SIX-STEP PLAN FOR GETTING STARTED:

These steps will guide you in your efforts to build a Community
Healthy Marriage Initiative (CHMI) in your community and help
develop potential for receiving government resources.

1. Write your strategic plan. In  order to create legitimacy for your effort,
it is important that you develop a  strategic plan to share with potential allies and
supporters.  Briefly describe your goals. What will  be your focus? (e.g., marriage
preparation, education or enrichment,  mentoring, abstinence education or
a combination)  What population will you serve? (teens,  single parents, fathers
or couples) How will you deliver these services?

For Strategic Planning Worksheets, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Training Materials" select "Strategic Planning
Worksheets." This document outlines a process for developing a mission statement
and strategic plan. Also see the sample Strategic Plan from First Things First and materials from
The Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia.

2. Develop a working team. Your team should include a group who
share a common commitment and willing to contribute time on a regular basis.

For Coalition Building Worksheets, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Training Materials" select "Coalition
Building Worksheets." This document outlines a process for developing
a coalition. Also see the sample Steering Committee Charter from the Anne Arundel
County Coalition for Healthy Marriages and Responsible Fatherhood.

3. Volunteers increase your capacity. College interns can donate
10-20 hours per week helping you organize a  community initiative. Interns
can help organize events, write letters, make  phone calls, and assist with
fundraising and proposal writing. Identify three  local colleges and universities
from which to recruit interns.

For Volunteer Recruitment Information, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Technical Assistance Toolkit" select "Internship
Recruitment Letters" and "Internship Recruitment Tools." Also, see
Intern rectuitment tools and sample recruitment letter.

4. Plan at least one meeting every six months to recruit new supporters.
Invite community, religious, and government  leaders for a meeting to discuss your
local community healthy marriage  initiative. ACF regional offices can help recruit
speakers and design an agenda.

For Samples of Meeting Agendas, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Technical Assistance Toolkit" select
"Boilerplate Documents."  Also see the sample meeting agenda.

5. Develop a strategy and capacity for delivering marriage education and support services,
a) identify and organize marriage education and preparation services in the community,
b)  distribute information on services available, c) locate the needed facilities,
and d) develop training programs to expand capacity.

* For a Description of Marriage Education and Training Programs, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Technical Assistance Toolkit" select
"Summary Description of Marriage Education and  Training Programs." Also see
The Directory of Programs at www.smartmarriages.com

� A web-based resource center can help identify capacity. A useful model is
Dennis Stoica�s website for the Orange County Marriage Resource Center www.OCMarriage.org.

� Secure needed office space, obtain legal status as a 501c3, if appropriate,
and establish a bank account for the organization. For information on how to form
a 501c3 corporation go to http://www.tgci.com/magazine/96summer/tobe1.asp.

6.  Sponsor at least two Marriage Celebration activities every six months.
These activities could include an awards banquet, free dates for newlyweds, and
a variety of other activities to celebrate marriage. Such events let your community know that marriage matters.

For Sample Marriage Celebration Activities, go to www.lewin.com.
Select the "CHMI" button. Under "Technical Assistance Toolkit" select "Marriage Celebration Activities."

 Also see the sample list of Marriage Celebration Activities.

This 6 step plan will help lay the groundwork for a  Community Healthy Marriage
Initiative and help your coalition compete for  funding opportunities. ACF wants
to give you the help you need to accomplish these tasks. Request technical
assistance by going to the ACF website www.acf.hhs.gov/key.html. Click on
the healthy marriage link and follow instructions to make a formal request.
Select the "ask a question" tab and fill out the form.

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