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Updated Module Three Community Needs Assessment Template and Example 

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Updated Module Three Community Needs Assessment Template and Example 

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Community Needs Assessment Template-new edit

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Updated Module Three Community Needs Assessment Survey 

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Updated Module Three Community Needs Assessment Survey 

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Community Needs Assessment Survey- new edit

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No Person Hungry Addressing Food Insecurity Community Service Proposal Amber Feuay EDG 6343 Dr. Kinsey Hansen Proposal Summary About No Person Hungry aims to address food insecurity in our community by providing healthy and affordable food options to low-income families, Project

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San Angelo Community Involvement - ASU Students

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Module Five Assignment- Gaps, Critical Issues, and Partnerships Report

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Module Five Assignment- Gaps, Critical Issues, and Partnerships Report

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Module 5 - Gaps, Critical Issues, and Partnerships Report

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Module Five- Local ADA and San Angelo Citizens

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Module Five- Local ADA and San Angelo Citizens

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SAN ANGELO, Texas ( Concho Valley Homepage) - During a Town Hall meeting on March 22, 2023, the community came forth to bring light to current accessibility issues within the city of San Angelo and to ask questions about accommodations within the plans to renovate the River Stage.

Recent ADA projects within the last 10 - 15 years include renovations to the auditorium, local parks and Chadbourne street downtown. The City has also expanded interpreting services, updated accessibility information on the city website and added closed captions to SATV Optimum Channel 17.

The accessibility score of the city website has been improved from 71 percent to 85 percent and will continue to be improved after the city approved a contract with a service provider to further increase its accessibility.

An upcoming ADA project includes upgrading the City Council Chambers' audio and video capabilities which will include assisted listening devices, an ASL interpreter capability in video broadcast and additional closed captioning.

According to Brian Groves, Communications Director, the technology in the City Chambers has not been updated since 2015. This has caused recent failures in microphones, system failures and timers during City Council meetings.

During public comment, the Chair for San Angelo Advocacy for Access, Kim Henry, spoke for Ashley Moheski who said, "Don't just stick a ramp somewhere or pave a sidewalk and call it accessible, actually think about the potential dangers of how it's built or paved such as the steep ramp on Chadbourne."

Henry continued by pointing out the accessibility plans proposed in the design to renovate the River stage did not include anything regarding technology.

"The same technology that is needed for here (City Chambers) is literally the same technology for all city services, programs and facilities and that includes the River Stage," said Henry.

Additional comments made by citizens asked that any implemented ADA renovations be made so that they not only meet ADA requirements but are also functional.

"I think what's called the 'death ramp' actually meets ADA requirements it's just not practical if you're really in a wheelchair," said one citizen.

Currently, there are not any parking lots that directly serve the River Stage and additional concerns were brought forth regarding accessible parking and routes to the River Stage entrance as well as a lack of rails on stairs.

Several commenters raised doubts about whether city authorities could be trusted to make San Angelo a more accessible city. Several claimed that many accessible locations in San Angelo are not actually functional for those with disabilities.

"The things that need to change is the way we think whenever we begin thinking and we begin planning these projects, that needs to put disability as a priority because all that does is increase the useability, it increases the access, it increases the safety, it compliments our city and what we want to be," said one advocate with Disability Connections.
To watch the full Town Hall meeting go here. For more information or to ask questions regarding accessibility and accommodations in San Angelo, residents can go to Cosatx.us/ada or contact Theresa James at (325) 657-4407 / theresa.james@cosatx.us

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Here is what San Angelo citizens had to say about local ADA

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During a Town Hall meeting on March 22, 2023, the community came forth to bring light to current accessibility issues within the city of San Angelo and to ask questions about accommodations within the plans to renovate the River Stage.

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Module Five- Concho River Water Project-Sustainable Water Sources

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Module Five- Concho River Water Project-Sustainable Water Sources

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The City of San Angelo has identified the leading option for its next water supply and taken the first step toward its development.

The Concho River Water Project is a move to extend San Angelo's sources beyond its lakes and the Hickory Aquifer. It will do so by adding a reliable and sustainable source that will help meet water needs for decades to come.

The project involves releasing highly treated water from the City's wastewater treatment plant into the Concho River. After it has flowed down that "natural pipeline," the water will be recouped farther downstream. From there, it will be piped to the water treatment plant, where it will be treated to drinking standards.

"This is water San Angelo already has," said attorney Jason Hill, the City's special counsel for water. "We're just able to make better use of it. It's a win-win for the community."

On Sept. 18, the City Council unanimously agreed to pursue state permits that will ensure the water is treated to adequately high standards before its release into the river.

Prior to recommending the Concho River project, engineers and City staff studied 24 possible water supplies. Those included surface water, groundwater and direct reuse. The experts and City officials concluded the Concho River Water Project is a reliable and cost-effective source, will produce water with an improved taste, can be developed relatively quickly, and utilizes proven science. Cities have long released their treated wastewater downstream into streams, rivers and lakes. Treated wastewater from Ballinger, Robert Lee and Winters, for instance, flows into San Angelo's primary water source, Ivie Reservoir.

