Windshield Survey
Assignment #1 Template

Student Name: _ _ Dates: _ _____________

Name of Community or Zip Code: _ ________

Part One Windshield Survey and Key Informant Interviews
Please complete the following information on this template about the community you have selected. You may increase the size of the block by continuing to type. Use as much space as necessary to provide your answers
Elements Descriptors
Physical Environment Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area. ● Boundaries What defines the boundaries (on N, S, E, W)? Roads, water, railroads? Is the area known for a particular name? What area is this community located in?

● Housing and Zoning What is the age of the houses? Describe type of construction material, appearance, and general condition. Do you see single family housing? Multi-family housing?

● Common Meeting Places Where do people in the neighborhood “ hang out”? Who hangs out there and what hours of the day?

● Indicators of Growth or Decline Is this a “thriving” community or does it look “run down?” Is there new or ongoing construction? Are buildings, roadways, and public areas clean and well-kept? Do you see dirt, trash, or graffiti?

● Employment Opportunities What places for employment are there in this area? Name the businesses and industries in this area.

● Transportation How to people get from one place to another? Is public transportation available? How timely is it? Personal autos? Bikes? Walking?

People Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area. ● Race and Ethnicity What is the majority racial group represented? What is the majority ethnic group represented? Describe the distribution of gender, approximate ages, single families, multiple families, generational families?

● Cultural Characteristics What cultural similarities or differences do you observe? Languages spoken? Clothing? Ethnic eating places? Culturally-based celebrations? Signs in languages other than English?

● Lifestyle Healthy Behaviors What healthy lifestyle behaviors do you observe? Do you see people exercising, wearing helmets when biking, seat belt usage, using trash cans for garbage disposal, healthy eating practices?

● Lifestyle Risk Behaviors What unhealthy lifestyle behaviors do you observe? Do you see people practicing risky lifestyle behaviors such as drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, fighting? Do you see signs of violence, gang activity, drug use, criminal activity, or bars on doors and/or windows? Do you see overweight/underweight persons? Do you see children unattended playing out in the streets? Do you see any signs of homelessness? Street people? Describe gender, age, and race/ethnicity of persons observed.

● Poverty Indications Do you see any signs of homelessness? Street people? Describe gender, age, and race/ethnicity of persons observed.

Services in the Community Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area, how far away it is and how people will access it.
● Social Services Do you see evidence of recreation centers, parks, and social services? Describe each.

● Health Services Do you see evidence of health, and/or mental health services? Describe each. Are there any signs of alternative services in the area, such as healers (curanderos), herbalists, herbal stores, palm readers, acupunctures, or chiropractors? For services that are not available, how far must persons travel to access these services?

● Fire and Police Services Do you see any fire and police services/equipment/officers? Where are the closest fire and/or police stations?

● Educational Resources Where is the nearest public library? Schools, universities, community colleges?

● Religions What signs of religion do you see? Churches, mosques, temples? What services are offered by these churches, e.g., Day Care, Mother’s Day Out, Summer Camps, Languages Classes, Citizenship Classes, Food Banks, Clothing, other.

Business & Industry Describe stores and shops available in the community, e.g., grocery stores, gas stations, department stores. What type of business climate exists? Manufactures? Light or heavy industry? Large employers? Small business owners? Retail? Hospitality industry? Do people have to seek employment elsewhere? Is this considered a “bedroom community”- where people work outside this community but live here?
Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area.

Politics What indicators do you see about politics? Posters? Headquarters?
Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area.

Media Do you see indicators of what people read? Listen to the radio? Watch TV? Are there any signs of media language other than English?
Make sure you address fully what you observed and NOTE if something was not found within your community area.

Key Informants Key informant interviews are direct communications with community members. Talking with community members is essential in effective data collection and provides depth to a community assessment. Information from key informant interviews further probes the community’s needs, wants and priorities as perceived by a community member. This qualitative information will complement the findings from your windshield survey and guide you in developing and adjusting your community diagnoses. Selected members of a community are interviewed to note personal stories and opinions of a target community. A key informant can be any person who has a good understanding of your target community. Key informants are not always persons with a formal title or position. Potential key informants include community member, teacher or school counselor, religious or secular leader, police officer, firefighter, local service provider, and others. Interviews can take place formally or informally – preferably in a setting familiar to the informant.
Interview 2 Key Informants
Ask each person interviewed to share their perceptions of the following and cite personal communication as appropriate (check APA):
1) What are the perceptions about the health of their community?
2) What are the strengths of the community that they observe?
3) What health problems do the informants identify in their community?

Analysis of Windshield Survey Analyze and summarize your subjective observations and the input from key informants. Write a 3 paragraph summary of community health and safety issues for this community and strengths of the community.
Remember to cite personal communication as appropriate.