Through education, networking and linking of services and resources, The Coad Group's Community Prevention department is designed to support individuals, organizations and communities in developing and promoting healthy and substance-free lifestyles. Some of the services we offer to local communities include:

Information and Referral

• Information and referral service regarding Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) through our 24 hour toll-free phone line 1-866-286-3767
• Free ATOD resource lending library with brochures, videos and curricula
• Pennsylvania Associate (Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource) Network Center
• Distribution coordination of The Exchange Newsletter, a quarterly publication of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services

Community Outreach

• Offers liaison and technical assistance services to Chester County community coalitions community groups and agencies by connecting resources, training and information
• Provide ATOD educational and informational services (speaking engagements and health fairs)
• Implements alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention/cessation efforts including: the youth development initiative to link all youth-driven tobacco prevention groups in Chester County; girls support groups to secondary school girls and Project Alert

Communities That Care (CTC)

Over and over again, we are reminded of the pressures, risks, stress, difficult and dangerous choices facing children and young people today. There has been a gradual and steady movement of concerned citizens and organizations coming together with the common goal of providing a rich, healthy environment that ensures that young people grow up with the character and competence needed to succeed in life.  This common goal is being achieved throughout Chester County by utilizing a community building and planning model widely known as Communities That Care.

Communities That Care coalitions promote healthy youth development and work together to prevent and reduce youth behavioral and health problems including:

• Substance Abuse
• Delinquency
• Teen Pregnancy
• School Drop-Out
• Violence

To learn more about this initiative in Chester County check out www.caringcommunitiescoalition.org or contact:

• Downingtown Area Communities That Care
  (c/o the Lionville YMCA - Eagleview) 610-458-9553 or dtownctc@umly.org
• Great Valley Partnership for Health Youth
  (c/o the UMLY - Berwyn Branch) 610-647-9622 or gvphy@kennett.net
• Kennett Communities That Care
  (c/o The Garage Youth Center) 610-444-6464 or kennettctc@comcast.net
• Octorara Communities That Care
  610-593-5963 or dsalada@ymcabwv.org
• Phoenixville Communities That Care
  (c/o Phoenixville Civic Center) 610-917-9675 or phxctc@yahoo.com
• West Chester Area Communities That Care
  610-696-8262 or mobilizer@wcctc.org or kcollier@wcctc.org

Departmental Contact Information

For more information about any of the above programs, please contact us.
(Toll-free numbers provided for Chester County, PA residents only).

Community Prevention: 1-800-917-1117 or 610-363-6164
Drug and Alcohol Information and Referral (24 hour toll-free line):
1-866-286-3767
General Community Prevention Email: community@coadgroup.com