Asset Mapping as a Tool for Identifying Resources in Community Health: A Methodological Overview
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paper_title: An asset-based community initiative to reduce television viewing in New York state

paper_content:

Abstract Background. Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Addressing this problem will require the input of many sectors and change in many behaviors. The “community” must be part of the solution, and the solution must be constructed on existing assets that lend strength to positive environmental change. Objective. To catalyze an established asset-based community partnership to support efforts to reduce television viewing time by developing and providing alternative activities as part of a broader, 3-year study to reduce childhood obesity among preschool-aged children in rural, upstate New York. Method. Asset mapping was utilized to compile an inventory of individual and community strengths upon which a partnership could be established. Facilitated focus group sessions were conducted to better understand childcare environmental policies and practices, and to guide changes conducive to health and fitness. Planning meetings and targeted outreach brought key stakeholders together for a community-participatory initiative to support positive environmental change. Results. The partnership planned and initiated an array of after-school and weekend community activities for preschool-aged children and their families in the weeks preceding, during, and following a designated ‘TV Turn-off’ week in April, 2004 and March, 2005. Conclusion. Methods of asset-based community development are an effective way to engage community participation in public health initiatives.
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paper_title: The Philosophical Assumptions, Utility and Challenges of Asset Mapping Approaches to Community Engagement

paper_content:

This literature review is a discussion of asset-based approaches to community engagement. Following a literature search, we identified several asset mapping approaches: Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD); Participatory Inquiry into Religious Health Assets, Networks and Agency (PIRHANA); Community Health Assets Mapping for Partnerships (CHAMP); the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA); Planning for Real® and approaches using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These approaches are framed by assumptions about ‘assets’, ‘needs’, and ‘community’ and their associated community engagement methods that may be influenced by dynamics related to conflict, competition and language. We conclude that asset mapping approaches derive their value from their capacities to support partnership building, consensus creation, and community agency and control.
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paper_title: Community Health Asset Mapping Partnership Engages Hispanic/Latino Health Seekers and Providers.

paper_content:

BACKGROUND ::: The Hispanic/Latino population in Forsyth County, North Carolina, is growing quickly and experiencing significant disparities in access to care and health outcomes. Assessing community perceptions and utilization of health care resources in order to improve health equity among Hispanics/Latinos at both the county and state levels is critical. ::: ::: ::: METHODS ::: Our community engagement process was guided by the Community Health Assets Mapping Partnerships (CHAMP) approach, which helps identify gaps in health care availability and areas for immediate action to improve access to and quality of health care. Specifically, we invited and encouraged the Hispanic/Latino population to participate in 4 different workshops conducted in Spanish or English. Participants were identified as either health care providers, defined as anyone who provides health care or a related service, or health care seekers, defined as anyone who utilizes such services. ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: The most commonly cited challenges to access to care were cost of health care, documentation status, lack of public transportation, racism, lack of care, lack of respect, and education/language. These data were utilized to drive continued engagement with the Hispanic community, and action steps were outlined. ::: ::: ::: LIMITATIONS ::: While participation in the workshops was acceptable, greater representation of health care seekers and community providers is needed. ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSIONS ::: This process is fundamental to multilevel initiatives under way to develop trust and improve relationships between the Hispanic/Latino community and local health care entities in Forsyth County. Follow-through on recommended action steps will continue to further identify disparities, close gaps in care, and potentially impact local and state policies with regard to improving the health status of the Hispanic/Latino community.
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paper_title: Getting past the dual logic: findings from a pilot asset mapping exercise in Sheffield, UK

paper_content:

Asset-based approaches seek to identify and mobilise the personal, social and organisational resources available to communities. Asset mapping is a recognised method of gathering an inventory of neighbourhood assets and is underpinned by a fundamentally different logic to traditional needs assessments. The aim of this paper is to explore how asset mapping might be used as a tool for health improvement. It reports on a qualitative evaluation of a pilot asset mapping project carried out in two economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Sheffield, UK. The project involved community health champions working with two community organisations to identify assets linked to the health and wellbeing of their neighbourhoods. The evaluation was undertaken in 2012 after mapping activities had been completed. A qualitative design, using theory of change methodology, was used to explore assumptions between activities, mechanisms and outcomes. Semi structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 11 stakeholders including champions, community staff and strategic partners. Thematic analysis was used and themes were identified on the process of asset mapping, the role of champions and the early outcomes for neighbourhoods and services. Findings showed that asset mapping was developmental and understandings grew as participatory activities were planned and implemented. The role of the champions was limited by numbers involved, nonetheless meaningful engagement occurred with residents which led to personal and social resources being identified. Most early outcomes were focused on the lead community organisations. There was less evidence of results feeding into wider planning processes because of the requirements for more quantifiable information. The paper discusses the importance of relational aspects of asset mapping both within communities and between communities and services. The conclusions are that it is insufficient to switch from the logic of needs to assets without building asset mapping as part of a broader planning process.
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paper_title: Engaging community change: the critical role of values in asset mapping

paper_content:

