Who are we?
The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) brings together youth, parents and families, educators, human service and healthcare providers, businesses, government agencies, and people from other parts of the community to support youth health and prevent youth substance use. 4SC serves all local youth whether they live, work, or go to school in Greenfield. We also collaborate with other coalitions and community organizations to promote youth health across the region. We are currently housed at the Partnership for Youth, a program of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) and work closely with Greenfield Public Schools and other key community partners.
Mission
4SC and our partnering agencies aim to increase the well-being of Greenfield’s youth by coordinating the efforts of schools, families and community partners to promote healthy behaviors. We support effective environmental approaches to reduce substance abuse, increase school connectedness, and encourage supportive community relations.
What do we do?
4SC works to support youth health and reduce youth substance use by:
- Hosting educational events for parents and others raising youth;
- Coordinating a youth leadership group called Youth for Change, whose members work on a variety of projects, including educational campaigns aimed at other students and advocate for youth-friendly policies;
- Providing training and support for school staff and other professionals in the community;
- Sharing data from the annual Teen Health Survey about youth substance use and many related attitudes, behaviors, and experiences;
- Co-chairing a workgroup of the Communities That Care Coalition that focuses on improving local policies and norms so that the community is an easier place for youth to stay away from alcohol and drugs and is supportive of people in recovery;
- Promoting effective programs in the schools like the LifeSkills Training and policies that support school-connectedness;
- And more!
History
In 1995, administrators in the Greenfield Public Schools formed the coalition to support school and community partners to build relationships to help better address the physical, emotional, and behavioral health needs of youth in Greenfield. In 2010, 4SC and the Communities That Care Coalition of Franklin County & the North Quabbin decided to apply together for a federally-funded Drug Free Communities Mentoring Grant in order to build 4SC’s capacity to reduce the rates of substance use among Greenfield youth. In August 2012, after two successful years of mentoring, 4SC was awarded its own Drug-Free Communities grant. This allowed 4SC to step up prevention efforts significantly and hire a full-time 4SC Coordinator, and a part-time Program Director, Parent Engagement Coordinator and Youth Engagement Coordinator. The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) became our fiscal agent and host in 2018.
Meetings
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition held monthly meetings for interested members during the school year at Greenfield High School. We currently meet virtually, as needed. You are always welcome to contact Ilana, 4SC’s Coalition Coordinator for information about upcoming meetings and other coalition questions. In non-COVID times, you can find out dates of upcoming meetings by looking on the community calendar on the main page.