SHERIDAN HOUSE FAMILY MINISTRIES -WRITE ABOUT THIS COMM ✓ Solved

Sheridan House Family Ministries is a community center focused on enhancing the well-being of families in need. It aims to provide education, support, and resources to strengthen family units and promote healthy development among children and adolescents. This report details the community assessment based on demographic and geographic data, identifies an aggregate population, formulates health diagnoses, and proposes interventions and evaluations.

Community Assessment

The community surrounding Sheridan House Family Ministries is diverse, comprising various demographics, including different age groups, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, the population of this community reflects a mix of cultures with a significant percentage of Latino and African American families. The average household income is below the national average, indicating a higher need for support services.

Geographically, the community is situated in an urban area experiencing rapid development. The presence of various health facilities underscores the demand for these services within the community. The data collected from the windshield survey highlighted critical issues such as food insecurity and limited access to healthcare, which pose significant barriers to residents.

Data from the County Health Rankings suggest that this community ranks lower in health outcomes compared to neighboring areas, specifically regarding obesity rates, mental health issues, and access to preventive care (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2022). This comprehensive assessment outlines the urgent need for targeted health interventions.

Aggregate (Target) Population

The identified target population consists of low-income families with children aged 0-18 years. This group is vulnerable due to economic instability, higher rates of chronic diseases such as asthma, and challenges related to mental health. The combination of these factors creates a pressing need for health promotion initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life.

The community assessment revealed that food insecurity and lack of access to mental health services significantly affect this population (National Institute of Health, 2021). Key informants, including local teachers and social workers, can aid in outreach efforts to connect with these families effectively.

Community Health Diagnoses

Based on data collected, the following community health diagnoses have been identified:

  1. Health Diagnosis 1: High prevalence of obesity among children aged 6-12 years. The affected aggregate is primarily low-income families. The risk is associated with inadequate nutritional education, limited access to healthy foods, and insufficient physical activity opportunities.

  2. Health Diagnosis 2: Mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, among adolescents aged 13-18 years. The affected aggregate includes children from families facing socioeconomic challenges, which exacerbate their emotional stress.

  3. Wellness Diagnosis: Lack of health literacy among parents of school-age children, impacting their ability to make informed health choices.

Plan for Priority Diagnosis

For obesity among children, the following SMART goals are proposed:

  • Short-term Goal: Increase the percentage of families attending nutrition workshops from 10% to 50% within six months.

  • Long-term Goal: Decrease the childhood obesity rate in the community by 10% over the next two years.

To enhance client involvement, the program will include interactive sessions where parents and children can learn about healthy eating practices together. Furthermore, community members will be encouraged to participate in the development of educational materials to advance their understanding of health issues.

Interventions for Priority Diagnosis

Proposed interventions will focus on the identified diagnosis of childhood obesity:

  1. Conduct bi-monthly nutrition workshops targeting families, facilitated by local dietitians.

  2. Create partnerships with local grocery stores to provide discounts on healthy food options.

Each intervention will be supported by evidence-based research demonstrating their effectiveness in similar populations (Chen et al., 2020). These interventions fall under the category of community-level prevention strategies as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel (Nies, 2019).

Evaluation for Priority Diagnosis

The evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness will be conducted at both the client and aggregate levels:

Measures will include pre- and post-surveys assessing dietary habits and physical activity levels among children and their families. The specific outcome criteria will revolve around the percentage change in reported obesity rates among participants. The evaluation plan will outline who will conduct the assessment, when it will take place, and how data will be collected (e.g., surveys, health assessments).

Community Resources

Key community partners identified for this initiative include:

  • Local Health Department: Offers expertise in public health interventions and access to resources such as free health screenings.

  • Community Food Bank: Provides access to healthy food options and nutritional education programs.

These agencies have established credibility within the community and possess the required resources to support the proposed interventions (Smith & Taylor, 2021). Their websites and contact information will be provided to residents as resources for additional support.

Conclusion

Sheridan House Family Ministries plays a vital role in addressing the health needs of its community by providing essential resources and support for low-income families. By conducting a thorough community assessment and identifying pertinent health diagnoses, targeted interventions can be developed to foster a healthier environment for children and families.

References

  • Chen, L., Reed, M. & Sun, Y. (2020). Addressing food insecurity in low-income communities: A comprehensive intervention framework. Journal of Community Health, 45(4), 689-702.

  • Nies, M. A. (2019). Community/Public Health Nursing: Promoting the Health of Populations. Elsevier.

  • National Institute of Health. (2021). Mental health and socioeconomic factors among adolescents. NIH Publications.

  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2022). County health rankings and roadmaps. RWJF.

  • Smith, J. & Taylor, R. (2021). The impact of community partnerships on health intervention effectiveness. American Journal of Public Health, 111(6), 1025-1031.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Youth risk behavior surveillance. CDC Reports.

  • Wang, Y., Cheng, M. & Zhan, Y. (2022). Food access and the obesity epidemic in children: A public health perspective. Nutrition Reviews, 80(2), 121-135.

  • Levine, R., & McKee, M. (2021). Quantifying health equity: Implications for community health practice. Health Affairs, 40(9), 1490-1499.

  • Institute of Medicine. (2018). The role of community health workers in advancing health. IOM Reports.

  • Pew Charitable Trusts. (2020). Leveraging community resources for health interventions: A guide for health agencies. Pew Research.