Indiana Healthy Communities (IHC) is the Wellness Council’s evidence-based collaboration process designed to help communities focus on implementing and sustaining a culture of well-being to spur economic vitality.
The program takes a workforce development and economic improvement approach by focusing heavily on employer participation within the communities served.
We help communities:
Assess
Assess their programs, services, and infrastructure in four domains: Health, Economy, Environment, and Community
Use Data
Use data from the assessment and other sources to determine community needs
Take Action
Take action by assisting key stakeholders in developing a Healthy Community Action Plan with goals and objectives
Gain Recognition
Gain recognition for your efforts to enhance community health and quality of life through the Indiana Healthy Community designation from the Wellness Council of Indiana.
What does it take to become an Indiana Healthy Community?
Below are the 6 Key Components to building a successful community initiative. Communities are asked to consider these components when creating goals and objectives for their initiative.
Community Understanding
Look at community health indicators and determine areas that need attention. Take an inventory of community amenities so that you can leverage what you already have. Seek input from citizens on what they envision as an ideal place to live, work and play.
Data Driven Decisions
Utilize relevant data and identified community health needs to develop your initiative. Share data sources and research with the greater community to promote transparency. Determine an evaluation strategy that measures outcomes of the community initiative and communicate the results with citizens.
Leadership and Advocacy
Engage community sectors and ensure leaders are involved in each step of the community initiative process. Utilize leaders to help develop short and long-term goals that are feasible and will be supported by their various sectors.
Collective Vision and Action
A collective vision is based off the common goals and strategies of sectors in the community to inspire action. Tap into existing community resources and ensure all participants are working together to achieve the goals set by the initiative.
Citizen Involvement
Empower citizens to share their input and help in the decision-making process. Citizens should be put in roles that best fit their skills and talents, and it is important that these roles and expectations are openly communicated with them. Self-organizing groups understand that their roles complement and support other groups in working toward their shared vision.
Effective Communication
Brand your community initiative and send regular communications through a variety of different channels. Ask for feedback from recipients and try to incorporate suggestions into your communication strategy to reach more people in the most effective way possible.
Designated Indiana Healthy Communities
These communities have worked diligently to meet the expectations set forth by the Wellness Council of Indiana and have utilized our 6 Key Components to a healthy community initiative.
Delaware County
Designated September 2016
Community Vision – Helping people in Muncie/Delaware County have complete wellbeing and helping our community to be a great place to live and work.
Dubois County
Designated January 2019
Community Vision – To create and sustain a healthy community culture that educates motivates and employers us where we live, work and play.
Hamilton County
Designated September 2025
Community Vision – To engage community stakeholders in holistic well-being to promote quality of life for all.
Hancock County
Designated September 2016
Community Vision – Promoting health, happiness, and wholeness in Hancock County.
Hendricks County
Designated May 2019
Community Vision – The Hendricks County Health Partnership exists to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of Hendricks County.
Kosciusko County
Designated February 2019
Community Vision – The Kosciusko Healthy Community Council exists to strategically plan, influence, and initiate community-wide efforts to pursue an environment of well-being for all residents. This leadership group will work collaboratively and holistically to impact areas of purpose, social, financial, community, and physical well-being. The ultimate goal is that our county becomes a place where people thrive, and other desire to come to live, learn, work and play.
Orange County
Designated September 2025
Community Vision – To improve the physical and mental health of Orange County citizens by providing access and resources that promote health and wellness throughout our community, making this a great place to live, work, and play.
Spencer County
Designated February 2025
Community Vision – To improve the health and wellness of Spencer County residents through quality of life, quality of place and access to resources.