"We are releasing it into the Concho so we have what we call an environmental buffer," said Scott Hibbs, principal water resource engineer with eHT, an Abilene engineering firm. "So we're letting Mother Nature take care of some of the treatment aspects."

Securing state permits could take as little as two to three years. Completing the entire project could take about five years and will cost about $120 million dollars. That includes upgrades to the water and wastewater treatment plants. Those improvements would be needed regardless of which new water source was chosen.

When completed, the Concho River Water Project will produce about 7.5 million gallons per day. By comparison, the Hickory Aquifer is currently capable of producing 8 million gallons per day, although that is being expanded to 12 million gallons. San Angelo averages about 12 million gallons of daily usage.

Work continues by the West Texas Water Partnership to develop a long-term source that can serve San Angelo, Abilene and Midland. The Concho River Water Project will help meet local water demands for about the next 50 years.

"This takes San Angelo a long ways down the road of water security," Hill said. "And when I say a long ways, I'm talking generationally ... 2060, 2070."

The project will also diversify San Angelo's portfolio of water sources. Because the City will not be dependent upon any one source of water, San Angelo will be better able to weather times of drought.

FAQs on Concho River Water Project

For five years now, making San Angelo water secure has been the City Council's top stated priority. That means ensuring the community not only has a reliable infrastructure but an ample supply. Adequate water is important for daily living, to protect the public's health, to maintain our excellent quality of life and to foster economic development.

The newly proposed Concho River Water Project is a tremendous step toward making San Angelo water secure.
What is the Concho River Water Project?
The Concho River Water Project is a move to extend San Angelo's water supply beyond our reservoirs and the Hickory Aquifer. The project adds a reliable addition to the City's water supply options. It represents a significant step forward in the City's continuing efforts to secure the water it needs to thrive for generations to come.

The project will involve discharging water treated to federal and state standards into the Concho River and then recouping that water farther downstream at a City-owned facility on the river. The water will then be sent to our water treatment plant, where it will be treated even further to drinking standards.
Why is this the leading option for growing San Angelo's water supply?
Cheap, easy-to-develop water supplies are the exception, not the rule. The City commissioned a water feasibility study that assessed 24 possible water supplies. Those included more surface water, more groundwater and direct potable reuse. Based upon the data and information provided by the consultants hired by the City, staff and the City Council agree the project checks all the boxes.

Compared to other options, the project will:

Provide a reliable and secure source of water.

Yield an economical water supply.

Produce water with an improved taste.

Reduce potential legal and political hurdles.

Involve a shorter timeframe in which it can be accomplished.

Utilize proven science in terms of water quality, hydrology and engineering.

Another exciting aspect of the Concho River Water Project is it will piggyback with existing City water infrastructure investments that need to - and likely will - occur with or without the project.
How much water will this project yield?
Approximately 7.5 million gallons per day, even during severe droughts. San Angelo averages about 12 million gallons of daily usage over the course of a year. By comparison, the Hickory Aquifer is currently capable of producing 8 million gallons per day (although an expansion of that to 12 million gallons is underway).

Perhaps the greatest advantage of this project is that it makes greater use of San Angelo's existing water supplies. As a result, it's a guaranteed source of water - one that will expand as our community grows. That is, as San Angelo uses more water, it will be released into the Concho and then recouped for further use.
What's the first step?
The City Council on Sept. 18 approved the pursuit of two necessary state permits: one to release water into the Concho River and the other to recoup the water at City-owned facilities downstream. Additionally, City staff was directed to start designing significant, long-overdue improvements to our water treatment and reclamation facilities.
Why are improvements to the wastewater treatment plant needed?
The Concho River Water Project will involve treating water that passes through our reclamation facility to an even higher quality so (in keeping with the state permit) it can be released into the Concho. Using the river as a "natural pipeline" to move water to our water treatment plant will negate the need for more large transmission lines. Plus, it allows the community to use water that already belongs to us that would otherwise be lost downstream or elsewhere.
Will this take care of all of the City's water supply problems?
The Concho River Water Project, when combined with our reservoirs and the Hickory Aquifer, is projected to move San Angelo a long way toward addressing its water needs through 2070. It will add to and diversify the city's water portfolio. That means San Angelo won't be so reliant on any one source - such as lakes - and can better weather times of drought.

It will also put the City in a far more secure position should one of our water sources be offline. By adding more than 7 million gallons of water per day to our system, this project makes a remarkable difference in San Angelo's water security.

That said, San Angelo will never stop its search for more water. Our regional partnership with the cities of Abilene and Midland will continue its work to develop a long-term water source that can serve all three communities. We will always work non-stop to ensure our community has a bright future.
How much will it cost?
The project is anticipated to cost about $120 million. Coincidentally, that is the same amount spent to develop the Hickory Aquifer. As with that project, the City would pursue low-interest financing through the Texas Water Development Board.

