Chapter 11 - Community Participation ...



-114300-141605OVERVIEWCommunity participation involves organizing resources to create a safer more cohesive community. Activities in this area include community projects, voter registration efforts, coordinating volunteer opportunities, leadership development, and safety initiatives. 00OVERVIEWCommunity participation involves organizing resources to create a safer more cohesive community. Activities in this area include community projects, voter registration efforts, coordinating volunteer opportunities, leadership development, and safety initiatives. 2730531115This material is the copyright of Mercy Housing. Permission for nonprofits to copy this material for noncommercial use is freely granted, provided that Mercy Housing is credited. Any other use requires permission. info@00This material is the copyright of Mercy Housing. Permission for nonprofits to copy this material for noncommercial use is freely granted, provided that Mercy Housing is credited. Any other use requires permission. info@-69215-137160In This Chapter…00In This Chapter…Community Participation Priority Component DescriptionCommunity Participation Priority Program Description Community Participation Essential Activities and Best PracticesCommunity Participation Measurement Tools, Strategies and Timing Data management related to the Community Participation Priority Program Community Participation Action Items Checklist3810012700OPERATING POLICY STATEMENTResident Services staff are expected to implement community participation, measurement and data collection in a manner that is consistent with the description provided in this chapter. This includes: Conducting outreach with residents to assist them in understanding the benefits of participation in community events both on the property and in the larger communityImplementing the community participation essential activities using the best practices that fit the propertyAdhering to the measurement strategies, tools, timing, and administration proceduresPerforming data collection in a regular and consistent manner in accordance with the requirements identified in this chapter00OPERATING POLICY STATEMENTResident Services staff are expected to implement community participation, measurement and data collection in a manner that is consistent with the description provided in this chapter. This includes: Conducting outreach with residents to assist them in understanding the benefits of participation in community events both on the property and in the larger communityImplementing the community participation essential activities using the best practices that fit the propertyAdhering to the measurement strategies, tools, timing, and administration proceduresPerforming data collection in a regular and consistent manner in accordance with the requirements identified in this chapterACHIEVING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCEPoints to PonderCommunity Participation Priority Component DescriptionResident Services staff working in the community participation component engage in a range of activities to enhance social connections and build community among residents and between and property and the surrounding community. Community participation is a vehicle for reducing conflict, enhancing safety, promoting property and neighborhood pride, and building leadership skills in individual residents. Community Participation Priority ProgramCommunity participation is linked to empowerment and health of residents. Building community is a process that involves residents in a range of activities that promote ownership of the environment and community. Thus, the outcome is both active and empowered residents and stronger properties and communities. The Community Participation priority program includes community projects and events, voter registration, volunteer opportunities, leadership programming and community safety initiatives. Community projects and eventsVolunteer opportunitiesVoter registration Leadership programmingCommunity safety initiativesCommunity Community ParticipationPriority Components Priority Programs Essential ActivitiesCommunity projects and eventsVolunteer opportunitiesVoter registration Leadership programmingCommunity safety initiativesCommunity Community ParticipationPriority Components Priority Programs Essential ActivitiesCommunity Activities and Best PracticesCommunity Projects and EventsCommunity projects and events strive to strengthen social bonds among residents through recreational or social events. These events are structured in a way to promote interaction among residents, honor a diversity of background and experience, and provide a launching pad for engagement in community activities outside the property. On properties with diversity of culture and background, community activities can provide opportunities to understand and appreciate difference and find common ground. Community projects and events include one-time or ongoing projects such as social or recreational events. Best Practices Supported by Research and Program EvaluationResearch on community participation suggests a variety of approaches to effectively engaging citizens in community efforts such as Study Circles kitchen table discussions, reading circles and Listening Circles. Planning and carrying out community activities provides an effective vehicle to increase cross-cultural appreciation and minimize conflict, however, research demonstrates that the concept of community participation varies across