COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS MODEL
With the growing problems facing our community in recent years, people like you told the United Way that you want to see a greater impact from your contributions. In response, in 1997 United Way launched an exciting new plan called the Community Partnerships Model.
It is definitely not "business as usual" at United Way these days. Today United Way is:
The bottom line is that United Way and the agencies are working together more closely than ever for greater results.
In 1998 and 1999, United Way is funding programs that can demonstrate measurable results that address the following Outcome Areas. They are not just United Ways outcomes. They are the communitys outcomesdeveloped along with key players from local government, education, healthcare, and other social services.
Children are well-prepared for learning when they start school and receive support outside of the classroom for their efforts inside the classroom. Intellectual curiosity, skill development, and achievement are valued. The benefits of hard work in school are obvious. Students finish high school ready to compete successfully in the labor market and/or in continuing education and skills development.
Residents have access to employment that provides a living wage and benefits. Barriers to employment, including transportation and daycare issues, are minimized. Adequate opportunities for life-long learning help prepare the workforce for the realities of 21st Century jobs. Educational, vocational training, and worker re-training services are readily available to support the needs of residents and employers.
The community respects and supports families, recognizing that family composition in a diverse society is varied. Family members have healthy relationships with each other. Families nurture their members and provide a sense of well-being and safety. Family members work together and feel that they also belong to something larger than themselves.
Safe and Supportive Neighborhoods 
People live in safe, affordable housing. They have access to positive educational and cultural experiences. Recreational centers are convenient and provide positive role models, especially for the children. All aspects of the environment--e.g., air, water, soil--are safe and healthy. The community values the unique attributes of each neighborhood, whether rural or urban.
Everyone makes choices --for themselves or for those entrusted to their care--which promote better health. Everyone gets the information and support they need to avoid preventable health problems. Both physical and mental wellness are valued. Everyone has access to an adequate level of health care, including prenatal care, from birth through death.
Positive Living for Special Populations
The elderly, and people of any age who are disabled, are supported (when necessary) with services which allow them to live in the most appropriate, least restrictive environment. With support from the community, everyone has the opportunity to participate in every aspect of community life that he or she desires. People with disabilities live, learn, work, and participate in typical accessible community settings. The community respects and protects their rights and includes them as contributing members.
Effective Nonprofit Infrastructure
The community sustains the delivery of top quality, economically viable health and human services through centralized services that strengthen and enhance the operation of other programs and organizations. The community supports access to information services which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers. Groups and individuals participate in community improvement and have a voice in broad-based decision-making. Effective management of nonprofit organizations is nurtured through training, consultation, and other services.
