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Community Assessment

Chapter 13

28/4/2007

Ahmad Adeeb

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Introduction What does a community assessment involve?

How can a community assessment engage families and community members?

What factors are involved in understanding community assets?

How should assessment information be used and by whom?

How can a partnership use assessment results to move from planning to action?

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Definition

A community assessment: is an exercise by which a collaborative partnership gathers information on the current strengths, concerns, and conditions of children, families, and the community.

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Community Assessment Process

WHY??

To identify and document the opportunities, challenges, strengths, and needs of a specific geographic community and its

residents.

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Community Assessment Process

WHY??

To build and strengthen relationships among community leaders, service

providers and most importantly, community residents.

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Community Assessment Process

WHY??

To have the information needed to make good decisions for a community collaborative strategic planning.

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Community Assessment Involves

1) scanning the community to locate existing information

(2) developing a family focus

(3) identifying community assets and the degree to which they are accessible to the people who can benefit from them

(4) analyzing the information

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Community Assessment Core Elements

Planning and implementation is broad-based and inclusive.

Use existing data and collect new data.

Establish key roles.

Identify issues of importance, needs and strengths in your county.

Summarize and USE your findings.

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Quick points

Process is as important as the product.

Assessment focuses not only on needs, but also on assets and resources.

Assessment is multifaceted and uses multiple data collection strategies.

It is not just about social services.

It is not an academic process.

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Community Assessment Process

From planning and implementation committee.

Review data.

Determine need for data.

Develop methods for data collection.

Collect new data.

Analyze data collected.

Create report

Share information with the community.

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Useful Indicators for a Community Scan

1. Health Issues

2. Economic Conditions

3. School Success

4. Family Issues

5. Early Child Development

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1- Health Issues

Immunization rates for young children Percentage of babies with low birth

weight Rates of early prenatal care Rates of births to single mothers

under 18

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2- Economic Conditions

Poverty rates Number of students receiving free or

reduced-price lunches Young adults in school or employed Housing mobility rates

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3- School Success

Measurement of academic achievement in challenging subject matter

Student mobility rates School dropout and grade-retention

rates

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4- Family Issues

Number of foster care placements Number of families on child care

waiting lists Number of new and reopened Aid to

Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) cases

Juvenile incarceration rates

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5- Early Child Development

Rates of preschool participation Percentage of children with special

needs Rates of adolescent parenting

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Sources for Information

Economic data: annual reports prepared by counties, and states.

Public health data and vital statistics: State and local departments of health and human services.

Education data: Education Statistics

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Community Assessment Tool

Community Assessment Tool focuses on five key elements:

1. Transportation.

2. Land-use and development.

3. Schools.

4. Parks, recreation, and trails.

5. Safety, security, and crime prevention.

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Goal 1:Transportation Facilities and Services

New Streets

Existing Streets

Maintenance

Disabled Access

Funding

Street Network

Choices

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Goal 2:Land Use Planning and Development

Smart Growth

Community Development

Traditional Neighborhood Development

Commercial Development

Trip Distance

Trip Choice

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Goal 3: Schools

Location

Access

Site Design

Control Cars

Encouragement

Community Center

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Goal 4:Recreational Facilities, Parks and Trails

New Development

Existing Neighborhoods

Access

Smaller Sites

Multipurpose Facilities

Trails

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Goal 5:Safety, Security and Crime Prevention

Driver Behavior

Vehicle Speeds

Environmental

Design Enforcement

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Summary

A community assessment enables collaborative partners to gather information about the strengths, concerns, and conditions of children, families, and the community.