, fire, park district and library to coordinate services. “We all need to do this together,” Kedjian said.
Student commissioner Lexi Siegel described early work to promote outdoor activity and safe biking routes to reduce screen time. “We’re working on advertising bike routes and safe biking, wearing helmets, getting kids off their screens and outside,” Siegel said, noting the commission is co‑branding existing programs such as police department safe‑screen workshops with Stronger Together.
Board members and staff discussed broadening the initiative’s reach beyond youth to include veterans and other residents; the discussion repeatedly returned to coordination among existing programs rather than creation of an independent new agency. The staff liaison said the plan is for each entity to pass its own supporting resolution with “SMART” action steps—specific, measurable steps the entity will take.
The resolution does not appropriate new village funds; it asks agencies and organizations to identify actions they will take and suggests branding and outreach tactics such as decals for participating businesses and a shared communications blurb. District 109 previously passed a related resolution in August.
Trustees endorsed the resolution at the meeting after motion and second and a roll call vote that recorded unanimous approval. The board did not adopt specific new funding at the meeting; participating entities will return with their proposed action items and any requests for resources.
The Community Relations Commission and District 109 staff will continue outreach to local organizations, including the chamber of commerce and health providers, to enlist business participation and identify turnkey programs to amplify existing mental‑health and youth resilience services.
