solved Peer #1 Melissa Robinson and Green (2011) reported that effective

Peer #1 Melissa
Robinson and Green (2011) reported that effective community development means that residents combined their efforts to improve their quality of life and health outcomes. Additionally, this effectiveness is emphasized when residents from all walks of life in the community are actively involved in every activity. Fisher (2014) reported that effective community development improves health protection, helps tackle health inequalities, improves health behaviors and assist in enabling local people to influence planning of local health and other constitutional services.
I have lived in Maplewood for the past 10 years. The only concern that the residents have pertains to school integration. Everett (2020) reported that, in 2018, the Black Parents Workshop in 2018, sued the district by arguing that the district’s decades-old practice of tracking and leveling, grouping students in tiered classes based on test scores or perceived abilities, systematically discriminated against Black students, who were generally placed in lower-level classes. As part of the settlement agreement, the district will implement integration plans and related recommendations by educational expert and Temple University professor Edward Fergus, which will be monitored by former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John Wallace Jr. The district has worked on an integration plan utilizing a modified Berkeley Approach for our Integration methodology, which includes the development of an algorithm that creates micro-neighborhoods and utilizes key variables (South Orange Maplewood School District, SOMSD, 2021):
Ø Parental education level;
Ø Parental income;
Ø Race;
Ø Sibling Preference; and,
Ø Proximity
In terms of prevention and intervention for the integration issue, I think these two processes overlap because some of their schools are waiting for state approval for construction, and the district has informed the residents that awaiting approval for construction plans for the remaining schools does not affect our Intentional Integration Initiative plan (SOMSD, 2021).
References:
Everett, R. (2020). N.J. district accused of segregation settles lawsuit, will integrate under eye of federal monitor. Retrieved from https://www.nj.com/essex/2020/07/nj-district-accused-of-segregation-settles-lawsuit-will-integrate-under-eye-of-federal-monitor.html
Fisher B. (2014). Community development through health gain and service change – do it now! London journal of primary care, 6(6), 154–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/17571472.2014.11494367
Robinson, J. W., & Green, G. P. (2011). Introduction to community development: Theory, practice, and service-learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. ISBN-13: 9781412974622.
Peer #2 Alexandria
Effective community development is defined as unified planned change spearheaded by community stakeholders. Effective community development is facilitated by ensuring that the community is part of the change for them and not that the change is happening to them (Robinson et. al, 2011). Having community members working collaboratively to lead the charge helps to accomplish shared goals for the community.
My community is an urbanized suburb in New Jersey outside of New York City. Mental health in my community is certainly one of the most significant pressing social issues across age groups. We have had an increase in suicides over the past four years that has contributed to raising concerns about breaking down the stigma of mental illness. Mental health is a topic we must feel comfortable addressing and discussing together to start to really make a difference. Success is a large value of this community which is why the culture here is to keep busy striving for more all the time. This ranges in working exponential hours or carting children off to their endless activities to build their resumes and get straight As. It seems as if it is forgotten to slow down, focus on time with your loved ones, and to value relationships over possessions. This attitude has led to the worsening mental health of our community which is also exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. The largest environmental issue we are facing is the vast increase in pollution in our community. As mentioned, we live in an urbanized area that is continuing to be over-developed. This has led to overpopulation and ultimately, a lack of green space, parks, and recreational facilities that are imperative to promoting the overall health and wellness of our community members.
Prevention efforts have been initiated in our community with our Stigma-Free Initiative. The county has recently implemented this program to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health. This program does have an intersection of intervention and prevention in its mission. Stigma- free is led by a community represented panel and their services includes proactively educating about mental health awareness in schools and community venues, providing all residents the opportunity to participate in the program, community-wide events, and linking people in need to local mental health resources. We are lucky that we do have a plethora of mental health services and resources in our community that serves our community members. We even have free and sliding scale mental health services. I believe that this stigma-free initiative paired with our equitable access to mental health professionals is a great solution for our community social issues. It may be beneficial to also offer free small group counseling to address specific issues within our community while also pairing individuals who are struggling with similar issues. We also need to focus on environmental aspects of our community and building less high-rise buildings and more parks and recreational facilities for our community members.
Reference:
Robinson, J. W., & Green, G. P. (2011). Introduction to community development: Theory, practice, and service-learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. ISBN-13: 9781412974622.
Peer #3 Peter
Effective community development should associate with; proper leadership, each member of the community having access to meaningful healthcare, protected from environmental injury, wealth, and happiness as well as equal rights and justice. Clearly, a community that is successful ensures that contemporary developments are made for the benefit of everyone. It extends fairness and doesn’t exclude some or oppress others. Public awareness is constantly made aware that, collectively; everyone should have equal human rights. Effective community development gives people the right to self-determination and lets people have their own voice. From the outside, it would seem that my community gives everyone a reasonable chance. However, based on my experience I would disagree. New York City is perhaps one of the most developed cities globally. For example, the health systems are probably second to none, it’s a financial hub for many around the world, and its physical infrastructure is top rated. Unfortunately, in New York State where I live; many of the members of my community have yet to see the even-hand that they are supposed to be part of. Despite its advanced developments; income, race disparities, and other social concerns are still major issues confronting the city. Environmentally, the city is struggling to fix, homelessness, successfully taking care of low-income neighborhoods and migrant communities. According to, Kang, Seligson, & Dragan, People in “Jackson Heights had approximately 70%” of individuals declaring they had no health insurance. Overall, a high number of people in Queens had no healthcare coverage, (Kang, Seligson, & Dragan, 2020).
Prevention efforts are being made to support healthcare and housing in splinter communities that are affected by overlapping intervention issues. For many, the cost-effectiveness is proving to be insufficient and not effective. For example, individuals with complex chronic issues are receiving services from Medicaid and Medicare but that is not enough. Additionally, the Office of Mental Health (OMH) is also partnering to help with mental health issues. This collaboration among social organizations and the community is supposed to help meet social needs. Finally, some solutions my community may need, is clean air, housing for the homeless, clear and meaningful guidance for teamwork, and job opportunities for low-income earners. Also, in the age of social media, access to broadband is clearly a need.
References
Kang, J. X., Seligson, A. L., & Dragan, K. L. (2020): Peer Reviewed: Identifying New York City neighborhoods at risk of being overlooked for interventions. Preventing chronic disease, 17 https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C33&as_ylo=2020&q=nyc+and+disparity+neighborhood+&btnG=.