course material

1. Complete a community assessment on your chosen location using the
community assessment worksheet
Community Assessment WorksheetGUIDELINES FOR A WINDSHIELD SURVEY· Use a map.
Google Maps or similar services are an excellent resource· Drive at a moderate speed, and
avoid unexpected actions· Drive both on major and minor streets, particularly in residential
neighborhoods. You’ll want to get a sense of different parts of neighborhoods and different
streets.· Pull over at regular intervals to make notes. DO NOT WRITE OR TAKE PICTURES
WHILE DRIVING. AVOID DISTRACTED DRIVING AT ALL TIMES.· Try to be inconspicuous,
but if asked what you are doing be honest.GUIDELINES FOR A WALKING SURVEY· Study a
map beforehand· For safety sake, we recommend that you do not perform any part of the
windshield survey alone. Try not to take more than 2 people. Two or three people walking
together are a normal group, but five or six is a crowd, and stands out. Plan to perform the
windshield survey during daylight hours only.· If you want to experience the community,
take part in everyday activities. Take public transportation, eat in a local restaurant, buy
something in a drugstore or supermarket or discount store. This will give you a chance to
listen to people’s conversations and to get a sense of how they interact.· Go inside public
buildings and cultural institutionsIf you have the time, combine the windshield and walking
survey techniques over several trips in order to get a feel for the daily variations – try to
alternate the time of day, if possible.As always, please consider your safety in completing
the survey. Chose a different day to go if there are poor driving conditions, and do not go
into areas that feel unsafe.You will note that the survey asks you to talk to residents: please
do not leave this step out! The people in the community know more about it than you can
learn from walking/driving through. Be sensible about whom you talk with and what is
going on around you, and be respectful. You may find varying perspectives from different
members of the community – this adds to the depth of your findings.Common sources of
data to supplement the windshield survey include: US Census data, Chamber of Commerce,
community libraries, social service agencies, RTD, US Department of Labor, your state
Department of Public Health and Department of Education, police and fire departments,
local public health agencies, local stores.You must address each required subsection of the
survey, but the questions that are included on the worksheet are to be used as a guideline
only. You might want to include additional information to address your specific
location.Adapted from Anderson & McFarlane (2011) Community as Partner: Theory and
Practice in Nursing, 6th ed. Lippincott, Williams & WilkinsUse this tool to complete the

2. windshield surveyWindshield Survey WorksheetOBSERVATIONS/DATAI. Community
Core1. History–Is there any pertinent history for your location (e.g., old, established
neighborhoods; new subdivision)? Is it a rural, suburban or urban community? What is your
feel of the population density?2. Demographics–What is the population of the community?
Has the community experienced a recent increase or loss of population (in-migration versus
out-migration)? What are the age, gender and racial distribution of the community? Can you
find birth and death rates for the community?3. Ethnicity–Do you note indicators of
different ethnic groups (e.g., restaurants, festivals)? What signs do you see of different
cultural groups, if any? Is there a predominant culture?4. Religion–Are there churches,
mosques, temples? Where are they located within the community? Any religious schools? Is
there evidence of religious homogeneity or diversity?II. Subsystems1. Physical
Environment–How does the community look? What is the age and condition of the majority
of housing? Do housing conditions vary in different parts of the community? How is the land
used (open space, residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial)? Is there any evidence of
pollution (water, soil, air) or environmental concerns (rodents, trash)? What is the size (e.g.,
square miles, blocks)?2. Health & Social Services–What are the major causes of morbidity
and mortality? What is the infant mortality rate and teenage pregnancy rate? Are there any
’traditional” healers (e.g., curanderos, herbalists)? Are there clinics, ambulances, hospitals,
practitioners’ offices, home health agencies, urgent or emergency care centers, nursing
homes, social service facilities, mental health services?3. Economy and Safety–Do you see
signs of economic growth such as real estate signs or new construction, remodeling or
street repair? Do you see signs of community decline such as trash, abandoned cars, graffiti
or rundown housing?Are there industries, stores, places for employment? What occupations
(retail, industrial, farming, service, government, tourism or unemployed) are represented in
the community? Where do people grocery shop, inside or outside of the community?Is there
a difference in types of stores available in different neighborhoods or parts of the
community?What is the unemployment rate? What types of protective services are there
(e.g., fire, police)? What types of crimes are committed here? What is the geographic
distribution of crimes? Are there any signs of neighborhood watch programs?4.
Transportation –How do people get around? What type of private and public transportation
is available? Do you see buses, bicycles, taxis? Are there sidewalks, bike trails? Is getting
around in the community possible for people with disabilities?5. Politics and Government–
What is the local governmental jurisdiction of the community and how is it organized (e.g.,
elected mayor, city council with single member districts)? What services does the local
government provide to residents?6. Public Health–What is the local health department?
How big is the agency and what population does it serve? What services are provided?7.
Education–Are there schools in the area? Do they look well-maintained and how are they
rated academically? What are the drop-out rates? How far are the schools from the center of
the community? Are there any school health services? Are there any higher-education
schools available in the community? Are there any libraries?8. Recreation–Where do
children play? What are the major forms of recreation? What facilities for recreation do you
see? Are there any movie theatres, bowling alleys or amusement parks in the area? Are
there any recreation programs aimed at specific groups such as seniors or preschoolers?III.

3. InterviewsThe Residents–How do people feel about the community? What do they identify
as its strengths? Do people feel safe? Any problems that they see in the community? Any
changes they would like to see made? Ask several people from different groups (e.g., old,
young, field worker, factory worker, professional, minister, housewife) and keep track of
who gives what answer. DO NOT AGGREGATE YOUR INTERVIEWS. STATE WHO SAID
WHAT. Attempt to gain interviews from people whom you believe might be “stakeholders”,
if possible.2. Your Perceptions–General statements about the “health” of this community.
What are its strengths or assets? Upon completion of the windshield survey, what health-
related problems can you identify for this community? (Be specific)Note: Supplement your
impressions with information from the census, police records, school statistics, chamber of
commerce data, and health department reports, and so on to confirm or refute your
conclusions. Tables, graphs, and maps are helpful and will aid in your analysis.