The Community Alliance for Resources and Education (CARE) Coalition is a collaborative group of community members, youth, local agencies, schools, and individuals dedicated to uniting, informing, and empowering the West Valley to impact youth through collective planning and action positively.

CARE values inclusivity and diverse representation, incorporating the 12 Sectors of Community as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). Members from each sector are encouraged to join and participate in our quarterly coalition meetings!

During CARE Coalition Meetings, attendees have opportunities to share insights into the community sector they serve. These insights help us shape our programs and direct community members to helpful resources. To learn more about how you can become a general CARE Coalition member, check out this page:  https://carecoalitionaz.org/general-care-members/ 

CARE members who are also sector leaders are encouraged to apply to become CARE Advisory Board members. To learn more about the CARE Coalition Advisory Board, please click here: https://carecoalitionaz.org/care-advisory-board/

CARE began in 2010 as the Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which Touchstone Health Services managed as a fiscal agent. Community partners joined to provide input and support for the program. As the TPPP’s first funding cycle ended, the LAC evolved into the CARE Coalition to actively create meaningful community change.

In 2020, Touchstone received a new three-year grant, allowing CARE to expand into Glendale and Alhambra. Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the grant enabled the coalition to reach over 5,700 youth and 240 parents/guardians with evidence-based programs.

Touchstone is implementing a five-year grant (2023–2028) funded by the Office of Population Affairs. This grant enables the CARE Coalition to serve communities in Avondale, Tolleson, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and parts of Glendale, Phoenix and Buckeye. This funding supports the continued growth of the CARE Coalition, which aims to reach over 22,000 youth, 7,900 parents/caregivers, and 3,100 community members through evidence-based programs and training to achieve CARE’s mission through a systemic approach.

This systemic approach helps to effectively meet the needs of our diverse community while honoring the purpose of the grant: teen pregnancy prevention. This systemic approach drives the CARE Coalition to promote resources and programs to address a variety of youth health issues, such as STI and HIV prevention, birth control options, substance misuse, dating violence, suicide prevention, mental health concerns, and so much more in the West Valley.

The CARE Coalition is a vital link between the community and the available programs provided through Touchstone Health Services.