cultures and ethnicities. Thus, Resident Services staff must be sensitive to differing concepts of community when planning community activities. A few specific recommendations for convening community activities emerge from the literature on community participation: Consider convening a Study Circle. Study Circles are groups convened around a particular neighborhood or community issue where residents share their views and opinions and look for solutions. Study Circles are diverse groups facilitated by a neutral facilitator that leads people through a discussion that ends in strategies for actions. Study Circles have been implemented and evaluated as vehicles to address a variety of community problems including enhancing collaboration with schools, reducing crime, improving the support in the community for youth, and enhancing the sense of community. They have demonstrated success in engaging community members in problem-solving. A variety of step by step manuals are available to guide community members in the process of convening a Study Circle. The links can be found in the Resources section below.Become knowledgeable of social structures and political differences that may influence community building activities when working with refugee and immigrant populations. Engage in dialogue with other resident services staff, supervisors, and residents to become sensitive of political or cultural concerns that may arise during community building activities.Engage immigrant and refugee residents in a discussion of how communities in their home country organize themselves to help others as a way to initiate a discussion about differences and find common ground.Use services and classes such as English as a Second Language and citizenship classes as a way to begin building community and engage residents in community building activities.Consider on-going community projects or events that build relationships among diverse residents.Best Practices Supported by Expert Advice and Practice WisdomA number of best practices, suggestions and tips for organizing community activities have emerged from the experience of experts in Mercy Housing and other community settings: Start with an understanding of the strengths and assets of the property and community when establishing a community activity or safety event. Implement community programs to benefit properties such as recycling, clean up days, landscaping, and gardening projects.Involve community partners. Reach out to a variety of potential partners including local businesses, law enforcement, community leaders, foundations, and non-profit organizations.Collaborate with property management about community activities during the planning phase to ensure close coordination.Include activities for children when working on family properties. Parents will be more inclined to attend if they know their children will be entertained.Promote cultural exchange through regular holiday events where food and traditions are shared among residents.Be sensitive to potential issues when planning food menus for events, such as avoiding common allergens (such as nuts) or food avoided for religious reasons (such as pork).Create opportunities for intergenerational programming between kids at family properties with Senior properties.Bring healthy activities to residents as alternatives to unhealthy behaviors, such as scheduling activities on a weekend night as an alternative to “going out” on supportive housing properties. Engage the citizen action AmeriCorps program for more community programming support.Property HighlightTraining Considerations Resident Services staff should be knowledgeable of the strengths, assets, and challenges of the residents, property, and the surrounding community. This includes the potential community partners and their motivators and concerns. New Resident Services staff should reach out to community leaders, businesses, and other organizations to understand their concerns and the ways they might support community activities on the property. Resident Services staff are also encouraged to develop a basic understanding of the common cultural traditions of residents and political backgrounds that might promote conflict among residents. Staff should seek out supervisors for more information about how to work with resident diversity as well as for support on other concerns. ResourcesA variety of resources are available to bolster training and implementation of community activities and events:The Topsfield Foundation Inc. has published a variety of manuals on Study Circles. Building Strong Neighborhoods: A Study Circle Guide for Public Dialogue and Community Problem Solving, Best Practices for Producing Community-Wide Study Circles. and Building Strong Neighborhoods for Families with Children. The report entitled Lessons Learned about Civic Participation among Immigrants provides valuable information about building civic participation in immigrant communities. Investing in our Communities: Strategies for Immigrant Integration published by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees offers a comprehensive toolkit addressing a host of integration issues including promising practices in civic participation. The toolkit is available at no charge. Community-wide Study Circle Programs: A Step by Step Guide. This on-line guide offers advice, sample documents, and case studies in setting up Study Circles to instigate community dialogue. Citizen’s Handbook is a website offering assistance for people wanting to engage