United Way of Northeastern Minnesota was one of 10 organizations selected by the state of Minnesota in 2026 to implement the Communities That Care (CTC) framework — an evidence-based approach proven to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors for mental health and substance use prevention — in our region.
The model is currently being piloted locally in Hibbing.
Communities That Care (CTC) was developed by J. David Hawkins, PhD, and Richard F. Catalano PhD, through decades of research and collaboration with communities across the country.
CTC guides communities through a proven five-phase change process. Using prevention science as its base, CTC promotes healthy youth development, improves youth outcomes, and reduces problem behaviors.
In March 2025, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) responded to a request for proposals from the Minnesota Department of Health to prevent youth substance use through a multi-faceted approach to impact other health (e.g., mental health, violence), and social areas (e.g., academics). Ours was one of 10 proposals selected.
Since then, we have hired CTC Coordinator Kayce Halek to lead our local implementation of the CTC model in Hibbing. Kayce has convened key leaders and established a community board which will now begin soliciting youth feedback to identify the most impactful programming opportunities.
CTC cannot succeed without community buy-in.
Thank you to the following Hibbing community members for investing their time and energy into improving youth opportunity.
Key Leaders
- Dr. Amanda McDonald, Fairview Range
- Chris Rengstorf, Hibbing Schools (SRO)
- James Plese, Hibbing High School (Athletics Director)
- Jen Toewe, Hibbing High School (Assistant Principal)
- Michelle Anderson, Sixth Judicial District Court (Judge)
- Steve Estey, Hibbing Police Department (Chief)
Community Board
- Alicia Dick, MSW, LICSW, Be Well Within, PLC
- Amber Emerson, Hibbing Schools
- Ashley Rengstorf, Creative Solutions Counseling 4 Kids
- Brent Theien, Open Door Church
- Brittany Lindstrom, Boys & Girls Club of Hibbing
- Dana Lindstrom, Hibbing High School
- Danielle Jones, Fairview Range
- Heather Matvey, Hibbing Schools
- Jack Furlong, Ameriprise Financial
- Jamie Koppes, Sexual Assault Program of Northern St. Louis County
- Karli Sporich, Arrowhead Regional Corrections
- Lara McDowell, Greenhaven Elementary
- Laura Simmons, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services - Child & Family Services
- Mike Danks, Arrowhead Regional Corrections
- Riley Story, City of Hibbing
- Wendy Skottegard-Burke, Arrowhead Juvenile Center
The most important voices in making CTC effective come from local students themselves.
Almost immediately upon formalizing, Hibbing's CTC Community Board sought to engage Hibbing teens creatively by launching this month's t-shirt/slogan contest. Keep scrolling to enter!
Want to learn more?
Contact CTC Coordinator Kayce Halek at kayce@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-969-7499.