The Caring Communities Youth Survey (CCYS) is a bi-annual survey completed by 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade students enrolled in public and private schools throughout the state. The survey is funded by the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and has been administered statewide since 2002.

 

The CCYS taps into several behavioral health indicators for school-age children, including Risk and Protective factors, substance use/abuse, mental health and antisocial behaviors. Schools and districts use the CCYS reports to apply for grants or funding that address areas of need illuminated by survey outcome measures.

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Since 2002, the Cecil J. Picard Center for Childhood Development and Lifelong Learning at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been tasked with coordinating, monitoring, and providing technical assistance for survey administration. In addition, the Picard Center works with OBH on disseminating findings and creating a summary of outcome measures. State, Region and District reports are published on the Picard Center website for public access. Individual school reports require special permission to view.