in community building activities. It provides practical advice in such areas as creating child care coops, community gardens, block watches, clean ups, and other large and small initiatives. OpportunitiesVolunteering offers benefits both to the volunteer and the larger community. In particular, volunteering among older adults is related to improved physical health, mental health, and longevity. Volunteer opportunities can take many forms. They include include one-time assistance with a community event such as resident party or ongoing work such as co-facilitating financial education sessions or volunteering in a neighborhood childcare center. Volunteer opportunities are not limited to work on the property but can extend into the larger community. Volunteer Opportunities are intended to engage both residents and non residents in contributing to the programs and services offered on the property or engaging in volunteer activities in the greater community.Best Practices Supported by Research and Program EvaluationResearch suggests that it is important to match volunteers to assignments in order to sustain volunteerism.Make contact with local governmental, civic and service agencies to develop an understanding of volunteer opportunities in the community. Ask what kinds of skills or characteristics are needed and inquire about the training required in order to increase the chances of a successful match between residents and the volunteer site.Best Practices Supported by Expert Advice and Practice WisdomA list of specific suggestions and tips from the experience of experts in Mercy Housing and other community settings follow: Create volunteer opportunities in out of school time programs providing residents with opportunities to act as role models and community supports for children through tutoring, recreation, and other activities. Enlist volunteer residents to assist in engaging residents in services they have benefited from such as EITC education and financial education. Publish volunteer opportunities in property newsletters. Training ConsiderationsResident services staff should be knowledgeable of the local community and new staff are advised to make contact with local service and civic agencies to develop relationships and identify volunteer opportunities for residents. Resident Service staff should consult Chapter XX for policies about screening for on-site volunteer positions. ResourcesA list of some of the resources available to help promote volunteering follows:Hands On Network provides a number of options for identifying volunteer opportunities in your community. The searchable data base allows you to search for volunteer opportunities by zip code and type. RegistrationIn order to vote in national, state and local elections, residents must be aged 18, hold US citizenship and be registered to vote. Voter registration policies and other requirements related to felony convictions and mental incompetence vary from state to state. Voter registration includes coordination efforts to assist residents to register to vote. Best Practices Supported by Research and Program EvaluationResearch identifies XXXXX important elements in assisting residents in registering to vote. Add research based best practices if we find any.Best Practices Supported by Expert Advice and Practice WisdomA few suggestions and tips have emerged from the experience of experts in Mercy Housing and other community settings: Conduct a civic education campaign to build resident confidence and engagement in civic issues. This might include speakers on the legislative process, visiting legislators or municipal meetings, or reviewing voter anize a “meet the candidate’s” session that provides information about candidates and issues and creates an atmosphere on the property that promotes a range of civic participation municate about famous civic leaders and the ways they contributed to making current life better for all of us. Maintain a calendar with elections, voter registration cut offs, and other interesting civic facts.Assist residents in organizing voter turnout on election days.Coordinate efforts to assist residents in registering to vote beginning a few months before an election.Offer information about voter registration but do not actively recruit voters.Partner with community organizations like AARP to set up voter registration. Investigate the possibility of the property serving as a voter registration site. Collaborate with property management when bringing in external voter registration efforts.Publicize community registration site information in posters and newsletters.Ask residents if they are interested in voter registration assistance on property surveys.Maintain links to electronic voter registration information on computers or kiosks.Provide information about voter eligibility and conditions making residents ineligible to register to vote. Training ConsiderationsResident Services staff should be knowledgeable of the voter eligibility laws in the state along with where citizens can register to vote, local polling places, and absentee/mail in ballot procedures. Resident Services staff are encouraged to discuss questions with their supervisor. ResourcesResident Services staff have access to various resources to promote voter registration: Can I provides nonpartisan information to assist eligible voters to find out where and how to vote. It includes information on finding a polling place, identification needed, absentee ballots and finding information about candidates. government