CACTC Project Updates Spring 2023
2023 Youth Survey Data Insights
The most recent Cortland County Youth Survey reveals that substance use among teens is at an all-time low since the survey's inception in 2002. However, the data also highlights ongoing health disparities and mental health challenges among vulnerable populations, such as LGBTQ+ teens, female youth, and BIPOC youth. These data offer a valuable opportunity to address health disparities and support targeted interventions for at-risk youth.
The big picture: The CACTC Underage Drinking Prevention Project, funded by SAMHSA, has achieved all of its target objectives in reducing teen drinking, binge drinking, and correcting social norms.
Moving Forward: The full disparity report will be released in March 2023
Dive deeper: In 2020, CACTC Data and Epidemiology Team launched an interactive dashboard for the county youth survey data and has since updated to now hold 4 years of data. The dashboard can be utilized by organizations and agencies to drive prevention and public health interventions at the local level, using local data.
Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County
CACTC has developed a new action plan for the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County, outlining five strategies to improve literacy and address disparities, informed by a 2022 needs assessment.
New role: CACTC was contracted to manage the coalition in 2022.
New plan: CACTC has developed a new action plan for the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County, outlining five strategies to improve literacy and address disparities.
The big picture: The action plan aims to tackle literacy challenges and create a brighter future for Onondaga County's children.
Cortland Literacy Coalition
The Hello Cortland website, aimed at young parents and families, has introduced new features to promote child-focused programs, services, and events. A browse-by-age function allows parents to filter resources by their child's age.
Focus: The Cortland Literacy Coalition is committed to improving literacy and addressing disparities in the Cortland area.
Projects: One of the key projects is the Hello Cortland website, designed to help young parents and families find resources and activities.
New feature: A browse-by-age function allows parents to filter resources by their child's age.
The big picture: The Cortland Literacy Coalition's initiatives, including the Hello Cortland website, empower parents and families to access valuable resources, supporting child development and well-being.
Healing Cortland Project
CACTC is collaborating with local service providers to execute 14 evidence-based strategies, funded by the NIH HEALing Communities Study through December 2023. The project also includes anti-stigma campaigns focusing on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) as a path to recovery.
Project focus: This community-engaged project aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths and improve services for people who use drugs in the Cortland Area.
Data-Driven Partnerships: The Opioid Task Force—over 50 community members representing a wide range of social and healthcare service providers—selected strategies based on best practices, research, and local data.
Sustainability: The Healing Cortland Team has been working with local providers and the county to try to find ways to keep up this work after the funding runs out. This includes looking at competitive grants, new partnerships, existing funds, and the opioid settlement funds.