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Advocates urge Rowan County to fund youth action agency using Communities That Care model
Summary
Two public commenters asked the Board to fund a full-time coordinator to implement the Communities That Care prevention framework and form a local youth action agency. Speakers cited research claims (25% reduction in youth violence, >30% reduction in youth drug use, $6 return per $1 invested) and urged the county to coordinate local services.
During the public-comment period on May 19, two residents urged Rowan County commissioners to create and fund a youth action agency using the Communities That Care prevention model, asking the county to pay for a full-time coordinator to organize a coalition of local providers.
"I'm here to advocate for you all to address the needs of the youth in the community to create a youth action agency in Rowan County using the Communities That Care model," said Megan Mack, who told the commissioners the model "is shown to reduce youth violence by 25% [and] reduce youth drug use by over 30%, and has a $6 return on investment for every dollar that goes into its functioning."
Brandy Gardner Berg, the second commenter, repeated the request and described community support for a coordinator who would connect services, create youth leadership roles and help young people develop stronger ties to their communities. "It creates this root system that will bring the children more connection with their communities," Berg said, adding that the approach would both reduce harmful behavior and increase youth volunteerism and civic engagement.
Both speakers asked the board to fund a full-time coordinator to implement the universal, coalition-based prevention model locally. The comments were delivered during the public-comment period and no formal action by the board was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Ending
Speakers asked the commissioners to consider investing county funds to establish a local youth action agency and to use the Communities That Care framework; board members did not take formal action during the meeting.