site includes information about registering to vote by mail, state election offices, state voter eligibility laws and voting rights. National Center for Family Literacy provides an activity guide for families to instill civic pride and interactive programs to build civil rights awareness. Programming A key aspect of building community is providing opportunities for residents to assume leadership for solving community problems. This can be facilitated through curriculum-based or experiential opportunities that teach the fundamentals of leadership such as advocacy, decision making, organization, communication, self management, planning, leading change, and interpersonal development. A key component of leadership programming is that it offers opportunities for residents to practice their skills. Leadership Programming engages adults in either curriculum based or experiential leadership opportunities that teach the fundamentals of leadership such as advocacy, decision making, organization, communication, self management, planning, leading change and interpersonal development; and offers opportunities to practice their skills. Leadership programming is a structured effort intended to increase community involvement. Leadership programming includes activities conducted on- and off-site.Best Practices Supported by Research and Program EvaluationA few approaches or strategies to fostering adult leadership have been identified in through research:Implement the Communities that Care program, a community prevention program where stakeholders carry out a collaborative effort to improve youth outcomes in their community. The program has been linked to positive community outcomes in a seven state experimental trial. Additional information about the program materials or evaluation is found on the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence website. Practices Supported by Expert Advice and Practice WisdomA number of best practices, suggestions and tips have been identified by Resident Services staff within Mercy Housing and other experts: Regularly convene a resident community council to talk about changes needed on the property and how to move those forward.Involve residents in event planning for community events through the resident community council.Offer individual coaching towards personal development goals.Offer a community building institute that engages residents in planning and organizing community events and discussing issues in the community. This can use a book club format with a host volunteer luncheon.Involve community partners such as local businesses, foundations, schools, and neighborhood organizations. Encourage resident leaders to participate in community task forces and meetings. Attend meetings with the resident to allay fear or discomfort or have newer leaders accompany experienced leaders until comfortable with the role. Invite community leaders to provide mentoring in leadership and advocacy to interested residents.Pair community safety other community activities with leadership development by supporting residents in leading these efforts and recognizing their contribution.Celebrate leadership accomplishments of residents. Involve younger residents in recognition events to provide community leadership role models. Implement the Mercy Housing Lakefront Leadership Competencies. (link from Lakefront)Engage residents to participate in the state or county housing advocacy day. Teach residents how to talk to legislators or write a letter to the editor.Coach residents to take on leadership for community safety, voter registration, or community projects. Identify special skills of residents that they can contribute to community efforts, this includes art work, computer work, letter writing, and public speaking.Look for opportunities for sustained involvement rather than just one-time projects.Identify non-partisan community volunteers to talk with residents about the legislative process and how they can become involved in advocacy.Encourage residents to conduct outreach to other residents interested in participating in community or other resident services events.Create Justice Circles –Need more information from MHNWProperty HighlightsTraining Considerations and ResourcesIn addition to participating in Mercy Resident Services training, Resident Services staff are encouraged to identify the leadership opportunities present in the local community. In addition, they should become familiar with existing leadership programs on the property and their strengths and challenges. Further, having a dialogue with resident leaders about the assets and challenges to building leadership on the property is encouraged. As always, resident services staff are encouraged to talk with their supervisor about other training issues. ResourcesThe following resource provides assistance and suggestions for promoting resident leadership: The non-profit and nonpartisan Center for Civic Education provide a variety of curricula, manuals, podcasts, and videos on a variety of topics related to civic education. Most of the materials are tailored to middle and high school students but some materials are also available for adults and young adults. Pew Partnership Inventing Civic Solutions is a topical guide to assist communities in solving community problems. The report can be downloaded at no charge. Safety InitiativesSafety affects property maintenance, property value, and quality of life for residents and for this reason, safety initiatives are an essential