The Concho River Water Project will include upgrades to our aged water and water reclamation plants, the former of which is approximately 100 years old. Those projects would have to be accomplished even if we chose a different water supply or strategy.

Updated plants with 21st-century technology and better treatment capabilities will also allow us to treat water from all of our surface water sources to a higher standard. That should yield a better-tasting water, which is a goal for any water supply project.
How long will it take?
Permitting timelines can range from two to three years, so the project could feasibly be completed within five years. That may well depend upon legal and political challenges.
How is this different than what we currently do?
Currently, the City treats this water and delivers it for irrigation. So, the city will be using a highly valuable resource after treating it to a level that will improve overall water quality.
Is this a reuse project?
This is not a so-called "toilet-to-tap" project, which concerns some. Direct potable reuse would be more expensive and, after the treatment process, would yield less water.

Using rivers and streams to transport treated wastewater has been used for decades. Cities commonly discharge water into a river that is later picked up by a downstream neighbor, or by the city itself, and used for drinking water. In fact, Ballinger, Robert Lee and Winters release its treated wastewater downstream to flow into Ivie Reservoir, San Angelo's primary water source.

The Concho River Water Project will capture San Angelo's own water, expanding and diversifying the city's water portfolio. Because we will be retrieving the same amount of water we are releasing, the efficiency of the Concho River Water Project will be extremely high.

Mayor Gunter on Concho River Water Project

San Angelo's mayor and City Council routinely make decisions that affect individuals and groups. It's not often, however, that we cast a vote that will impact hundreds of thousands of lives for generations to come. Sept. 18 was such a day.

Following an executive session discussion, the Council unanimously agreed to seek a pair of state permits to allow the development of San Angelo's next water source - a supply that will yield at least 7.5 million gallons daily well beyond any of our lifetimes.

After years of study that spanned dozens of options, the City's elected officials and its management are resolute in our pursuit of what we're calling the Concho River Water Project.

In short, this effort will extend San Angelo's water supply beyond our lakes and the Hickory Aquifer. It will give our community a reliable and replenishing source that will see us through even the most severe droughts. And it will produce tastier drinking water at a cost-effective rate.

The Concho River Water Project involves releasing highly treated water from the City's wastewater treatment plant into the Concho River. The river would serve as a natural pipeline and buffer, transporting the water farther downstream to a City-owned facility. From there the water would be piped back to the water treatment plant to undergo further treatment to drinking standards.

After analyzing options that ranged from surface supplies to groundwater to direct reuse, our experts, both in the Water Utilities Department and an outside engineering firm, concluded the Concho River Water Project "checked all the boxes." It will give us:

A reliable and secure source of water.

A cost-effective water supply.

Water that is more aesthetically pleasing.

Fewer legal and political hurdles than are typically involved with developing a supply.

A shorter timeframe in which it can be accomplished.

A process that utilizes proven science in terms of water quality, hydrology and engineering.

That last point refers to the longtime practice of cities nationwide releasing their treated wastewater downstream for use by another community. In fact, Ballinger, Robert Lee and Winters' treated wastewater flows into San Angelo's primary water source, the Ivie Reservoir.

The state permits will ensure our wastewater is treated to a high standard for release into the river. We anticipate the project could be completed within five years at a cost of about $120 million.

Coincidentally, that mirrors the expense of the Hickory Aquifer. As it successfully did for that project, the City will pursue low-interest financing for the river project from the Texas Water Development Board.

Much of the cost of the Concho River Water Project involves badly needed upgrades to our water and wastewater treatment plants - improvements that are necessary independent of this project. That's because parts of the water plant are 100 years old. Updated plants with 21st-century treatment capabilities will also allow us to treat water from our lakes to a higher standard. Designs on those improvements will soon begin.

When finished, the Concho River Water Project will produce approximately 7.5 million gallons per day. That is comparable to the 8 million gallons the Hickory Aquifer can produce (although an expansion to 12 million gallons is underway). The river project equates to about 60 percent of San Angelo's average daily water usage.

Even better, the Concho River Water Project makes greater use of our existing water supplies. How? As San Angelo uses more water, it will eventually be released into the river and recouped for further use.

Lastly, this project will diversify San Angelo's portfolio of water sources, a needed addition to our existing lake supplies and our groundwater in the Hickory. Because we won't be reliant on any one source for water, that will make us more prepared for the sorts of extreme drought we've experienced since 2011. That's an enviable position for any city to be in, particularly in West Texas, where water is scarce.

That does not mean our march for more water is over. Our work with the cities of Abilene and Midland continues, as the West Texas Water Partnership searches for a water source that could serve all three communities. Frankly, the work of finding more water will never end ... nor should it. Such is the importance of water to ensure that San Angelo continues to thrive for generations to come.
Brenda Gunter is the mayor of the City of San Angelo. Contact her at brenda.gunter@cosatx.us.

