Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coalition?

A coalition is a like-minded group of people and/or organizations that join together to work towards a shared goal or solve a specific problem. They share priorities and values and work collaboratively. 

For more terms and definitions that our coalition uses, take a look at our glossary of terms.

Who can join Jeffco CTC?

Anyone who lives, works, learns, and plays in Jefferson County, and who is passionate about youth health, safety, and wellness is welcome to join the coalition. We bring together both youth and adult voices in our work. Youth who participate get compensated for their time and expertise. 

What/Who is Jeffco CTC?

Jefferson County Communities That Care, or Jeffco CTC, is a coalition working in partnership with youth to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. Youth and adults collaborate to create systemic change: reviewing data, identifying issues, and brainstorming local solutions to identified problems throughout the community.

Jeffco CTC’s prevention work is supported through donations and grant funding.  Thank you to our supporters!  

Jeffco CTC is fiscally sponsored by the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. 

To learn more about us, click here.

What does Jeffco CTC do?

Jeffco CTC is a coalition of youth and adults working together to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. We collaborate on reviewing data, identifying issues, and brainstorming local solutions to identified problems throughout the community. We aim to proactively work toward community change through policy and advocacy work. Our current focus areas are preventing substance use (focusing on alcohol and cannabis), supporting mental well-being, and increasing safety and connection. 

We work together at Coalition and Session meetings, most of which are held virtually. Meetings can include activities like: planning for data collection events (Youth Town Hall), reviewing data, prioritizing actions, drafting communications, and planning advocacy efforts.

How do I get involved with Jeffco CTC?

There are many ways to get involved with Jeffco CTC! You can sign up to get our newsletters, you can attend Coalition meetings every other month, and/or you can join a specific Coalition Session (or two!) to plan and implement work in our focus areas. Check out a meeting. There’s no permanent commitment and it’s a great way to meet other change-makers in your community. 

Email info@jeffcoctc.care to learn more. 

How do I get calendar invites for coalition meetings?

Email us at info@jeffcoctc.care!

I heard youth get paid for their work with the coalition.  How does it work?

Jeffco CTC recognizes, uplifts, and values youth voice and expertise. There are multiple ways youth can be compensated for their work with Jeffco CTC. Youth are paid a stipend for joining and attending meetings for one or more of our project-based sessions.

The schedule for payment depends on the session, but generally youth are compensated for each meeting they attend. 

Additionally, youth are thanked for their time participating in one off events, like the annual Youth Town Hall, by receiving a gift card. 

What is the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS)?

The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS)  is an optional participation survey given to 6-12th graders in Colorado. It is the state’s most comprehensive survey on the health and well-being of young people. The survey is voluntary, anonymous, and happens during the school day every two years in the fall.

In Jefferson County, HKCS helps schools, community programs, and leaders see what’s going well and where more support might be needed. HKCS results help ensure resources are put towards successful efforts and not wasted on projects or programs that may not work within the Jefferson County community. 

For more information about HKCS, including survey questions and results by year, please explore the links below:

• Healthy Kids Colorado Survey – Jeffco Public Schools 
• Healthy Kids Colorado Survey – Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

What is the Youth Town Hall (YTH)?

The Youth Town Hall (YTH) is an annual data-gathering event that helps to inform Jeffco CTC’s work. Put on for youth, by youth, the Youth Town Hall Planning Team works together, with adult support, to determine topics important to Jefferson County youth. 

The YTH is about youth having a say in what happens in Jefferson County. It gives youth a space to speak on important issues, to gather real input from other youth, and to use the gathered information to create visible change in our community as part of Jeffco CTC’s efforts. 

Typically, the YTH includes a mix of small group discussion and survey questions, and youth participants receive a gift card as thank you for their time. 

How can I/my organization get involved in the Building Allyship and Diversity in Jeffco (BADJ) project?

Currently, the BADJ project is supporting existing partners and exploring next steps for the future of the project. At this time, we are not on-boarding new partner organizations and do not currently have any training sessions scheduled. To learn more about the BADJ project, click here.

What is prevention?

Prevention involves proactive actions to improve health and wellbeing. Prevention work addresses the root causes of an issue and aims to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors.

For more terms and definitions that our coalition uses, take a look at our glossary of terms.

What are risk factors and protective factors?

Protective factors are conditions or characteristics that reduce risk and increase one’s ability to cope.

Risk factors are conditions or characteristics more likely to result in harmful outcomes. 

For more terms and definitions that our coalition uses, take a look at our glossary of terms.

How much time do I need to commit to Jeffco CTC work/meetings?

This is up to you! You are more than welcome to participate in any and all ways that feel good to you. If you’d like to stay informed about what we are doing, take 10 minutes to read our newsletters each month. If you’d like to come to Coalition meetings, we’ll see you virtually for 90 minutes every other month. If you join a Coalition Session, you can expect around 10 – 12 hours of virtual meetings over several months, in addition to some possible outside work and coordination. 

How often does the coalition meet?

Coalition meetings are every other month. 

To see Jeffco CTC’s full calendar of meetings, click here.

I have a question that is not answered here. Who can I ask?

We’re here to help you out! Email us at info@JeffcoCTC.care!