component of resident services. These initiatives can be localized to the property such as assessing and addressing lighting, access, and other issues specific to the property or larger community issues such as juvenile crime or graffiti. Safety initiatives focus on personal and community safety. These include National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, community police meetings and other safety-related events. Best Practices Supported by Research and Program EvaluationStudies have shown that neighborhood safety initiatives and in particular including police in community safety efforts, leads to reductions in crime. In addition, the use of Study Circles to address safety concerns has been found to be effective approaches to increasing community safety. The following suggestions emerge from the research in these areas:Invite local law enforcement to property events to promote collaborative relationships between law enforcement and residents. Convene a Study Circle, around a particular neighborhood or community issue. The Study Circle provides a way for residents and other community members to share their views and opinions about a safety issue and look collectively for solutions.Best Practices Supported by Expert Advice and Practice WisdomA number of best practices for establishing community safety initiatives have been identified by experts: Partner with Property Management and residents to identify and develop an action plan to address safety concerns on the property.Involve residents through surveys, committees, and volunteer opportunities.On senior properties, distribute the Seniors and Telemarketing Brochure developed by the National Crime Prevention Council.Use this information to create tips for newsletters or to convene group discussions about ways to avoid crime victimization. Implement at Celebrate Safe Communities Program. A toolkit is available at .Implement community policing projects such as neighborhood clean-ups or citizen patrols.Involve local businesses and organizations in identifying and developing strategies to address safety concerns.Safety projects can be particularly effective ways to build community on properties with residents who are refugees or immigrants. Working collaboratively with law enforcement helps to build trust and understanding about the role of law enforcement in this country and safety projects can be tangible ways to build community among diverse groups of people. Property HighlightsLakefrontTenant Leaders in the Uptown buildings of Lakefront were concerned about community safety. There was been an increase of gang activity on their block. Residents themselves were nervous about being targeted by going into their buildings. They also had concerns that neighbors on the block thought that they were the ones causing the problem. To begin to address this issue, they held a community Meet and Greet, inviting Mercy Housing tenants, neighbors on the block, the local police beat officers, and local community organization representatives. This successful event was attended by 30 tenants and resulted in a follow up planning meeting, where the group named itself the Uptown Neighborhood Action Committee, The committee decided to address the gang issue through a weekly neighborhood watch, conducting several beautification events (including two clean-ups and an earth day event), and conducting an assessment of lighting issues on the block. In preparation for the neighborhood watches, tenants invited a CAPS officer to present street safety tips and a beat officer to give a positive loitering training. Six tenants attended the light walk, in which they created a list of troubled lighting spots, identified who would be responsible and made initial contact with those who can change them. Tenants conducted watches resulting in decreased activity on the block.Training Considerations Resident Services staff should be knowledgeable of the property and surrounding neighborhood. New staff might consider talking with property management, residents, law enforcement, and local businesses about safety concerns including past strategies to address them, and the success of these strategies. Further, Resident Service staff are advised to consult their supervisor about training questions or concerns. ResourcesFor detailed information about implementing safety efforts see Meyer, D. A., Britt, T., Carenas, S., Fromm, D., Kennedy, I., Magnuson, P., & Petersen, R. (2009). Creating Opportunities for Families through Resident Services: Volume One: Implementing a Basic Resident Services Program A Practitioner's Manual Revised and Expanded Edition Columbia, MD: The Enterprise Foundation. Section 7 : Community Safety and Crime PreventionThe Topsfield Foundation Inc. has published a variety of manuals on Study Circles. Building Strong Neighborhoods: A Study Circle Guide for Public Dialogue and Community Problem Solving, and Building Strong Neighborhoods for Families with Children. National Crime Prevention Council offers toolkits, brochures and other materials on community and personal safety projects such as Celebrate Safe Communities, National Night Out, Seniors and Telemarketing Fraud and anti-bullying programming. Measurement Tools and Data Management StrategiesMeasure Selection ProcessA measurement workgroup comprising Resident Services directors and coordinators across all five GBCs, National Resident Services staff and evaluators reviewed all decisions related to selection of the measures. A variety of factors were considered