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Concho River Water Project | City of San Angelo, TX

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The City of San Angelo has identified the leading option for its next water supply and taken the first step toward its development. The Concho River Water Project is a move to extend San Angelo's sources beyond its lakes and the Hickory Aquifer.

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Module Five- Article regarding Community and Economic Development

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Module Five- Article regarding Community and Economic Development

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(Editor's note: Brenda Gunter is mayor of San Angelo and Michael Looney is vice president of Economic Development with the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce)

The 2022 economic development season resulted in several notable successes and further advanced San Angelo's path toward a stronger economy. San Angelo is a unique west Texas community that has deep roots in manufacturing on a national and global scale. While many in San Angelo understand the natural beauty and culture, it may surprise some that our community also has a wide-ranging and robust industrial manufacturing sector. Traditionally, manufacturing sectors are a relatively small percentage of any city's demographic (usually around 6 to 8%) but they yield high percentages of a community's commerce. In fact, per State of Texas statistics published recently, San Angelo's manufacturing exports output value was $348 million with an annual GDP of $8.3 billion.

A Whole Community Development Program

There are two main components of San Angelo's development program - Community Development and Economic Development. Some communities focus on one or the other, while some like San Angelo focus on both. Community Development is what most citizens see and feel, like well-appointed parks, community gardens, public art, recreational areas and streetscape beautification. Economic Development, sometimes more directly called "Industrial Development" is what a lot of citizens don't see as frequently, yet is vital to the progress of the city. The two are not exclusive and both missions compliment each other. Economic Development focuses on activities like industrial enterprise recruitment, support of existing local industrial operations (business retention and expansion), workforce training and tourism development. These are the activities that promote the exportation of San Angelo-made goods and services, resulting in importation of fresh capital into the community. Community Development focuses on important items like physical infrastructure, downtown development, neighborhood development and city aesthetics to enhance quality of life and living standards.

A Team Approach

San Angelo's growth is fostered by the efforts of a lot of hard-working people who have dedicated their careers and energy to the careful development of our city. Some visible Community Development projects that all can see and enjoy the benefit of is the downtown streetscape program that has been a collaborative effort of the City of San Angelo, the Mayor's office and Downtown San Angelo Incorporated. Projects like this not only create a sense of community, foster walkability, and local retail commerce, but they also are a critical component of the concept of "place-making", which creates a visible sense of comfort, organization and attractiveness to visitors and residents. Such place-making programs also work symbiotically with economic/industrial development, in that they show new industrial recruit companies the pride the community has in itself. In fact, a recently recruited industrial company commented multiple times that the downtown street scape program played a role in their decision to come to San Angelo. The comment was "you can feel the pride here." The City of San Angelo Development Corporation, City management, elected leadership and affiliated support organizations understand the important role of Community Development initiatives. These programs are more than just good-looking, they directly and positively impact economic/industrial development too.

Notable Community and economic Development Projects

Some Community Development projects that advanced in 2022 are the innovative Downtown San Angelo Streetscape project, the strategic land clearing and aesthetically-attractive monument signage at the San Angelo Regional Airport, Gateway monument signage at the north and south entry points on Bryant Boulevard, new buildings and enhancement of Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, the excellent results provided by the new Keep San Angelo Beautiful program, and the ongoing success of the City of San Angelo Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

Economic Development milestone projects include the Trans Permian Hydrogen Hub project initiative involvement, completion and full-operation of the brand new SMC Global Chemical plant on Dan Hanks Lane, the completion of the $164 million Concho Valley Solar power plant on Ratliff Road, the opening of the ATL transportation (US-Canada) new US headquarters facility on Gas Plant Road, expanded industrial operations at the San Angelo Rail Port, recruitment of an international biomedical & life science manufacturer and the soon-to-be-announced recruitment of an international electronics component manufacturer from Europe.

Synergy of Efforts

By working together, the City of San Angelo Development Corporation, City of San Angelo, Downtown San Angelo Inc., Chamber of Commerce and Tom Green County, create an environment of confidence and progress that benefits citizens and industry. The stage for the coming year's advancements has already been set, and San Angelo has a lot more coming with many more community and economic development projects are currently in the works and will be announced or completed in 2023.

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Community and economic development in San Angelo - a year of progress

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(Editor's note: Brenda Gunter is mayor of San Angelo and Michael Looney is vice president of Economic Development with the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce) The 2022 economic development season resulted in several notable successes and further advanced San Angelo's path toward a stronger economy.

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Module Four- Community Involvement- San Angelo City Council Meeting Agenda 4-4-23

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Module Four- Community Involvement- San Angelo City Council Meeting Agenda 4-4-23

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Module Four- Community Involvement- City Council Meeting Agenda 4-4-23

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Survey

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Survey

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Template and Example

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Template and Example

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Research

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Research

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What Is a Community Health Assessment?

