Community Assessment Using the Windshield Survey on Oklahoma

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Introduction

In every society, community assessment plays a significant role in promoting the community welfare. One of the main importance of a community assessment exercise is to understand what the community needs and hence their various problems. In order to have a clear picture of these needs or problems that may be facing the community, there is need to have a critical analysis of various aspects, which affects the community. Some of these aspects involve the history of the particular community, the physical environment, demographics, economy, politics as well as the government, education, communication and recreational aspects of the community. This analysis plays a pivotal role in understanding and finding out the solutions to the problems facing the society.

History

Oklahoma is one of the States in the United States. It is situated in the southern part of the United States. The name Oklahoma was derived from the words okla and humma. These are Choctawian words meaning red people. This state was formed after the merging of Indian and Oklahoma territories. The people in the region were nicknamed sooners after the people living there.

The Oklahoma area attracts a large number of tourists from across the world. The major tourist attraction in the area is music and the atmosphere of the area with good recreational joints. Having a great reputation in music, the area has hosted several festivals that have attracted a great number of people from all over the world.

Demographics

According to the statistics recorded in the year 2010, the area has a population of about 3,751, 351 residents. This reveals a significant growth compared with other years. For instance, the total number of residents in the year 2000 was about 3,450,654 people (Infoplease, 2011). However, the residents come from various ethnic groups and races. Some of these include the blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos and American Indians. According to

Economy

The state of Oklahoma is one of the richest states in the United States. There are a number of activities in which the people from the area are engaged with. The state is widely known for its richness in oil and natural gas production. Other economic activities in the area include meat packing and food processing (Infoplease, 2011). Some of these products are sold locally and the rest exported to other regions. There is also machinery manufacturing in the area. However, most of the machinery manufactured in the area is based on construction. The region has also a number of minerals which forms a strong base for the state’s economic well being. These minerals include zinc, gypsum, helium, cement, coal and copper.

Health and Social Services

There are a number of programs in this state that has a significant contribution to the people’s lives. One of these programs is Community Action. The community has significantly benefited from this program as it has improved their standards of living. The community Agency of Oklahoma, which was formed in 1965, has equally helped the community (Community Action Partnership, 2011). This program seeks to promote self sufficiency of the less disadvantaged in the community. The program seeks to address social and economic difficulties facing these people. Through such programs, the community has managed to improve their standards of living.

There are a few health centers in the area. There is also a health center at Oklahoma State University. However, this facility is only accessible to the members of staff and the students at the university. There are also two pharmacies in the area. They are located in strategic positions where they can easily be accessed by all the people in the area. Oklahoma State University Medical Center has also contributed in provision of heath services in the region. The medical center provides services to the students and different members of staff. This reduces congestion in other health facilities in the area.

Recreation

The area has a number of recreational centers where the people can go for recreational purposes. There are a number of cites that attracts both the locals and foreigners for recreational purposes. One of these cites includes Fort Gibson Stockade, which is located close to Lake Texoma (Infoplease, 2011). The people here have varying preferences in their recreational activities. There are several places where the children can gather to play. These places have well installed playing facilities where children can play comfortably. There is also health clubs in the area. Moreover, there are several bike trails for those who like riding bicycles.

Physical Environment

The community in question covers a large area with differing financial and social areas. The place has several car wash stations. There are also several stations where various car services are offered. These stations offer services like changing the engine, alignment of wheels among other services.

There are two categories of homes in the region which bear different characteristics. Expensive homes are characterized by clean and attractive yards. On the other hand, the area in the neighborhood is dirty having debris left lying anywhere in the street. This area has also a number of cars, which has already broken down, left in the driveways. The lanes also look unattended.

There are also many restaurants that are located in various points in this area. This is another business activity in which most of the people are engaged on in the community.

Communication

The area has a variety of communication channels. It is also important to note that this community is composed of people with vast values and interests, which results in to a number of organizations. Religion is closely observed in the area. In terms of religion, people are organized depending on their distinctive beliefs. There are therefore several religious spiritual organizations that exist in this area.

There are several groups and organizations in the region, which significantly contributes to the welfare of an organization. For instance, they help those individuals with mental retardation and other forms of disabilities. At Oklahoma, there is provision of housing for the newborn children. There are also family services whose major role is helping those who do not have homes. Various organizations, which are concerned about improving the living standards of the people, work hand in hand in order to achieve maximum results. Among the services provided by these organizations includes career development, counseling among others.

Discussion

The information given above has revealed some important aspects which can help in understanding the needs of the community living at Oklahoma. This information is of great importance to different stakeholders who are concerned with the welfare of the community.

There are several strengths of this area, which can be identified through this information. For instance, there are several recreational facilitates that help in keeping physical fitness and hence improving people’s health. There is also a health facility at the University of Oklahoma. Although this is only accessible to students and the members of staff, it has significantly helped in reducing congestion in other community’s facilities.

This information has revealed that there are some places where hygiene levels are very low. For instance, the neighborhoods around the expensive homes in the area have debris lying all over the streets that makes the place look dirty.

In order to promote the level of hygiene in the community, it is important to mobilize the community by organizing clean ups. Through such activities, the community joins hands under various groups for clean up. This helps in solving problems, for instance, in the places where debris is seen lying on the streets. Such debris pose a great danger to the community and such an activity will help in improving the health conditions.

Conclusion

This assessment has clearly revealed that at least there are health facilities and other health aspects in the Oklahoma area. For instance, the discussion has revealed that there are several recreational facilities accessible to people in the area. These facilities are necessary for physical fitness. However, the discussion has also revealed some aspects of weakness. For instance, there are no enough health practitioners in some parts. Thus, there is need to consider rectification of such areas in order to improve the general health of the whole community.

Reference List

Community Action Partnership. (2011). Community Services. Web.

Infoplease. (2 011). Oklahoma. Web.

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