- What is an initiative?
- How are local HC • HY initiatives related to the national HC • HY initiative?
- What are the benefits of registering a local initiative with HC • HY?
- How can I find HC • HY initiatives in my area?
- How do HC • HY initiatives work?
- Does Search Institute offer assistance for local initiatives applying for grants?
- How can a Search Institute trainer help my community?
What is an initiative?
An HC • HY initiative is a group that works in a community to build awareness of Developmental Assets and encourage asset-building practices and policies. Some initiatives are housed in organizations such as schools, companies, or governmental bodies; others are created specifically for the purpose of asset building. Initiatives vary greatly in size and composition, but every HC • HY initiative contains members representing at least three sectors of the community (such as educators, parents, faith community leaders, governmental representatives, business representatives, or youth-serving professionals) and involves youth in the leadership of the group.
How are local HC • HY initiatives related to the national HC • HY initiative?
There are many local initiatives around the country that are affiliated with Search Institute’s HC • HY initiative. Each of these local organizations has made a commitment to working for the youth in their communities and is integral in spreading the message of asset-building. For a local initiative to be considered an “HC • HY initiative,” it has to satisfy four criteria:
- The 40 Developmental Assets must be key to the initiative’s efforts
- Three or more sectors of the community are involved and committed for the long term, and are working to bring asset-building to their sectors
- Youth are involved in the planning an implementation of the initiative
- The initiative is willing to share what it is learning about asset-building and community-based initiatives with the national network of initiatives and Search Institute
At its core, a Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Initiative works to rasie awareness of and engage adults and young people from across the community in efforts to build the 40 Developmental Assets that help young people thrive.
What are the benefits of registering a local initiative with HC • HY?
Local initiatives receive the following benefits upon registration:
- Receipt of a monthly e-newsletter, the Asset Champion
- Inclusion in Search Institute’s online, state-by-state listing of Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth (HC • HY) initiatives, including a link to your initiative’s Web site, if available, to help others find your initiative
- Eligibility to use the HC • HY logo in your initiative
- Connections with local allies and media who contact Search Institute to learn about local asset-building initiatives
- Recognition as a leader and resource for the national asset-building movement
How can I find HC • HY initiatives in my area?
Many initiatives are registered with Search Institute, and can be found on the Find an Initiative page.
How do Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiatives work?
Search Institute has identified five action strategies that HC • HY initiatives can use to guide their asset building. Find out more by reading Five Action Strategies for Transforming Communities.
Does Search Institute offer assistance for local initiatives applying for grants?
Search Institute’s Grant Writing Resources page contains many helpful links and resources to help your school or community initiative apply for grants. Search Institute will also provide a letter of support for asset-building initiatives.
How can a Search Institute trainer help my community?
Holding a Search Institute training is a great way to help launch or revitalize an HC • HY community initiative. For more information on training and speaking services, see Search Institute Training & Speaking.
