Community Asset Mapping Tools

SOUTH DAKOTA GOOD & HEALTHY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PLANNING TOOLKIT 1

TEMPLATE FOR STEPS IN MAPPING COMMUNITY ASSETS

Asset mapping follows several key steps necessary to discover the resources, activities, and interests that exist within the community.

Step Process Comments / Questions Comments

1 Define Community Determine the specific population All city residents, elderly, disabled, youth, faith-group, etc.

Determine the geographic boundary Entire county, city limits within the county, etc.

2 Convene Core Mapping Group

Recruit 4-6 individuals or leaders in the community, use both formal and informal networks

Don’t forget the ‘silent leaders’ or ‘quiet strangers’ Who has a wide community knowledge base?

Determine a project facilitator Who can best manage the project-skills, time, etc.

3 Get Organized

Project collaboration Most effective when done with a defined goal

Desired outcomes and goals, what is the end result?

Is there a particular issue?

Is it need-based or asset-based?

What is the desired outcome?

Prepare an estimated budget

Human and financial resources

Grants

Fundraising monies

In-kind contributions

Determine if there has been any asset mapping previously done

What records are available?

What methods will be used to gather information?

Face-to-face conversations

Door-to-door

Interviews

Surveys (phone, on-line, paper)

Storytelling

Community records

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4 Select Asset Inventories and Gather Information

After choosing which (all) inventories to select, gather information on all the assets and resources. Use the Identifying and Inventorying Assets Template to help coordinate and organize findings.

Assessment Inventory Levels: use all or just ones specific to the needs of the community.

Compiling this information involves taking stock of EVERYTHING that your community has to offer to support the health of its residents.

• Skills Inventory

• Statistical Inventory

• Economic Inventory

• Local Institutions and Organizations Inventory

• Physical Infrastructure and Land Assets Inventory

• Cultural Resources Inventory

5 Create the Map

Once asset inventories are completed, these assets are “mapped” to identify skills and show locations, groups, interests, and identify areas with gaps.

Map of the town or GIS created map

Use color-coded pushpins or computer rendered coloring to indicate assets

Create a flyer that depicts assets

TEMPLATE FOR STEPS IN MAPPING COMMUNITY ASSETS