Community Health Assessment Grid

NRSA 419
This grid is based on The Community Assessment Wheel and follows along with the examples in your Community as
Partner book under Chapter 11. Tables are very helpful in summarizing the information that is collected when you assess
the community. In addition to collecting data through the library or internet, you will also be doing your assessment
through a windshield survey (described in your book) and interviewing members of the community. There are some extra
examples in addition to the items in your book under the various categories below. Citation of sources is required in APA
format. Please enter your information into the actual grid.

Points

Criteria

20

Community Assessment Part 1: Community core People and Physical

Environment
1

Name of community assessed and

geographical location.

The community being assessed is West Carrollton, Ohio. Located in

Montgomery County and has a geographical location of coordinates
39.668050, -84.247991 (West Carrollton City, 2015)

Brief, relevant history of community

West Carrollton is a city south of Dayton that has a total area of around
6.66 square miles and has the Great Miami River running straight
through. The latest census shows roughly 13,000 people living in the
city. Historically, the heart of West Carrollton was home to paper mills
and many different modes of transportation. With railroad tracks
running through the city, a surrounding river, a highway built off the
main roads, and an airstrip that sits on the outskirts of the city, there
was a lot of transportation growth (West Carrollton Historical Society,
n.d.). Also the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 affected this city greatly,
paving the way for river enhancements to be built and safety measures
to be in place for the future (Great Flood of 1913, 2015).

Briefly state why this community was

selected for assessment.

This community was selected for assessment because one group

member has lived here her entire life and her father has been Mayor of
the city for several years. Another group member has recently lived in
the city for the last 6 years and has a family history in the city. The third
group member is familiar with the city and has lived in a surrounding
city. With the knowledge of the city and surrounding area, it will aide in
our assessment of this particular community.

Demographics and ethnicity

Stability of the community residentsare residents transient (are they
actually the same people that
completed the 1990 Census Bureau
information for that same census
track?) Subgroups- are there
smaller cliques or subgroups within
the community? Are the groups
similar or different than the community
mainstream membership?
Interaction- do the community
members interact with one another
intentionally and how?

There has not been a huge increase in population from the years 1990
to the most recent census, even earlier in the 1970s there was only
10,000 people living here, whereas today there is about 13,000
(Montgomery County, 2014). I was unable to find which residents were
the same residents that completed the 1990 census but from my
personal experience in the city, there is a large amount of community
members that reside in the city and continue supporting it.
It seems as though this is a predominantly white/Caucasian community
and much of that is between the ages of 18-64 years old. It seems that
the norm for the community has been similar across the years.
The community members do interact with one another intentionally.
Through the government officials, public service members, and even
educational systems, all of the persons involved have a history with the
city, therefore there is always community interaction among them. With
local events and historical places, there is a lot in common among
citizens.

Vital statistics
Comorbidity data- do the
community members have other
health concerns such as physical
disabilities, emotional/psychological
impairments? What risky health
behaviors are present? Are there
protective health factors identified?

The community members health concerns are physical disabilities

because there are a lot of elderly people in the community who are
disabled. Another health concern is the drug issue that is common in
almost every community right now. Heroin use is on the rise in West
Carrollton and people in the community along with elected officials are
trying to stop this growing problem.

Values, beliefs, and religion

The top 2 religions common in West Carrollton are protestant and

catholic. I would say that most of the values and beliefs in West
Carrollton are focused around hard work because West Carrollton has
several different factories that many of the community members work in
and their family members and children grow up to work in.

Physical environment: inspection,

vital signs, systems. Identify
specific roads/landmarks- are
boundaries obvious to outsiders? A
map may be nice here. Actual and/or
potential growth within the
community? Are there construction
projects under way or planned? Are
there signs of decay? Census data
regarding housing summarizedcharts can be put in an appendix.
Housing- describe the housing in the
community- is there enough? Are
homes safe and large enough to
accommodate the number of people
living there? Are there any programs
to restore homes in the community?

