Community Assessment

TABLE 11-1

Community Assessment using the Community-as Partner Model

OBSERVATIONS

DATA

I. Community Core- The people who reside in a geopolitical community or the population of a community. Criteria to evaluate when assessing the core include the community’s history, current demographics, and the values and beliefs of community residents.

II: Interrelated subsystems:

1. Physical Environment- Observations of the climate, terrain, natural boundaries, commercial systems, neighborhoods, religious symbols, planning studies, and so on.

2. Health and social services- Hospitals & clinics, home health care, extended care facilities, public health services, counseling & support services, clothing, food, shelter, and special needs services.

3. Economics- Household median income, percentage of persons living in poverty, employment status, occupational categories, and union activity.

4. Safety & transportation- Information about protection services (fire, police, water treatment, solid waste) and air quality. Information on public transportation.

TABLE 11-1 (continued)

5. Politics and government- Type of city government, political action groups, & political party affiliation.

6. Communication- Formal communication sources (e.g., newspapers) & informal communication sources (bulletin boards, posters)

7. Education- Educational status of community members & educational sources.

8. Recreation- Recreational facilities.

Stressors- Tension-producing situations within the community, such as increase in substance abuse among teens within the community.

Normal level of defense- Health statistics for the community (e.g., mortality & morbidity)

Flexible line of defense- Community responses to current stressors.

Lines of resistance- Established strengths within the community (e.g., shelters, food banks).