• service coordination and case management for at risk, pregnant, and parenting youth;
• prevention counseling which targets at risk youth;
• tutoring services and supports that facilitate education goals and retention in school; and
• increase awareness of and access to existing youth services that tend to be centrally located in the city of Cortland.

 Much like the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) project , APPS also builds on community strengths that include the involvement of an Advisory Board, a cooperative and complete matrix of  community needs, a referral network, and existing linkages between various service areas i.e.; health care, education and social services. 

The APPS program attempts to meet the needs listed above by entering into subcontracts for specific services such as: The STEPS (Supportive Teen Education Parent Service) Program is a community based outreach case management model operated by our local Catholic Charities. 

The STEPS Program serves youth throughout the county and is the only program of its kind in our area.  Over the years it has been demonstrated that case management services are essential for these youth as it provides information, education, informal supportive counseling, referral and follow-up across multiple service areas.

The Tutoring Assistance Program (TAP) is a prevention activity that increases retention and success in school by helping participants experience academic success and define realistic career goals.

In addition, the TAP program supports young parents in their return to school and completion of their educational goals.  The TAP program was developed by the City Youth Bureau over 20 years ago, in partnership with the Cortland city School district.  This program fills an important service gap as youth served in this model are frequently those whose school performance and testing scores fall below normal.

School Based Prevention Counseling  brings APPS services into a rural school setting where one-on-one therapeutic counseling focuses on the development of increased self-determination and resolution of issues related to the risk factors of teen pregnancy that exist in our area.  Individual and group counseling are available on site in the McGraw School District through the services of an APPS counselor.

All three components of the project deliver services using a positive youth development model.  Promotion of healthy, responsible, and compassionate choices among young people is a core value of our Advisory Board, our local schools and service providers.  All three components have a focus on pregnancy prevention, development of the youth’s positive future orientation, and building self esteem. 

Catholic Charities and the APPS Program are pleased to be affiliated with the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) coalition as we share their vision of a safe, stable, community that supports positive values; promotes healthy families, and values education, diversity, and investment in youth development.  CACTC advocates a research base framework that links all of the prevention efforts in the community.  If you would like more information about the APPS program you can contact Ann Marie Phelps at 756-5992, extension 23.