Introducing S.A.F.E. 365: A Collaborative Platform for Family and Youth Well‑Being
The Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI) works to measurably improve public health through the facilitation of targeted, community-driven initiatives. With offices in Ithaca and Cortland, New York, RHI is committed to helping rural communities across the state improve population-level health through the use of data, collaboration, and communication.
Today, RHI is proud to announce the launch of S.A.F.E. 365, “Substance-free Activities and Family Engagement,” a regional platform designed to connect families, service providers, and community partners with reliable information, resources, and prevention tools that promote health and safety for youth year‑round.
Helping local teens and families thrive, 365 days a year
S.A.F.E. 365 welcomes parents, caregivers, and youth with a simple promise: to help local teens and families thrive every day. The site is “a place for parents and caregivers to find practical, evidence‑based resources about teen wellbeing,” offering information and programs focused on substance use, physical health, mental health, and parent‑teen communication. Articles and guidance align with known periods of risk and stress, such as school transitions, holidays, and summer breaks, so families have support year‑round.
What families will find
S.A.F.E. 365 has been designed with parents’ needs in mind. It offers:
Practical articles and guides. The content draws on research and local data to answer common questions and support parents through adolescence. Articles are refreshed each season so families always have current insights.
Local and online resources. A dedicated resources section allows families to browse local and online options including benefit programs, classes, and support services. Parents can search by type of resource, topic, or age group to find exactly what they need.
Program and event listings. The site highlights local programs and events in Cortland and Tompkins Counties, making it easy for families to discover community activities and prevention programs close to home. RHI offers parenting programming in Tompkins County and also refers parents to programs with partner agencies.
Seasonal campaigns and wellbeing initiatives. S.A.F.E. 365 promotes mental wellness, healthy coping skills, and substance‑use prevention through rotating campaigns that help encourage safety 365 days a year.
Why it matters
RHI focuses on upstream solutions that prevent problems before they escalate. S.A.F.E.365 supports that mission by giving parents and caregivers the tools to build stronger family connections, prevent risky behaviors, and support positive youth development. When families have easy access to reliable information and support, entire communities benefit. The site’s emphasis on practicality, that solutions should be both affordable and manageable, makes it especially valuable for busy families.
Building on collaboration
Like all of RHI’s work, S.A.F.E. 365 is designed to be collaborative. Schools, libraries, youth organizations, and local agencies can:
Share their own programs and events. Local listings on S.A.F.E. 365 help partners reach more families.
Distribute data-driven parenting materials and campaigns. Downloadable resources make it easy to amplify prevention messages.
Work with RHI to host evidence based parent programs or other training opportunities. RHI can facilitate parenting sessions or teen‑focused programs within partner spaces.
By working together, community partners can strengthen communication across sectors and ensure that every family knows where to turn for help.
Looking ahead
S.A.F.E. 365 is a living, evolving platform. RHI plans to expand it with more parenting discussion groups, teen‑led content, and stories of local prevention successes. Families, community leaders, and partner organizations are invited to explore the site, provide feedback, and help shape its future.
Visit safe365ny.org to discover parenting tips, browse local resources and events, and connect with RHI about collaboration opportunities.
The Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI) improves public health by collecting and organizing data to drive action, managing collaborations across sectors and communicating clearly about community health, always building on and learning from our shared experience.
