Step 2: Getting Started

Getting Started

At this point, the community working group should develop a specific action plan for conducting the community assessment. Before beginning the assessment process it is important to understand the key steps involved:

Securing resources
Develop an estimate of the resources that will be needed to conduct the assessment. These resources can include human resources (person-power, expertise and influence), financial resources and physical resources (meeting rooms, computers, etc.)
Collecting the Data
The simplest types of data to collect are those that are readily available to the public through published documents, websites, or by contacting local agencies.

Some of the resources for community data include:

Local health departments
Local social service departments
Parks and Recreation departments
Boards of education
Voluntary agencies
Hospitals
Major employers or chamber of commerce
Colleges and Universities
Qualitative community opinion data

Analyzing the Data
To add meaning to the data you have collected, it is often helpful to compare the town with other Connecticut towns or with the state as a whole. When making such comparisons, try to compare the town with either nearby towns or towns of a similar size, economic, or demographic profile.
Presenting the Data
Consider who you will be presenting to, such as potential funders, town officials or parents, and what level of information would interest them. Be prepared to discuss the source and limitations of the information that is being presented.