In West Carrollton a specific road that is traveled by many in

Montgomery County is Alex Rd. When asking community members
several landmarks were mentioned; Sanner Funeral Home, Swart
Funeral Home, The City Building, Appleton Paper, El Meson, the
Middle School Stadium, and the number 1 landmark mentioned that
isn't there anymore but everyone knows is Woodys Market. I dont
think boundaries are obvious to outsiders because the city is so small
and landlocked between other cities people often confuse areas with
Moraine, Miami Township and Miamisburg.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/West+Carrollton,+OH/data=!4m2!
3m1!1s0x8840880c7663047b:0x1d88be21d7a15f5d?
sa=X&ved=0CBwQ8gEwAGoVChMInpu_s9-0yAIVy20-Ch3TjADa
There are construction plans in the works for the city, theyre
redeveloping the exit 47 area along the levy. West Carrollton
unfortunately does show signs of decay. Some of the old paper
factories are being torn down right now, and the old/historic part of
West Carrollton has some buildings that are vacant and falling apart.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2014 shows that West
Carrolltons population is 13,018. There are 6,522 housing units in the
community. Housing units in multi-unit structures is 43.5%. The
average person per household is 2.14. There is adequate housing in
the community for the population. West Carrollton is working with
Habitat for Humanity to restore homes and build new homes for the
community.

Community members perception

of health. How would the member
define health. What is important
regarding health to the community.
(prevention or dont fix what is not
broke?) Is health valued or taken for
granted? Community members
stated needs for health promotion
and priority areas- are there access to
care, quality of care or cost of care
issues?

Community members defined health as, No illness, and, Being able to

adapt to changes. Health prevention/promotion is important to community
members. Like many other communities, there are a large number of disabled
and elderly people and high drug rate within the community. I would say the
vast majority of people take their good health for granted, especially
considering how many turn to addiction or unhealthy behaviors. The WIC
office for families in poverty and a childrens clinic are also located in West
Carrollton. Onboard Informatics (2015) states obesity is on the rise and
unemployment remain elevated. While there are healthcare facilities nearby
for the community to use, cost of healthcare is an issue.

Weather patterns- does moisture

tend to cause snow or freezing rain?
Is the location inner city which tends
to be warmer?

Onboard Informatics (2015) shows West Carrollton has an above average

snow fall for winter seasons. West Carrollton also shows about an average rain
fall but below average sunshine, which can make freeing rain more likely
(Onboard Informatics, 2015). Temperatures were also consistent between US
average and this city.

Environmental data- describe the

current and relevant historical data
concerning pollution, sanitation,
water, air quality, waste disposal,
noise level- do levels appear to be
within a safe zone in regards to the
area the people live and where they
attend the community program. Do
the community members believe the
levels are within the safe zone?

Onboard Informatics (2015) reports air quality, ozone and particulate matter
are all consistent with US averages. However carbon monoxide and sulfuric
dioxide levels were above average. Radon is also a reported concern (Onboard
Informatics, 2015). West Carrollton businesses have been cited several times
for bacteria in drinking water, called coliform (Onboard Informatics, 2015).
This city is near the highway, river and train track. Noise level would be about
average with those situations considered. When asked about whether
community members feel air quality is safe they mentioned it is a city after all
with frequent travelers and factories.

References
Great Flood of 1913. (2015). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Flood_of_1913
Montgomery County. (2014). U.S. census 2000 for montgomery county. Retrieved from
http://www.mcohio.org/services/planning_commission/us_census_2000.html
Onboard Informatics (2015). Carrollton, Ohio. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Carrollton-Ohio.html#b
West Carrollton City. (2015). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Carrollton,_Ohio
West Carrollton Historical Society. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://wchistoricalsociet.wix.com/wchistorical-society

20
points

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PART 2 (Health / social services, economics, and Safety

/ transportation)

Health / social services

Hospitals, providers, home health.
Health care resources- What or
who provides for the health care
needs of the community- are they
reliable? Is care sought for prevention
or only in crisis?

