Youth Investment Partnership
Youth Investment Partnership (YIP) is a vision that adults will form partnerships with youth that firmly establish the message that all youth are valued, appreciated, and recognized for the strengths and positive qualities they possess. One strong framework to initiate this vision is the 40 Developmental Assets, defined by the Search Institute of Minnesota. Search research has shown that the more asset-rich “tools” or building blocks that youth maintain, the more likely youth will exhibit success related to leadership, good health, value of diversity, and success in school. When assets are limited in a youth’s life, research has shown an increase in problem alcohol use, violence, illicit drug use, and sexual activity.

YIP encourages all sectors within the Santa Barbara community to take an active part in youth development. Building assets is a conglomerate of ideas which include: the challenge that raising healthy children requires the attention of an entire community; asset-building is more than a single interaction with youth, but a life-long realization that children thrive with consistent adult interactions, in which learning is constant; getting involved requires all sectors within a community to recognize their individual strengths and “pay them forward” to youth so the messages transcend and continue to pay forward.

An asset-rich community does not have an end-date for completion, but rather is viewed as consistent avenues of relationship building with youth and adults. As adults begin to view youth as resources rather than “just kids”, the community will start to invest in youth as assets themselves. Establishing positive relationships between adults and youth offers both parties the benefits of learning from one another, and contributing to the future success of youth. Current Partners and Relationships include: Santa Barbara County Office of Education, Partners in Education, Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation, Santa Barbara Twelve35 Teen Center, Girl’s Inc, Community Collaborative Foundation, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Ty Warner Sea Center, Strategy Planning Committee on Youth Violence, Future Latina Leaders of America, Anti-Defamation League, Tri-County Restorations Youth Program, La Colina Junior High School, La Cumbre Junior High School, Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Junior High School, Carpinteria Middle School. Read more about the Power of Partnership™ Initiative

Character Counts!
Program currently in place in 24 Santa Barbara County elementary schools, providing curriculum, assemblies, and incentives for improving student behavior through the six pillars of character; trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.  Partners include: Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, School Districts (Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez), & United Way of Santa Barbara County.
Learn more about building assets and character. Learn about Building Assets and Character: Strength-Based Approaches to Youth Development.
 

First 5 Santa Barbara County: Early Childhood Projects
Community Grant Fund Collaboration matches United Way dollars for 12 county-wide early education projects as well as health insurance for toddlers without any.  United Way volunteers serve on County commissions and county representatives serve on United Way committees improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public and private dollars. Partners include: 35 early childhood partners, First Five Santa Barbara County, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.

Projects include:

• My Healthy Child
A three-pronged program including a website: http://www.myhealthychildsb.org, a pediatrician/nurse engagement program and an online searchable resource directory.  Partners include: Family Service Agency, First 5 of SB County, local pediatricians, Sansum Clinic, SB County Health Dept., SB Neighborhood Clinics and United Way of SB County.

• Born Learning

 Way's Covering California's Children
Covering California's Children
Collaboration of 17 United Way organizations throughout California to create statewide models of health insurance for children who have no health insurance of any kind.  Partners include: The California Endowment, numerous elected officials, Santa Barbara and Goleta Chambers of Commerce and a consortium of 17 United Way organizations across California, including United Way of Santa Barbara County. 
 

Success by 6

• bornlearning - Public education/engagement campaign helping parents, caregivers, pediatricians, clinics and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. Partners include: First 5 of Santa Barbara County, local pediatricians, Sansum Clinic, Santa Barbara Health Department, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
• PRE-KINDERGARTEN SUMMER INSTITUTES - Special classes for low income 5 year olds to prepare them academically, socially and behaviorally to succeed in kindergarten.  Partners include: First 5 Santa Barbara County, Goleta Union School District, Santa Barbara School District, Healthy Start, Isla Vista Youth Projects, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
• HOME PLAY LEARNING KITS - Provides bilingual home based games to train and stimulate parents and children to prepare for school.  Partners include: First 5 Santa Barbara County, Healthy Start, Isla Vista Youth Projects, Santa Barbara School District, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
  Volunteer to assemble kits.
• HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters) - Provides in-home parent training for low income families.  Partners include: Healthy Start , Santa Barbara School District, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
• WELCOME EVERY BABY - Special in-home visits and training to new low to moderate income moms to ensure physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy growth of babies. Partners include: Cottage Health System, County of Santa Barbara Health Department, First 5 Santa Barbara County, Sojourn Services, and United Way of Santa Barbara County.

Family Senior Caregiver Respite Program
Partnership to leverage more resources and federal dollars for caregiver respite services.  Partners include: Area Agency on Aging, Friendship Senior Day Care Center and United Way of Santa Barbara County.