Agnew::Beck assisted the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) with facilitation and program design of a robust, effective community-wide initiative that addresses the overarching goals of reducing child maltreatment and increasing family resilience in Mat-Su Borough communities. Together, the team designed the initiative using the Collective Impact approach. The design team was comprised of community experts and residents who share a strong interest in and commitment to improving family well-being in their communities. The group met regularly to design the initiative, learn from other communities, and gather community input and support. The initiative became known as R.O.C.K. Mat-Su: Raising Our Children with Kindness. Agnew::Beck supported the steering committee as it implemented priority strategies in Mat-Su communities. In response to violence amongst youth in the Mat-Su that occurred in 2017, Agnew::Beck conducted seven focus groups that brought Mat-Su youth together to discuss the issues they confront related to drug and alcohol use, school, community, and home safety, social media and violence. The results from those focus groups prompted the steering committee and staff to create a youth advisory board to help Mat-Su youth gain leadership skills and serve in an advisor capacity for the initiative.