A community health assessment (sometimes called a CHA), also known as community health needs assessment (sometimes called a CHNA), refers to a state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessment that identifies key health needs and issues through systematic, comprehensive data collection and analysis. Community health assessments use such principles as

Multisector collaborations that support shared ownership of all phases of community health improvement, including assessment, planning, investment, implementation, and evaluation

Proactive, broad, and diverse community engagement to improve results

A definition of community that encompasses both a significant enough area to allow for population-wide interventions and measurable results, and includes a targeted focus to address disparities among subpopulations

Maximum transparency to improve community engagement and accountability

Use of evidence-based interventions and encouragement of innovative practices with thorough evaluation

Evaluation to inform a continuous improvement process

Use of the highest quality data pooled from, and shared among, diverse public and private sources

From (June 2013), Sara Rosenbaum, JD, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Health Policy.

The Public Health Accreditation board defines community health assessment as a systematic examination of the health status indicators for a given population that is used to identify key problems and assets in a community. The ultimate goal of a community health assessment is to develop strategies to address the community's health needs and identified issues. A variety of tools and processes may be used to conduct a community health assessment; the essential ingredients are community engagement and collaborative participation.
-Turnock B. Public Health: What It Is and How It Works. Jones and Bartlett, 2009, as adapted in , July 2011.

The Catholic Health Association defines a community health needs assessment as a systematic process involving the community to identify and analyze community health needs and assets in order to prioritize these needs, and to plan and act upon unmet community health needs."
-Catholic Health Association, , June 2013.

What Is a Community Health Improvement Plan?

A community health improvement plan (or CHIP) is a long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems based on the results of community health assessment activities and the community health improvement process. A plan is typically updated every three to five years.

The Public Health Accreditation Board defines a community health improvement plan as a long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems on the basis of the results of community health assessment activities and the community health improvement process. This plan is used by health and other governmental education and human service agencies, in collaboration with community partners, to set priorities and coordinate and target resources. A community health improvement plan is critical for developing policies and defining actions to target efforts that promote health. It should define the vision for the health of the community through a collaborative process and should address the gamut of strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities that exist in the community to improve the health status of that community.
-, July 2011, as adapted fromHealthy People 2010External and CDC's National Public Health Performance Standards Program.

Why Complete an Assessment and Improvement Plan?

A community health assessment gives organizations comprehensive information about the community's current health status, needs, and issues. This information can help develop a community health improvement plan by justifying how and where resources should be allocated to best meet community needs.

Benefits include

Improved organizational and community coordination and collaboration

Increased knowledge about public health and the interconnectedness of activities

Strengthened partnerships within state and local public health systems

Identified strengths and weaknesses to address in quality improvement efforts

Baselines on performance to use in preparing for accreditation

Benchmarks for public health practice improvements

Links to nonfederal materials are provided as a public service and do not constitute an endorsement of the materials by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of materials not generated by CDC.

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state local and tribal health departments

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CDC - Assessment and Plans - Community Health Assessment - STLT Gateway

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A community health assessment (sometimes called a CHA), also known as community health needs assessment (sometimes called a CHNA), refers to a state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessment that identifies key health needs and issues through systematic, comprehensive data collection and analysis.

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Research

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Module Three- Community Needs Assessment Research

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Learn how to analyze community problems to better understand root causes and plan effective interventions.

Communities have problems, just like people

Problems are part of life. We all deal with individual problems, families have family issues, and communities have community problems. Communities must come together to solve their problems, just like families.

When communities try to solve problems, they start just like individuals do. They must reflect and analyze the issue to help come to a solution. But, before discussing solutions, problems must be identified.

So, after discussing a little bit about what problems look like, this section will explain what analyzing community problems is about, why it can be helpful, and then how to do it.

What is a community problem?

Problems can arise in any part of a community and come from any aspect of community life. There's a long list of nominees, and you probably know some of the main contenders. Can you name the leading problems in your community? Chances are you can at least start the list.

Below are examples of community problems:

Example Community Problems: Adolescent pregnancy, access to clean drinking water, child abuse and neglect, crime, domestic violence, drug use, pollution, mismanagement of resources, lack of funding for schools and services, ethnic conflict, health disparities, HIV/ AIDS, hunger, inadequate emergency services, inequality, jobs, lack of affordable housing, poverty, transportation, violence, racism and police brutality.

What others would you add?

Rather than aim for a complete problem list, here are some criteria you may consider when identifying community problems:

The problem occurs too frequently (frequency)

The problem has lasted for a while (duration)

The problem affects many people (scope, or range)

The problem is disrupting to personal or community life, and possibly intense (severity)

The problem deprives people of legal or moral rights (equity)

The issue is perceived as a problem (perception)

This last criterion, perception, is an important one, and can also help indicate readiness for addressing the issue within the community.

What is seen as a problem can vary from place to place and group to group in the same community. Although there's no official definition of a community problem, the above examples and criteria above should help you begin to name and analyze community problems.

Why should I analyze a community problem?

Analyzing community problems is a way of thinking carefully about a problem or issue before acting on a solution. It first involves identifying reasons a problem exists and then, identifying possible solutions and a plan for improvement.