Asset mapping has emerged as a promising tool for mobilizing and sustaining positive changes related to community health and wellbeing. In contrast to approaches that focus on communities' needs or deficits, asset mapping harnesses community resources in order to foster transformation and growth. In this article, the authors analyze asset mapping workshops, which focused on access to food and safe places to be active, that were conducted in two North Carolina (USA) study communities. The authors highlight the results of the workshops and show how they demonstrate the underlying values expressed by participants. Community members differ in what they value within existing community structures and what their priorities are in determining the direction of future efforts. This article argues that an understanding of why organizations are named as exemplary in their improvement of access to healthy foods or places to be active allows community members and leaders to connect assets in ways that are rooted in community values and the realities of existing community and social structures.
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paper_title: Asset Mapping at Halifax Public Libraries: A Tool for Beginning to Discover the Library’s Role with the Immigrant Community in Halifax

paper_content:

As library systems across Canada begin to grapple with the implications community-led service planning has on program and service development, new tools are being developed to assist library staff. Asset mapping is one community entry tool which allows library staff to access community members (or organizational representatives) and gather in-depth information impacting services and program identification, development, and implementation – either across a library system or within a branch catchment. By using this tool, through face-to-face conversations with service providers, library staff find out about existing community assets (such as programs and services different organizations offer) and begin to develop relationships with community members receiving services. Asset mapping provides libraries with information to identify priority services that complement existing community resources. The information collected extends beyond a directory and is used to develop and deliver services relevant to the needs of community. ::: ::: This paper, based on a presentation given at the 2011 Canadian Library Association conference, discusses asset mapping as a first step to actively engaging community. As a first step in the engagement process, it specifically focuses on the process of asset mapping organizations that provide services to immigrants. Asset mapping is a powerful tool which can be implemented by librarians with any group of interest in order to understand community identified information needs, determine existing community strengths and assets, and to help understand the library's role in developing service and program responses to these needs.
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paper_title: An asset-based community initiative to reduce television viewing in New York state

paper_content:

Abstract Background. Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Addressing this problem will require the input of many sectors and change in many behaviors. The “community” must be part of the solution, and the solution must be constructed on existing assets that lend strength to positive environmental change. Objective. To catalyze an established asset-based community partnership to support efforts to reduce television viewing time by developing and providing alternative activities as part of a broader, 3-year study to reduce childhood obesity among preschool-aged children in rural, upstate New York. Method. Asset mapping was utilized to compile an inventory of individual and community strengths upon which a partnership could be established. Facilitated focus group sessions were conducted to better understand childcare environmental policies and practices, and to guide changes conducive to health and fitness. Planning meetings and targeted outreach brought key stakeholders together for a community-participatory initiative to support positive environmental change. Results. The partnership planned and initiated an array of after-school and weekend community activities for preschool-aged children and their families in the weeks preceding, during, and following a designated ‘TV Turn-off’ week in April, 2004 and March, 2005. Conclusion. Methods of asset-based community development are an effective way to engage community participation in public health initiatives.
---
paper_title: An asset-based community initiative to reduce television viewing in New York state

paper_content:

Abstract Background. Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Addressing this problem will require the input of many sectors and change in many behaviors. The “community” must be part of the solution, and the solution must be constructed on existing assets that lend strength to positive environmental change. Objective. To catalyze an established asset-based community partnership to support efforts to reduce television viewing time by developing and providing alternative activities as part of a broader, 3-year study to reduce childhood obesity among preschool-aged children in rural, upstate New York. Method. Asset mapping was utilized to compile an inventory of individual and community strengths upon which a partnership could be established. Facilitated focus group sessions were conducted to better understand childcare environmental policies and practices, and to guide changes conducive to health and fitness. Planning meetings and targeted outreach brought key stakeholders together for a community-participatory initiative to support positive environmental change. Results. The partnership planned and initiated an array of after-school and weekend community activities for preschool-aged children and their families in the weeks preceding, during, and following a designated ‘TV Turn-off’ week in April, 2004 and March, 2005. Conclusion. Methods of asset-based community development are an effective way to engage community participation in public health initiatives.
---
paper_title: An asset-based community initiative to reduce television viewing in New York state

paper_content:

