Overview

The Risk & Protective Factors approach is based on a simple premise: To prevent a problem from happening, we need to identify the factors that increase the risk of that problem developing and then find ways to reduce the risk. At the same time, we must also identify those factors that buffer individuals from the risk factors present in their environments and then find ways to increase the protection.

Risk and Protective Factor-focused prevention is based on the work of J. David Hawkins, Ph.D., Richard F. Catalano, Ph.D. and a team of researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Communities That Care (CTC) is a violence and delinquency prevention program that provides communities with a process to mobilize the community, identify risk and protective factors, and develop a comprehensive prevention plan. CTC is a community empowerment strategy that emphasizes assessment and planning as the basis for program development and implementation.

Websites & Internet Resources

Elizabethtown Communities That Care: EACTC is a non-profit organization devoted to providing positive opportunities for children and teens in the Elizabethtown, PA area.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): A brach of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department who, since 2005, is the provider of information and resources concerning Communities That Care.

Communities That Care (CTC): This website is operated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

CSAP Core Measures Initiative: An online resource that connects Risks and Protective factors with data collection and program evaluation tools. Very easy to use. Operated by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD): The PCCD actively supports community-based prevention programs through Communities That Care (CTC) and other funding initiatives. In addition to many grant opportunities listed on this website, the website provides data and statistics useful to prevention program planners.

Social Development Research Group (SDRG): A University of Washington research group under the leadership of J. David Hawkins, Ph.D., and Richard F. Catalano, Ph.D.. SDRG's research seeks to promote achievement and success as well as prevent and treat health and behavior problems among young people. Drug abuse, delinquency, risky sexual behavior, violence, and school dropout are among the problems addressed.