Example: The downtown area of a community is declining. Stores are closing, and moving out; no new stores are moving in. We want to revitalize that downtown. How should we do it?
Our thinking here is simple:

We should start by analyzing why the decline is taking place, that is, why the problem is occurring. Without knowing causes, we cannot fix the problem. Jumping in and trying to fix it without analysis can cause a bigger problem and waste resources.

An in-depth analysis will lead to better long-run solutions.

Starting with an analysis can help...
To better identify what the problem or issue is.
Kids gather on the street. Sometimes they drink, and sometimes, they get rowdy. What is the problem here? The drinking, the rowdiness, the gathering itself? Or, is it possible that kids have nowhere else to go and few positive alternatives for engagement? Before looking for solutions, you would want to clarify just what is the problem (or problems) here. Unless you are clear, it's hard to move forward.

Problems are usually symptoms of something else. What is that something? We should find out.
To determine the barriers and resources associated with addressing the problem.
It's good practice and planning to anticipate barriers and obstacles before they might arise. By doing so, you can mitigate them. Analyzing community problems can also help you understand the resources you need. The better equipped you are with the right resources and support, the higher your chances of success.
To develop the best action steps for addressing the problem.
Having a plan of action is always better than taking a few random shots at the problem. If you know where you are going, you are more likely to get there.

Having a deeper understanding of a problem before you start trying to solve it helps you cover all of your bases. There's nothing worse for member involvement and morale than beginning to work on a problem, and running up against lots of obstacles, especially when they are avoidable.

When you take a little time to examine a problem first, you can anticipate some of these obstacles before they come up, and give yourself and your members better odds of coming up with a successful solution.

When should I analyze a community problem?

Every community problem benefits from analysis. The only possible exception is when the problem is an immediate crisis that requires action at this very moment. And even then, reviews should be conducted after to help plan for the next crisis.
However, there are conditions when an analysis is especially critical:

When the community problem is not defined clearly

When little is known about the community problem or its possible consequences

When you want to find causes that may improve the chance of successfully addressing the problem

When people are jumping to conclusions and solutions much too soon

When you need to find collaborative partners to help take action.

How should I analyze a community problem?

The ultimate goal is to understand the problem better and to deal with it more effectively, so the method you choose should accomplish that goal. We'll offer some step-by-step guidelines here and go over a couple of specific ways to determine the causes of the problem.

1. Justify the choice of the problem.

Apply the criteria we've listed above - frequency, duration, range, severity, equity, perception - as well as asking yourself whether your organization or another can address it effectively, in order to decide whether the problem is one that you should focus on.

Let's take the problem we used as an example earlier: The percentage of overweight and obese children in the community has been steadily increasing, and now approaches 25%. Since we know that childhood obesity tends to lead to adult obesity, and that obesity and being overweight are linked to chronic conditions - diabetes, heart disease, stroke - this is a problem that needs to be addressed now. Our organization has the will and the ability to do it.

2. Frame the problem.

State the problem without implying a solution or blaming anyone, so that you can analyze it without any assumptions and build consensus around whatever solution you arrive at. One way is to state it in terms of a lack of a positive behavior, condition, or other factor, or the presence or size of a negative behavior, condition, or other factor.

There are too many children in the community who are overweight or obese. The problem is particularly serious among low-income families.

3. Identify whose behavior and/or what and how environmental factors need to change for the problem to begin to be solved.
This can be as straightforward as individuals changing their behavior from smoking to not smoking, or as complex as persuading legislators to change laws and policies (e.g., non-smoking ordinances) in order to change others' behavior (smokers don't smoke in buildings or enclosed spaces used by the public) in order to benefit yet another group by changing the environment (children are protected from secondhand smoke in public.)

All, and particularly low-income, children should have the opportunity and the motivation to eat more healthily and exercise more. Parents may need to change their children's - and perhaps their own - diets, and schools may need to adjust their lunch programs and exercise schedules. In low-income neighborhoods, there needs to be greater access to healthy food and more safe places for children to play or participate in sports, both outdoors and indoors.

4. Analyze the root causes of the problem.
The real cause of a problem may not be immediately apparent. It may be a function of a social or political system, or may be rooted in a behavior or situation that may at first glance seem unrelated to it. In order to find the underlying cause, you may have to use one or more analytical methods, including critical thinking and the "But Why?" technique.

Very briefly, the latter consists of stating the problem as you perceive it and asking "But why?" The next step is to answer that question as well as you can and then asking again, "But why?" By continuing this process until you get an answer that can't be reduced further, you can often get to the underlying cause of the problem, which will tell you where to direct your efforts to solve it.

The difference between recognizing a problem and finding its root cause is similar to the difference between a doctor's treating the symptoms of a disease and actually curing the disease. Once a disease is understood well enough to cure, it is often also understood well enough to prevent or eliminate. Similarly, once you understand the root causes of a community problem, you may be able not only to solve it, but to establish systems or policies that prevent its return.

There are too many children in the community who are overweight or obese. The problem is particularly serious among low-income families. (But why?)