West Carrollton has several doctors offices within the city limits, some of
these doctors offices are family practice and specialty clinics. West Carrollton
neighbors two very large hospitals, Kettering Medical Center northeast of the
city and Sycamore Medical Center south of the city. There is a mix of home
health care agencies in the Miami Valley that are responsible for the city of
West Carrollton. On the border of West Carrollton and Moraine there is a
dialysis clinic.
There is a public health building on Central Avenue in the heart of downtown
West Carrollton. This office serves as a reliable resource for the community in
terms of referrals, vaccinations, support groups, and health and wellness
programs. There seems to be a good amount of prevention resources available
with this public health clinic, the school district, and the nearby hospital
facilities.

Clothing, food, shelter, basic

welfare

West Carrollton has 1 food pantry for the community on North Locust St. and
they also have a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants,
and children called WIC on Central Ave. They provide information on other
resources in Dayton for homeless shelters and other food pantrys. There are
no clothing stores in West Carrollton but there are many in near by cities.
There are many fast food and other restaurants in the community.

Economics - what are the major

sources of income for the community?
Income levels? Businesses, labor
force, and occupations.
Business and Industry- describe
the available services within the
community- restaurants, grocery
stores, convenience stores- family
owned or big chain? Do the
employees belong to the community?

The major source of income for the community come from the paper factory
and income tax. The estimated median household income is $43,637. West
Carrollton has lost a lot of businesses recently but there is restaurants, fast
food chains, bakery, paper factory, car mechanics, and Dollar General. The
labor force is mainly industry & restaurant industry.
There is a lot of available services in the community right now waiting to be
developed. West Carrollton doesn't have a grocery store but they do have a
Dollar General. They have Buffalo Wild Wings, El Meson, Hollys, Sushi
Club, and fast food. They are all big chain owned, West Carrollton doesn't
have family owned businesses anymore. Some employees do live in the city
but most of the employees dont belong to West Carrollton they live in
neighboring cities.

Safety- protection, sanitation. How

vulnerable is this community? Crime
stats.

West Carrollton City website states that the crime rate in West Carrollton,
Ohio is below national average. The city of West Carrollton has its own police
and sanitation departments. This community is more vulnerable to car related
incidents. Statistics show that there are more car crashes and traffic violations
according to West Carrollton City.

Transportation private, public,

roads, air, rail.

West Carrollton provides public transportation by bus. Average travel time is

13.6% less than the average in Ohio. There are no local airports or passenger
trains.

References:
West Carrollton City (2013). Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.westcarrollton.org/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=159&Itemid=101

20
points

Community Assessment Part 3 (Politics / government, Communication, education,

and Recreation)
8

2
3

Politics / Government: What are

the communitys leadership, power
structure and decision-making
process. Do community members
participate in meetings and offer input
into decisions? Attend meetings?

The West Carrollton Charter was adopted by the voters on May 2, 1967. The
form of government provided by the Charter is known as the Council-Manager
Plan. The City Manager has the task of running the city on a day to day basis.
Council members hire 2 employees, City Manager and Law Director. Elected
leadership in the community is the Mayor and 6 Council Members. The Mayor
is a member of Council and has the right to vote on all issues before the
Council, but has no veto power. The Mayor presides at Council meetings,
recognized as official head of the Municipality for ceremonial purpose, by the
Governor for military purpose and by the Courts for the purpose of serving
civil process but the Mayor shall exercise no administrative authority. The
Mayor also has jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases as provided by the laws
of Ohio, (Mayors Court). On the agenda of the council meeting there are 2
places for comments by the public and have the opportunity to participate. All
council meetings are open to the public unless noted as an Executive Session
item. All meetings are usually attended by community members.

Who are the formal and/or

Mayor: Jeff Sanner, Council Members, City Manager: Brad Townsend and
informal leaders of the community? Department Directors are all listed on the cities web page and news letter. The
Do community members have access
community does have access to these individuals through the web page,
to these individuals?
newsletter, and meetings.
Social control- What are the norms
and or rules of the community that
influence behavior within the
community
Communication sources

Educational - describe the school

systems within the community- do
they meet the needs of the childrenwhat are passing rates, attendance
rates? Do parents participate in
promoting education? Education
levels of the community
Is education valued or a stated priority
of the community?

