Post on 29-Mar-2015
Getting to know your Community
Edna R. Hensey, Office of Healthy Carolinians /Health Education
Develop a broader understanding of available resources
Introduce Asset MappingLeave session with two names of potential
partners/resources
Today’s Objectives
Community is:
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
The district or locality where a group lives.
A group of people having common interests
A group viewed as a distinct segment of society.
Community Health Assessment looks at the
county.
Explore Community ResourcesBenefitsResource identificationUnderstand key regional systems/linkagesCatalyst for partnerships Foundation for strategic planning and
implementation
Know your community
Background and Setting– Geography– Natural resources– Transportation– Population numbers and characteristics – History and local traditions– Values and interests
and more…
Economy– Levels of income– Types of occupations– Future employment
Housing Conditions– Standard vs. substandard– Stable neighborhoods or transient
Crime and Law Enforcement
still more…
Government and Laws– Governmental structure and administration
Health and Social Services Systems– Local health department– Public/private hospitals– Voluntary health organizations/United Way– Mental health programs– Others
still more ...
Education– Public/private schools, early childhood programs– Libraries and Museums– Higher education institutions
Adult/Community educationRecreational programsReligious Activities
and more
Local Political OrganizationsCommunity Planning groupsNeighborhood OrganizationsCommunications/media outletsSpecial population groups and organizations
Collect/organize information
Community Assessment Guide Book, Phase 2 Office of Health Carolinians/Health Education, 2008– Worksheet - page 12
– Asset Mapping page – 47
Internet – Asset Mapping Information Guiding Communities from the inside out. John P.
Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 1993
Asset Mapping-One Approach
Asset based: Focused on strengths and resources NOT deficits and problems
Community assets: Looks for internal talents, gifts, abilities and resources that can be used to solve existing problems.
Relationship focused: Looks at potential resources and linkages to address health problems.
Asset Mapping Steps
Map three key community assets– Individuals, formal institution and informal
organizations
Build relationships between assetsMobilize and match assets to benefit
communityConvene group to make community plan
Organize this information
Individual community membersFormal institutions
– education, businesses, government, hospitals
Informal organizations – Churches, community organizations,
neighborhood groups, sports leagues
Physical assets – parks, community centers, other buildings
Individual Members
List individual’s personal strengths/skillsIdentify community leaders, formal/
informalIdentify individual’s skillsIdentify jobs that people haveList your own skills and hobbies
Hint!
For individuals – Develop a “must” know/already do know list.– Develop a “nice” to know/already do know list.– Develop a “networking” list.
Get contact information for everyone you meet – organize it either on paper or electronically
Formal Institutions
Local health and social services departmentsPublic and private hospitalsVoluntary health organizations/ United WayMental health programsPublic and private schools, early childhood
programs, higher education institutionsLibraries and Museums
??? Do they work together ???
Informal Organizations
Community organizations, neighborhood clubs , scouts
Adult/Community educationRecreational programsReligious ActivitiesInformal organizations
??? Do they interact ???
Sources of Information
Newspapers and local magazines Community directories that list both formal
and informal service organizationsTelephone Directory/Yellow pagesChamber of CommerceCo-workersOther contacts
Collaborations and Partnerships
Who are the KEY players in your community?
Reach out to lay and health care professionals
Reach out to the general community
Knowing your Communities is the
to getting your job done in Public Health