Because many low-income children don't eat a healthy diet and don't exercise enough. (But why?)

Because their parents, in many cases, don't have the knowledge of what a healthy diet consists of, and because, even if they did, they lack access in their neighborhoods to healthy foods - no supermarkets, produce markets, farmers' markets, or restaurants serving healthy food - and therefore shop at convenience stores and eat out at fast food places. Kids don't play outside because it's too dangerous - gang activity and drug dealing make the street no place for children. (But why?)

Parents may never have been exposed to information about healthy food - they simply don't have the knowledge. Market owners view low-income neighborhoods as unprofitable and dangerous places to do business. The streets are dangerous because there are few job opportunities in the community, and young men turn to making money in any way possible.

By this point, you should have a fair understanding of why kids don't eat healthily or get enough exercise. As you continue to question, you may begin to think about advocacy with local officials for incentives to bring supermarkets to low-income neighborhoods, or for after-school programs that involve physical exercise, or for parent nutrition education or for anti-gang programs...or for all of these and other efforts besides. Or continued questioning may reveal deeper causes that you feel your organization can tackle.

5. Identify the restraining and driving forces that affect the problem.
This is called a force field analysis. It means looking at the restraining forces that act to keep the problem from changing (social structures, cultural traditions, ideology, politics, lack of knowledge, lack of access to healthy conditions, etc.) and the driving forces that push it toward change (dissatisfaction with the way things are, public opinion, policy change, ongoing public education efforts, existing alternatives to unhealthy or unacceptable activity or conditions, etc.) Consider how you can use your understanding of these forces in devising solutions to the problem.

Forces restraining change here include:

The desirability and availability of junk food - kids like it because it tastes good (we're programmed as a species to like fat, salt, and sugar), and you can get it on every corner in practically any neighborhood.

The reluctance of supermarket chains to open stores in low-income neighborhoods.

The domination of the streets by gangs and drug dealers.

Some forces driving change might be:

Parents' concern about their children's weight.

Children's desire to participate in sports or simply to be outdoors.

Media stories about the problem of childhood obesity and its consequences for children, both now and in their later lives.

A full force field analysis probably would include many more forces in each category.

6. Find any relationships that exist among the problem you're concerned with and others in the community.
In analyzing root causes, you may have already completed this step. It may be that other problems stem from the same root cause, and that there are other organizations with whom you could partner. Understanding the relationships among community issues can be an important step toward resolving them.

We've already seen connections to lack of education, unemployment, lack of after-school programs, and gang violence and crime, among other issues. Other organizations may be working on one or more of these, and a collaboration might help both of you to reach your goals.

7. Identify personal factors that may contribute to the problem.
Whether the problem involves individual behavior or community conditions, each individual affected by it brings a whole collection of knowledge (some perhaps accurate, some perhaps not), beliefs, skills, education, background, experience, culture, and assumptions about the world and others, as well as biological and genetic traits. Any or all of these might contribute to the problem or to its solution...or both.

A few examples:

Genetic predisposition for diabetes and other conditions.

Lack of knowledge about healthy nutrition.

Lack of knowledge/ skills for preparing healthy foods.

8. Identify environmental factors that may contribute to the problem.
Just as there are factors relating to individuals that may contribute to or help to solve the problem you're concerned with, there are also factors within the community environment that may do the same. These might include the availability or lack of services, information, and other support; the degree of accessibility and barriers to, and opportunities for services, information, and other support; the social, financial, and other costs and benefits of change; and such overarching factors as poverty, living conditions, official policy, and economic conditions.

Sample environmental factors:

Poverty

Lack of employment and hope for young men in low-income neighborhoods

Lack of availability of healthy food in low-income neighborhoods

General availability - at school as well as elsewhere - of snack foods high in salt, sugar, and fat

Constant media bombardment of advertising of unhealthy snacks, drinks, and fast food

9. Identify targets and agents of change for addressing the problem.
Whom should you focus your efforts on, and who has the power to improve the situation? Often, these may be the same people. The best solution to a particular problem may be policy change of some sort, for instance, and the best route to that may be to mount an advocacy effort aimed at officials who can make it happen. People who are suffering from lack of skills or services may be the ones who can do the most to change their situation. In other cases, your targets may be people whose behavior or circumstances need to change, and you may want to recruit agents of change to work with you in your effort. The point of this step is to understand where and how to direct your work most effectively.

Targets of change might include:

Parents of children in low-income neighborhoods (or all parents in the community) for education purposes
The children themselves
Elementary and middle school teachers
School officials responsible for school food programs
Executives and Public Relations officers of supermarket chains
Gang members and youth at risk of becoming gang members

A short list of potential agents of change:

Parents of children in low-income neighborhoods (or all parents in the community) as controllers of their children's diets
The Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, and school administrators, as well as those directly responsible for school food programs
Local public officials who could create incentives for markets to move into underserved neighborhoods
Community Recreation Commissions, school officials, YMCAs, and other entities that might create safe outdoor and indoor physical activity programs for children
Community hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices
Public relations offices of national or regional fast food restaurant chains

With your analysis complete, you can develop a strategic plan that speaks to the real causes of the problem and focuses on those targets and/or agents of change that are most likely to contribute to improving the situation.

