Collaborating For Youth (CFY) is a federally designated Drug Free Communities Coalition, working to improve the outcomes for youth and their families.  Serving Adams County, Pennsylvania since 2001, CFY brings together schools, service providers, county and local government, clergy, parents, and youth to focus on preventing substance abuse and other adolescent problem behaviors such as delinquency, violence (including bullying), school drop-out (including truancy), teen pregnancy, and depression.  CFY members work to improve access to services by youth and their families through eliminating barriers and changing the 24/7 environment in which youth live, learn, and play.

Part of CFY’s effectiveness is the ability to engage multiple community partners in making positive changes based on local data and trends.  CFY, partners with schools and community service providers to deliver evidence-based prevention programs utilizing the Communities That Care model for change.  Programs include afterschool and out of school outdoor adventure programs, mentoring, afterschool academic tutoring, and programs that strengthen families, such as Functional Family Therapy (FFT),  Multisystemic Family Therapy (MST), and the Strengthening Families Program.

The Collaborative also partners with the community and law enforcement to limit youth’s access to alcohol and other drugs through activities such as “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaigns and prescription drug “Take Backs.”  CFY engages in multiple media campaigns (theater ads, billboards, radio spots, cable ads, print ads) using the concept of social norms marketing - using local data in messaging to reinforce the positive norm that “not everyone is doing it!”  These messages are seen by thousands of Adams County residents.

Collaborating For Youth has an active Youth Coalition that trains at the National Guard Counter Drug Demand Reduction facility in Fort Indiantown Gap and at the National Youth Leadership Institute of Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).  CFY Youth members bring the youth voice to coalition activities and take a leadership role in changing the peer culture and improving the environment for youth by promoting living above the influence.