Post on 20-May-2015
description
Understanding Client Communities Spatially for
Developing Effective Interventions: Application
of Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S)
Technology for Human Services Delivery
Presented by:
Gokul Mandayam
2Mandayam
Why should Human Service Professionals engage in
Spatially Informed Social Work Practice?
NASW Code of Ethics
5.02 Evaluation and Research
(a) Social workers should monitor and evaluate
policies, the implementation of programs, and
practice interventions.
(b) Social workers should promote and facilitate
evaluation and research to contribute to the
development of knowledge.
(c) Social workers should critically examine and keep
current with emerging knowledge relevant to social
work and fully use evaluation and research
evidence in their professional practice.
History - Mapping and Human Services
3Mandayam
4Mandayam
Does Geography matter for the Human Services Profession?
“ As the concept of asset mapping continues to be considered seriously and incorporated
into the community development process, GIS as a newest approach for community
development is useful to identify assets which exist in each neighborhood .”
(Schlossberg, 1998)
“ Geographic Information Systems (GIS), can be used to assist evaluators in presenting the
results of their evaluations in a user-friendly way.”
(Renger et. al., 2002)
“ GIS can benefit social work by: (1) continuing and strengthening the social survey
tradition; (2) providing a framework for understanding human behavior; (3) identifying
community needs and assets; (4) improving the delivery of social services; and
(5) Empowering communities and traditionally disenfranchised groups.”
(Hillier, 2007)
“ As a tool, GIS enables evaluators to incorporate contextual features (such as accessibility of
program sites or community health needs) into evaluation designs and highlights the
interactions between programs and their environments.”
(Azzam & Robinson, 2013)
5Mandayam
Example 1: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
Computers for Families Program:
Jordan Downs Housing Project
South Los Angeles
Public Housing (military barricades)
2,600 total population
60% Hispanic; 40% African American
Median Family Income $1,400/month
3.1 children per household
703 apartment complex
Highest education – High school
Courtesy: Dr. Juan Araque and his research assistants
Example 1: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
6Mandayam
One- and two-mile
radius:
Health care systems
Social service
providers
Education facilities
Employment services
Courtesy: Dr. Juan Araque and his research assistants
7Mandayam
Example 1: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
One- and two-mile
radius:
Crime rates:
Assaults
Burglary
Robbery
Theft
Vehicle break in
Liquor stores
Courtesy: Dr. Juan Araque and his research assistants
8Mandayam
Latino
communities and
outpatient SUD
(Substance Use
Disorder)
treatment facilities
offering services
in Spanish in Los
Angeles County
Courtesy: Dr. Erick Guerrero and his research assistants
Example 2: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
9Mandayam
Latino population
and travel
distances to closest
outpatient SUD
treatment facility
offering services
in Spanish in L.A.
County by "hot
spot".
Courtesy: Dr. Erick Guerrero and his research assistants
Example 2: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
10Mandayam
Latino population
and travel
distances to closest
outpatient SUD
treatment facility
offering services
in Spanish in hot
spot C by census
tract.
Example 2: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
Courtesy: Dr. Erick Guerrero and his research assistants
• Partners w/ affordable housing developers• Residents at or below 50 % area median income• Operates Family/ Senior Resource Centers
Services Provided: Health: nutrition education, food programs,
screenings, wellness education, exercise programs Independent Living for Seniors: socialization,
transportation, wellness Education for Youth: After-school programs, field
trips,. Summer camp, enrichment, school readiness, teen leadership programs
Capacity Building for Adults: ESL, Employment Readiness,
Other: Community building, case management, information & referral
Example 3: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
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Project Access – Case Study – St. Josephs (Oakland, California)
Example 3: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
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Project Access – Case Study – Warwick Square (Santa Ana, California)
Example 3: Application of GIS Technology for Human Services Delivery
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Why Spatially Informed Human Service delivery?
1. Identification of existing assets (resources)
and risks for better contextual understanding
2. Strategic Planning
3. Advocacy
4. Information and Referral (Visual maps are
useful for clinicians)
5. Catalyst for Partnership