Abstract Background. Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Addressing this problem will require the input of many sectors and change in many behaviors. The “community” must be part of the solution, and the solution must be constructed on existing assets that lend strength to positive environmental change. Objective. To catalyze an established asset-based community partnership to support efforts to reduce television viewing time by developing and providing alternative activities as part of a broader, 3-year study to reduce childhood obesity among preschool-aged children in rural, upstate New York. Method. Asset mapping was utilized to compile an inventory of individual and community strengths upon which a partnership could be established. Facilitated focus group sessions were conducted to better understand childcare environmental policies and practices, and to guide changes conducive to health and fitness. Planning meetings and targeted outreach brought key stakeholders together for a community-participatory initiative to support positive environmental change. Results. The partnership planned and initiated an array of after-school and weekend community activities for preschool-aged children and their families in the weeks preceding, during, and following a designated ‘TV Turn-off’ week in April, 2004 and March, 2005. Conclusion. Methods of asset-based community development are an effective way to engage community participation in public health initiatives.
---
paper_title: The Philosophical Assumptions, Utility and Challenges of Asset Mapping Approaches to Community Engagement

paper_content:

This literature review is a discussion of asset-based approaches to community engagement. Following a literature search, we identified several asset mapping approaches: Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD); Participatory Inquiry into Religious Health Assets, Networks and Agency (PIRHANA); Community Health Assets Mapping for Partnerships (CHAMP); the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA); Planning for Real® and approaches using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These approaches are framed by assumptions about ‘assets’, ‘needs’, and ‘community’ and their associated community engagement methods that may be influenced by dynamics related to conflict, competition and language. We conclude that asset mapping approaches derive their value from their capacities to support partnership building, consensus creation, and community agency and control.
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paper_title: ARAMANI – Decision-Support Tool for Selecting Optimal Participatory Mapping Method

paper_content:

Participatory mapping is an emerging practice in the community development discourse. With its roots in the Participatory Rural Appraisal, it brings active involvement of the community and subjectivity of non-cartographers into the spotlight. The crucial question is how one can choose the most optimal method for participatory mapping, taking into account the specific needs and assets of the community. In this paper, the author presents the ARAMANI tool, expert knowledge-based decision support system operating with 10 participatory mapping methods and experience of 172 survey responders. ARAMANI tool allows users to describe their community assets and needs while combining them with a value-based system for deciding which method to select. The tool is designed as a user-friendly webpage with guidelines and examples of best practices for each method.
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paper_title: Barriers to Care: The Challenges for Canadian Refugees and their Health Care Providers

paper_content:

Much of the existing research literature on the health of immigrant populations does not address the health care experiences of refugees, even though they likely experience unique and different health care needs relative to economic or family class immigrants. The objective of this paper is to explore the systemic barriers to health care access experienced by Canada’s refugee populations. The paper focuses on understanding these challenges as expressed by health and social service providers at the local level in Hamilton, Ontario. Data from interviews illustrate the impact of these systemic barriers for both refugees and providers. The paper examines issues of interpretation/language, cultural competency, health care coverage, isolation, poverty, and transportation in terms of health care and availability of services.
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Title: Asset Mapping as a Tool for Identifying Resources in Community Health: A Methodological Overview
Section 1: Introduction
Description 1: Write about the traditional needs-driven approach to community assessment and introduce the concept of asset mapping focusing on community strengths.

Section 2: Usefulness of an Asset Map
Description 2: Discuss how asset mapping can be useful for assessing health-related needs and disparities, and how it can help mobilize existing community strengths and resources.

Section 3: Examples of Asset Mapping in Health and Wellness
Description 3: Provide an overview of examples where asset maps have been applied in different contexts such as health research, community engagement, and community partnerships.

Section 4: Health Research
Description 4: Provide specific examples of how asset maps have been used to address public health issues through the correlation of data and the creation of clinical practice guidelines.

Section 5: Community Engagement
Description 5: Discuss how organizations have used asset maps to assess and increase community engagement, providing specific studies and examples.

Section 6: Community Partnerships
Description 6: Illustrate how asset maps can help in creating partnerships by identifying and leveraging potential community partners.

Section 7: Steps for Doing an Asset Map
Description 7: Outline the steps involved in creating an asset map, from determining the purpose to organizing assets for dissemination, with detailed descriptions of each step.

Section 8: Working Example: Asset Map for Health-Related Services for Refugees in Calgary
Description 8: Provide a step-by-step example of creating an asset map specifically for health-related services for refugees in Calgary, discussing methods and practical applications.

Section 9: Conclusion
Description 9: Summarize the benefits and applications of asset maps, emphasizing their utility in various contexts and their role in reducing dependence on external aid.

Section 10: Declarations
Description 10: Provide any necessary funding declarations or acknowledgments.