Building safe and healthy communities starts with a full understanding of who we are, what resources we have, and what challenges we face. Community Assessment is a critical first step that gives us real information about the needs we face and the assets we have so that we can develop a clear, practical, and meaningful action plan.
Community Assessment Basics
Community Assessment is a starting place for understanding people’s common experiences, interests, and challenges.
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. It is vitally important to consider all the cultures in your community as you plan for assessment.
Data Collection
It’s important to use a variety of methods to collect both quantitative (the “what”) and qualitative (the “why”) data. This list will give you an overview of the kinds of secondary and primary data your coalition may collect.
Quantitative Data Collection Resources:
Active v Passive Consent A Review
Qualitative Data Collection Resources:
- Open-Ended Question Guide (link to external site)
- World Cafe To Go (link to external site)
- Environmental Scan General
- Environmental Scan Version 2
- Environmental Scan Community Event Alcohol
- Environmental Scan Vaping Sample