Families in the Whitehall-Coplay School District have had to skip meals due to financial situations.

This is one of the pieces of information to come out of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) during the initial stages of implementing a Communities That Care system.

Communities That Care, or CTC, is designed to allow communities to identify issues and to systematically begin correcting problems a few at a time.

Studies have shown that communities with a CTC in place tend to exhibit fewer youth problems and more positive behavior.

Consumer educator Denise Continenza, who serves as coordinator of the local CTC, said the group can use data from the PAYS to provide more insight on who is skipping meals and why. For example, examining the data might reveal how many of those who indicated their families skip meals are from single-parent or low-income households.

"We can even look at geographical pockets," she said. "The whole purpose of the CTC is to get to the bottom of these issues."

CTC has enough data to already begin working on the problem of substance abuse. The PAYS data indicates many youth believe substance abuse is a low-risk behavior.

"They're hearing the message that marijuana isn't that bad," said Continenza.

In order to get the message out, CTC will focus as much on parents as on the youth themselves.

Whitehall-Coplay School District has begun implementing a drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention plan funded by Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services.

In concert with this, middle school Principal Peter Bugbee is implementing the "power of parents" program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and MADD.

Through it, he will learn to train others how to talk to youth about these issues.

"Some people think it puts ideas in their heads," said Continenza. "If you don't put ideas in their heads someone else will."

The PAYS data also reported youth believe there's nothing to do in the community.

Continenza said she knows that's not true.

"Perhaps the issue is no one knows what's going on," she said. "We need to communicate more."

Continenza cautioned supporters not to expect immediate, sweeping results. But results will come.

"Community wide it takes a good 10 to 15 years," she said.