Sustainability is a critical issue for the vast array of community initiatives that promote healthy children, strong families, and safe communities. Noting that sustaining an initiative over time requires maintaining sufficient fiscal resources as well as a combination of nonfiscal resources from the initiative itself and the broader community, this brief presents a framework for sustainability. The eight-part framework is intended to help policymakers, program developers, and other stakeholders at the state and community levels identify the basic resources needed and address the strategic decisions necessary to sustain promising comprehensive community initiatives. The eight elements of the framework presented are: (1) vision; (2) results orientation; (3) strategic financing orientation; (4) adaptability to changing conditions; (5) broad base of community support; (6) key champions; (7) strong internal systems; and (8) sustainability plan. Each element of the framework is examined in detail and includes strategies for developing and strengthening it. Examples of how successful initiatives have implemented efforts to achieve one or more elements of sustainability are also provided. The brief concludes with considerations for decision makers who are working to achieve long-term stability and success. (Contains 11 resources.) (KB)