Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 10: SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
The social environment of a healthy community fosters interaction between residents, provides a sense of safety and well-being for families and individuals, and empowers citizens to be involved in the community.
Value
- The social environment of a healthy community fosters interaction between residents, provides a sense of safety and well-being for families and individuals, and empowers citizens to be involved in the community.
Goals
- A. Individuals are involved, beyond self or family concerns, in some aspect of community that promotes activities for the good of the whole.
- B. People of all ages are, and believe they are, safe in the community and are committed to preserving that safety.
- C. The community champions a strong sense of family and parental responsibility.
- D. The community, as individuals and as a whole, supports activities and behaviors that nurture social connections.
- E. The community has a connection to meet the basic needs of community members.
- F. Youth are respected and engaged members of community life.
- G. Elders are respected and engaged members of community life.
- H. Individuals participate in and have impact on community decisions.
Introduction
Civic Involvement
Civic involvement demonstrates the ability people believe they have to improve their lives and community.
To gauge civic involvement, voter turnout and participation in public meetings are considered. Generally, meeting attendance depends on which issues are being addressed. This report also looks at "Kids Voting" as a program that teaches the value of civic involvement to children.
Community Safety
A healthy community is defined as one where people are safe and feel safe. This report examines both of these factors.
While analyzing statistics on crime, it will be helpful to define terms. For example, larceny is theft — the degree of punishment is based on dollar values of property stolen. A glossary is included in the Appendix.
Community Life
Mesa County residents enjoy natural beauty and a good climate.
These are elements of the quality of life people celebrate. Another key element is the small town flavor evidenced in social relationships and how connected people feel to others in their neighborhoods. This report tracked how much people volunteer, how involved they are in service groups and the strength of neighborhoods.
Social Services
Mesa County, like the rest of the country, has looked for new ways to address human services needs. This section looks at the changes that have already taken place as well as future trends. The goal is to encourage independence rather than just cut services. Programs are in place to provide child care, job training and other services that will help people become successful.
"The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and find happiness." Thomas Jefferson
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