The Steps to Health Initiative was launched on the 13th May and the initiative is open from this day. However progress will be evaluated quarterly. The deadline for entry to the Area Awards which will take place in Mullingar Park Hotel on 28th November 2015 is the 16th October 2015.

There are three quality standards on offer: Gold, Silver or Bronze. The ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard is valid for one year only, but Areas that continue to maintain the standards will also maintain their ‘Steps to Health’ quality standards.

Progress will be evaluated quarterly:

• End of May 2015
• End of September 2015
• End of January 2016

At any of these stages Areas have the opportunity to attain one of the quality standards (gold, silver or bronze). You will be asked to provide a random selection of evidence of standards achieved. Health Promotion Officers from the HSE or Development Officers from Community Games may also visit your Area to see some of the work in action.

The ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard will also contribute to the points allocation for the Area Awards, as follows:

• Gold: 315 Points
• Silver: 150 Points
• Bronze: 75 Points

If you wish for the ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard to contribute points towards the Area Awards you must have your Progress Report Form in by the September evaluation and any additional updates by Monday the 12th October 2015.

Areas and Counties will be notified of the standard quality and points allocation (where applicable) from each Area taking part in the ‘Steps to Health’ 2015, by the 16th October. Counties then simply add the ‘Steps to Health’ point’s allocation to the Areas in their respective Counties who are entered in the Area Awards 2015.

Hard copy materials, photos, videos etc are suitable. HSE Health Promotion Officers and CG Development Officers may also visit Areas. We ask that Areas be creative in this regard. Please note that you are not required to send in the evidence with the progress form, until requested.

There are a number of statements (under the headings of Topics and Processes) which your Area must work towards in order to achieve a ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard. Each statement carries a weighting of points which is written in the box under ‘Yes’. The maximum number of points that can be achieved is 35, this is the Gold quality standard. In order to achieve each standard you must achieve the following points: Bronze: 14-25 points Silver: 26-33 points Gold: 35 points The Progress Report Form is to be used as a tool which allows you to track your progress and is also to be used for the quarterly evaluations.

Areas must send the Progress Report Form to: HSE Community Games, 20 Inish Carraig House, Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath or send email to stepstohealth@communitygames.ie by each of the quarterly deadlines. For inclusion in the Area Awards, please ensure that any additional standards achieved are sent in by Monday the 12th October to ensure the correct allocation of points.