Going beyond the basics -- does analysis really work?

Try this analysis out with a current problem in your own community setting.

What do you conclude? We hope you'll find some value in analysis. We do know that when we have tried this method with real problems in our own communities, we have drawn some additional conclusions of our own, going beyond the basics:

Analyzing community problems can be hard work. It takes real mental effort. We're not used to sitting down and thinking deeply about a problem. (We're too busy!)

Real community problems are likely to be complex. Economic development may depend on the global economy, a force you can't have much effect on. You may have opposition, either from within the community itself, or from powerful forces trying to protect their own interests.

When you go looking for reasons and underlying causes for significant problems, you are likely to find more than one. Several different reasons may be influencing the problem, in different amounts, all at the same time. It may not be an easy task to untangle all the reasons and their relative strengths, but it may be necessary in order to reach a solution.

The problem may not only have more than one reason; it may have more than one solution too. Problems often call for multi-pronged solutions. That is, difficult problems often must be approached from more than one direction. So in revitalizing the downtown, you might want to (a) beautify the streets; (b) expand the staff of the chamber of commerce; (c) run sidewalk sales; (d) look for outside loans; and (e) recruit new businesses. These are all parts of the solution. Many different types of actions might be necessary for revitalization.

When analyzing real community problems, the analysis may show multiple reasons behind the problem. The analysis may not always be easy. The solution may be more difficult still.

But that's why problems are problems. Community problems exist precisely because they often resist clear analysis and solution. They persist despite our efforts. They can be real challenges.

Yet this doesn't mean we are helpless. Analysis, including the analytic methods we have described, can take you a long way. With good analysis, some resources, and enough determination, we believe even the most troublesome problems can be addressed, and ultimately, solved.

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Learn how to analyze community problems to better understand root causes and plan effective interventions. Problems are part of life. We all deal with individual problems, families have family issues, and communities have community problems. Communities must come together to solve their problems, just like families.

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Module Two- Knowing Your Community Presentation

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Module Two- Knowing Your Community Presentation

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Final Presentation Link - https://prezi.com/view/3afowz8mTRh5Q2O3iOiX/

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Amber Feuay EDG 6343 Dr. Kinsey Hansen Spring B 2023 Knowing Your Community San Angelo, Texas Demographic Analysis Demographics Population: 122,063 (as of 2022) Median Age: 34.8 Sex: 50% equal male/female Race & Ethnicity: 47% White, 44% Hispanic, 3% Black, 3% Two or More Races,

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San Angelo Demographics:

Community Demographics regarding population, poverty rate, unemployment, educational status, economically disadvantaged percentages, etc.

Education: K-12 systems, private schools, and higher education

Businesses: Totals, Small Business Development, Major Employers

Non-Profits: List and purpose

Media Outlets: News Sources, Radio, TV, Social Media, Publications

References:
About PAWS (2021) Concho Valley PAWS. Available at: https://cvpaws.org/about-paws/

ASU Small Business Development Center (2022) Angelo State University. Available at: https://www.angelo.edu/community/small-business-development-center/

Census profile: San Angelo, TX. (n.d.). Census Reporter. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US4864472-san-angelo-tx/

Habitat for Humanity San Angelo (2023) HFHSA. Available at: https://www.habitatsanangelo.org/

Institutional Data. (n.d.). www.Angelo.edu. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.angelo.edu/administrative-support/accountability/research_data.php

Major employers 2020. San Angelo Economic Development Corporation. Available at: https://economicdevelopmentsanangelo.com/workforce/major-employers/

Meals for the elderly san angelo (2023) Meals For The Elderly San Angelo :: Homebound Meal Service. Available at: https://www.mealsfortheelderly.org/

Neighbors helping neighbors: San angelo, Texas (2022) Rust Street Ministries. Available at: http://ruststreetministries.org/

QuickFacts 2022-23 – Howard College. Available at: https://howardcollege.edu/home/about/institutional-effectiveness/

San Angelo Chamber of Commerce (2019). Chamber of Commerce San Angelo, TX - ChamberofCommerce.com. Available at: https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/united-states/texas/san-angelo/#:~:text=San%20Angelo%20is%20considered%20a%20Large%20Town%20with,people%20and%20has%20an%20unemployment%20rate%20of%204.1%25.

San Angelo : Southwest Information Office : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/regions/southwest/tx_sanangelo_msa.htm

San Angelo ISD. (2015, December 8). Texas Public Schools. https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/san-angelo-isd/

U.S. Census Bureau quickfacts: San Angelo City, Texas (2021) Quickfacts. US Census Bureau. Available at: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/sanangelocitytexas

Welcome to San Angelo Area Foundation! :: San Angelo Area Foundation. (n.d.). Www.saafound.org. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.saafound.org/