Early Years Collaborative: Mapping Community Assets

Transcription

1 Early Years Collaborative: Mapping Community Assets Learning Session One Ninon Lewis

2 Our Vision 2.Nothing about this community without this community.

3 3 Our Areas of Focus Understand the basic principles of Asset Based Community Development and how it differs from a needs based approach Explore techniques for mapping assets within your community Begin to map your community assets here today with the opportunity to do further exploration with your home team after the Learning Session

4 A couple of important notes before we begin 4 You are the experts. No really, you are the experts. If you have already begun an asset mapping effort within your CPP, build upon that and share your experience with others!

5 A Shift From Needs-Focused Assessment A need is defined as a gap or difference between a current situation and the ideal or desired situation. Most needs assessments are used to identify what the gaps are within a community, how to prioritize those gaps, and how to make decisions about which needs can be addressed through a particular intervention. Sounds great, right?

6 A Shift From Needs-Focused Assessment Needs-focused assessments risk defining an organization, neighborhood, or community by its problems - that generally require outside expertise and resources to "fix." (Roehlkepartain, 2005) Needs-focused assessments can have negative effects even when a positive change is intended because they force community leaders to highlight their communities' worst side in order to attract resources.

7 Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) 7 John McKnight and John Kretzman Built on the notion that communities have never been built on their deficiencies, rather on the capacities and assets of the people and the place. Does not imply ignoring problems and needs and throwing out rational, strategic planning; rather it is a rallying point for collective action.

8 8 Can you tell us what people who live here have done together to make things better? Building Communities From the Inside Out, 1993

9 Community Asset Mapping: A Shift From Needs-Focused Approach

10 Key Elements of An Assets/Strengths-Based Approach 1. Focus on the capacities or gifts that are present in the community, not what is absent 2. Stress local leadership, investment, and control in both the planning process and the outcome 3. Surface both formal, institutional resources (such as programs, facilities, and financial capital) as well as individual, associational, and informal strengths and resources 4. Seek to link the strengths and priorities of all partners, including the people

11 The Asset of Individuals and Families 11 We are unapologetically and unabashedly about children and families. Stuck for change ideas? Talk to children and families. Act with the individual, learn for the population

12 12

13 Beginning Your Asset Mapping Effort Primary Building Blocks: Assets and capacities located inside the community, largely under community control Secondary Building Blocks: Assets located within the community, but largely controlled by outsiders Potential Building Blocks: Resources originating outside the neighborhood, controlled by outsiders

14 Needs Focused Map McKnight & Kretzmann, 1996

15 McKnight & Kretzmann, 1996 Assets Focused Map

16 Healthy Northeast Initiative Community Asset Map

17 Beginning Your Asset Map Who is doing work now? Who are the movers and shakers? Who gets things done? How has the community met challenges or accomplished goals in the past? What is the nature of social connectedness, cohesion and affiliation among neighbors (social capital) What are the prominent community values and interest groups? What are the perspectives on what a healthy and thriving child is? Where are the sources of community pride?

18 Let s talk about community pride 18

19 Glenelg-Skye Ferry (The Glenachulish) 19

20 Glenelg-Skye Ferry (The Glenachulish) 20

21 Start Your Asset Map (15 Mins) 21 INDIVIDUAL/CAPACITY INSTITUTIONAL/GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONAL SOURCES OF COMMUNITY PRIDE OTHER CAPITAL

22 Start Your Asset Map (15 Mins) 22 Start by thinking through your Primary Building Blocks in each of the areas. BE SURE TO COVER YOUR SOURCES OF COMMUNITY PRIDE! This is just the start of the map. You ll refine and continue with your home team.

23 Report Out 23 What is one of your sources of community pride?

24 24 Nothing about this community without this community.