​Community Assets Resiliency Education (CARE)

The Community Assets Resiliency Education (CARE) Program is funded by the New York State Department of Health, Division of Family Health. CARE supports 10-to-13-year-olds and their caregivers to enhance and strengthen communication skills and support a healthy transition to middle adolescence. Research indicates that comprehensive programming like CARE improves pro-social behavior, reduces problem behaviors, and enhances academic performance among youth. It also aids caregivers in effectively communicating with adolescents about risky behaviors and fosters healthier family dynamics and improved relationships. CARE offers comprehensive services in Jefferson County, New York in four specific zip codes: 13601, 13602, 13603, and 13637 through three unique program components that work together to improve youth resiliency:

Component 1:

The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is a free, 25-week program for adolescents aged 10-13 that promotes healthy development through weekly peer meetings, evidence-based curriculum, and community service. Led by trained educators, TOP Clubs focus on goal setting, healthy decision-making & relationships, & recognizing risky behaviors. Clubs meet throughout the school year and participating youth receive 20 hours of Community Service Learning

Component 2:

CARE connects youth aged 10-13 to adult-supervised educational, recreational, and vocational opportunities through 4-H and beyond, that foster their strengths and future aspirations. The program promotes learn-by-doing experiences that encourage experimentation, innovation, and independent thinking while developing leadership, citizenship, and life skills

Component 3:

CARE provides parenting education to enhance and strengthen the communication and supervision skills of parents, guardians, and other adult caregivers. Information can be shared with caregivers alone or with caregivers and children together through group workshops, youth and family events and activities, and/or one-on-one home visits.

The CARE Program is made possible with support from federal Title V State SRAE funds, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Division of Family Health, and New York State's Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Initiative. This initiative utilizes an integrated model of evidence-based education and adult-supervised activities and opportunities for youth ages 10-13, together with parenting education classes for parents, guardians, and caregivers aimed at delaying the onset of sexual activity, preventing abuse, and supporting a healthy transition from early to middle adolescence for children in priority communities. Training and evaluation for each project is supported by the ACT for Youth Center for Community Action through funding from NYSDOH.

This website was developed in part with funding from The New York State Department of Health, Division of Family Health.

Last updated February 13, 2025