Promoting community well-being involves addressing the social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions that children, families, and individuals live in. The resources on this page focus on the importance of and interventions to support community well-being, including State and local examples.
Catalyzing Community Action for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Savannah & Estes
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Explains how collective community action as part of a community development strategy can influence mental health and well-being at the community level. The article explains the pillars and principles of well-being as well as examples of jurisdictions improving indicators of health in their communities.
Community as a Mechanism for Transcending Wellbeing at the Individual, Social, and Ecological Levels (PDF - 257 KB)
Larson, Luloff, Bridger & Brennan (2015)
Community Development
Explains how efforts to impact community well-being at the individual, social, or ecological level will influence the other levels. The article concludes with applications to the field and areas for further research.
Community Commons
Provides State and national tools, maps, and reports on well-being indictors for community assessment, as well as stories on the economy, environment, equity, food access, health, housing, transportation, and more impact individuals in Cincinnati and in communities across the country.
The Community Opportunity Map
Casey Family Programs (2018)
Provides an interactive, research-based tool that highlights the aspects of communities that are associated with safe children and strong families. The tool was informed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Heathy Community framework.
Community Wellbeing
University of Minnesota
Provides information and ways to support the different aspects of community well-being, including the security and environment of the community as well as the health and relationships of individuals in the community.
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway. |
| Availability | Download (PDF - 442KB) |
| Year Published | 2019 |
State and local examples
Center for Family Life
SCO Family of Services
Provides information on community-based services for families living in the Sunset Park community in New York City, including family counseling, school-based programs, youth and adult employment services, cooperative business development, an advocacy clinic, tax filing support, and more.
Community Well-Being
Bring Up Nebraska
Provides information on community collaborations to reduce entry into the child welfare system and increase community supports for children and families.
Family Support
One Hope United
Provides information on community-based family support programs in Illinois, including an intact counseling services program, intact family services, the Nurturing Parenting Program, the Parent Group Program, and supplemental services for families and thriving communities.
Live Well Communities
Live Well San Diego
Provides information on a program that engages the community to improve the health, financial strength, safety, and quality of life of children and families.