in selection of the measures used to assess the impact of the essential activities comprising the Community Participation Priority Program. In selecting the number of questions to be used, we attempted to balance the burden of asking residents or Resident Services staff too many questions while attempting to ensure we had enough questions to fully assess the impact of the services. We were also concerned that when comparing impacts over time such as from year to year or pretest to posttest the questions would be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in residents. It was important that questions asked of residents be simply worded and understandable to a broad range of residents. We attempted to use questions that had been used in large national studies or from validated and reliable measures, when they were available, in order to ensure that the wording had been tested and to provide a comparison with other groups when available. Community Participation Impacts CommunityPriority Components Priority Programs CommunityPriority Components Priority Programs 526415-3599815Residents are actively engaged in the community Community Participation Eligible residents registered to voteParticipating residents demonstrate increases in: social connectednessleadership skillsParticipating residents demonstrate increases in:volunteeringcommunity problem-solvingparticipation in greater community activitiesImpacts IntermediateShort-term Long–Term00Residents are actively engaged in the community Community Participation Eligible residents registered to voteParticipating residents demonstrate increases in: social connectednessleadership skillsParticipating residents demonstrate increases in:volunteeringcommunity problem-solvingparticipation in greater community activitiesImpacts IntermediateShort-term Long–TermShort-Term Impacts, Measures, Administration & TimingCommunity Participation Short-Term Impacts & MeasuresAdministration & TimingEligible residents registered for vote?Registered to vote. [Yes, Unsure, No]RSC responds in SIMS annually Social connectednessI regularly stop and talk with people in my neighborhood. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Attitudes Scale, 1998) I feel that I can make a difference in my community. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Attitudes Scale, 1998)Pre and post test at beginning and end of leadership programmingLeadership skills I try to encourage others to participate in the community. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998)I believe that I can have enough influence to impact community decisions. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998) I am or plan to become actively involved in issues that positively affect the community. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998)Being actively involved in community issues is everyone’s responsibility, including mine.[strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998)I try to find time or a way to make a positive difference in the community. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998)I understand how political and social policies or issues affect members in the community. [strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree] (Source: Civic Responsibility Survey, 1998)Pre and post test at beginning and end of leadership programmingIntermediate Impacts, Measures, Administration & TimingCommunity Participation Intermediate Impacts & MeasuresAdministration & TimingVolunteerDoes the resident volunteer? [Yes, Unsure, No] RSC responds when knowledgeable about volunteering Community Problem Solving In the past 12 months have you ever worked together with someone or some group to solve a problem in the community where you live? [yes, no, don’t know] (Source: Civic Engagement Quiz)In the past 12 months has anyone in your household other than you worked together with someone or some group to solve a problem in the community where you live [yes, no, don’t know] (Source: Civic Engagement Quiz)Annual Resident SurveyParticipation in greater community activitiesDo you belong to any groups or associations, either locally or nationally such as charities, labor unions, professional associations, political or social groups, sports or youth groups, and so forth? [yes, no, don’t know] (Source: Civic Engagement Quiz)Does anyone in your household other than you belong to any groups or associations, either locally or nationally such as charities, labor unions, professional associations, political or social groups, sports or youth groups, and so forth? [yes, no, don’t know] (Source: Civic Engagement Quiz)Annual Resident SurveyData ManagementTo be completed laterAction Items ChecklistThere are several action items for this chapter. An Action Items Checklist is available.Discuss and familiarize yourself with the Community Participation Priority Program best practices in use in your setting Identify additional Community Participation Priority Program practices that may be applicable to your setting and discuss with your supervisorComplete program model trainingComplete SIMS trainingReview timing of Community Participation Priority Program measures administered by Resident Services staff Identify training needs with your supervisor and develop a plan to address these needsCreate or refine a resource directory for community referrals“Strong neighborhoods connect us with others, and surround us with people we can count on.”References ................
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