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