Getting to k now your Community Edna R. Hensey, Office of Healthy Carolinians /Health Education

Develop a broader understanding of available resources Introduce Asset Mapping Leave session with two names of potential partners/resources Todays 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 Resources Benefits Resource identification Understand key regional systems/linkages Catalyst 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 education Recreational programs Religious Activities

and more Local Political Organizations Community Planning groups Neighborhood Organizations Communications/media outlets Special 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 assets Mobilize and match assets to benefit community Convene group to make community plan

Organize this information Individual community members Formal institutions – education, businesses, government, hospitals Informal organizations –Churches, community organizations, neighborhood groups, sports leagues Physical assets – parks, community centers, other buildings

Individual Members List individuals personal strengths/skills Identify community leaders, formal/ informal Identify individuals skills Identify jobs that people have List 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 departments Public and private hospitals Voluntary health organizations/ United Way Mental health programs Public and private schools, early childhood programs, higher education institutions Libraries and Museums ??? Do they work together ???

Informal Organizations Community organizations, neighborhood clubs, scouts Adult/Community education Recreational programs Religious Activities Informal organizations ??? Do they interact ???

Sources of Information Newspapers and local magazines Community directories that list both formal and informal service organizations Telephone Directory/Yellow pages Chamber of Commerce Co-workers Other 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