Southington Group Encourages Youth Success

SOUTHINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT/STEPS

SOUTHINGTON, CT — With another school year beginning in Southington comes renewed efforts by one local organization aimed at keeping local children substance free and healthy

The organization is called "Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success" (STEPS) and it will begin its 16th year next week, caccording to an announcement by the Southington Police Department Thursday.

STEPS is currently being led Led by Board President Bill Palmieri, the recently-retired Southington deputy chief.

Accoding to STEPS, the group seeks to prevent substance misuse among youth by building what are called "developmental assets."

Those "assets" range from family support and caring schools to service to others and safety.

“A major component of our prevention strategy centers around the 40 developmental assets which, in short, state the more assets a youth has, the less likely they are to take part in risky behaviors,” explained Palmieri.

Palmieri, a lifelong resident of Southington and an officer with Southington police for 38 years, has made it his mission to create an asset-building community in town.

“We are in an era of rapid change and progress [and] our youth face unique challenges and opportunities that require careful attention and support,” writes Palmieri.

To get involved in continuing STEPS’ mission of making prevention and positive youth development a priority in the Southington community, email southingtonsteps@gmail.com.

For Palmieri's message to the community about STEPS, click on this link.

For more information on STEPS programs, click on this link.