West Carrollton City Schools (ndl) states their attendance rate is 94.5%, total
enrolled between preschool to high school is 3.927 and that their population is
73.7% white. ODE (2013) reports a graduation rate of 89.2%. US Census
Bureau (2015) reports from 2009-2013 87.8% of the population had a high
school diploma or higher and 15.5% had a bachelors degree or higher. Both
below the state average (US Census Bureau, 2015).
West Carrollton City Schools (ndl) states, Nutrition in this district is based on
the recommendations of the USDA, state regulations and the National School
Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Breakfast is provided free to all
students. They also state education is a top priority and that parents are also
involved.
West Carrollton City Schools (ndl). District Profile. Retrieved from
http://www.westcarrolltonschools.com/DistrictProfile.aspx
ODE (2013). 4-year Longitudinal Graduation Rate. Retrieved from
http://bireports.education.ohio.gov/PublicDW/asp/Main.aspx
US Census Bureau (2015). West Carrollton (city), ohio. US Department of
Commerce. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3983090.html

10

Recreational opportunities- does

the community provide areas to
promote exercise and recreation such
as parks, gymnasiums,, recreation
centers- do the members use the
facilities- are there fees to pay?

The City of West Carrollton (2015) has a community park that includes tennis
courts, swimming pool, basketball court, volleyball court and paths to walk or
ride a bike. This community also has a soccer complex, senior citizens center,
and baseball/softball diamonds. This community holds seasonal festivals and
activities for community members and neighboring cities. The park and courts
are free to the community, however, if a community member joins a sports
team or class/activity held there will be fees with joining. One gym is located
in the city of West Carrollton itself. There are several in surrounding areas as
well that have membership fees. West Carrollton even offers a Doggie Dive
Festival where community members can bring their dogs to the park for
some exercise and treats.
The City of West Carrollton (2015). Parks & Rec. Retrieved from
http://www.westcarrollton.org/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=147&Itemid=72

40
points

Community Analysis section INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSION This should be submitted as

an APA formatted paper! Do not use the grid for this submission.
This section is based on Chapter 12 of your Community as Partner book. Keep in mind that
you are analyzing the data to see what is most beneficial for the core (the people of the
community). It is not necessary to provide the charts or items you have already provided
unless you need to support your statements. You should analyze each of the 8 sections of the
Community Assessment Wheel and answer the following questions. Remember to reference
and cite throughout your submission using proper APA format.
Identify the appropriate role of the
Nurse within the community.

11

ANALYSIS SECTION

10

Identify three strengths of

community from a nursing
perspective. List the data section or
subject area previously discussed that
supports your suggestions.
Identify three problems of the
community from a nursing
perspective. Again, list content area
that supports your suggestions.
Identify the top priority need from
your three problems. State the
resources utilized to establish the
priority- ( consider-prevalence of risk
in the community, severity of the risk,
communitys interest in the problem,
availability of resources to address
the concern, appropriate for CHN
role)
Develop a care plan to address the
top priority concern. State the
community problem or concern;
etiology; documentation of
signs/symptoms; and an intervention
(see p. 235).

12

What is the proposed time line for

project completion?
What are suggestions for funding the
proposed project?

What is the expected response

from the community members? Do
you think they will participate or
support the proposed interventions?
Will the interventions benefit the
members?
Describe any follow-up measures that
have resulted from your community
assessment efforts.

Statement of personal and

professional growth as a result of
completing the community
assessment.

25 points

Community Analysis
Presentation
GROUP SUBMISSION
13

This is a presentation of your

community assessment process. The
PowerPoint should walk your peers
through the assessment. You can use
voice content or the Notes section to
provide details.
Please use appropriate teaching aids
in Power point (Grammar, Graphics,
Aesthetics of Presentation)
Prezi can be used instead of
PowerPoint if preferred as long as all
contents are included.

An outline of the history and reason

this community was chosen

A problem is identified in the

community

The problem identified matched the

community assessment
Provide data and statistics to support
problem

Suggestions for solving the problem

are identified.
Identify potential areas of community
service that would assist in the
community identified need.

14

One person from each group should

submit the power point presentation
to the course facilitator via CANVAS

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