community health - Episcopal Health Foundation
Transcription
community health - Episcopal Health Foundation
COMMUNITY HEALTH Needs and Assets Assessment Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton A Collaboration: Episcopal Health Foundation with November 2015 Suggested Citation Bush-DiDonato, W.T., Barmasse, S.L., Balihe, P., Goetz, M., Lopez, K.K., Caldwell, K., Megdal, T., Herrera, B., Bray, P.G. Episcopal Health Foundation and Legacy Community Health Services. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment: Sharpstown, Alief, Gulfton. Houston, Texas: 2015. This report is available at www.episcopalhealth.org under Research Please direct any comments or questions to: Episcopal Health Foundation Research Division 500 Fannin St., Suite 300 Houston, TX 77002 713.225.0900 © 2015 Episcopal Health Foundation and Legacy Community Health Acknowledgments Many people who live and work in the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods in southwest Houston contributed to the completion of this report by generously giving their time, talents and knowledge. Thank you! Project Leadership Valerie Ausborn Philomene Balihe Sheryl Barmasse Patricia Gail Bray, PhD Troy Bush-DiDonato Katy Caldwell Jordan Crawford Margaret (Peggy) Goetz, MD Baine Herrera Kimberly Kay Lopez, DrPH Tina Megdal Local Investigators and Other Support Yamilet Adarmes Rina Chavez Isora Colmenares Sonia S. Espinoza Margarita Marioni Maria Maldonado Alma Zuniga Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 3 Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 6 Introduction 15 Methods 18 How We Work in Communities 21 Quantitative Research 24 Qualitative Research 53 Key Informant Interviews 56 Participatory Community Groups 65 Recommendations 82 87 Photovoice Themes 89 Recommendations 92 Conclusions and Recommendations 93 Appendices 96 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 COMMUNITY HEALTH Needs and Assets Assessment Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton A Collaboration: Episcopal Health Foundation with November 2015 Executive Summary Executive Summary Purpose of Assessment Legacy Community Health Services is interested in a better understanding of the needs and resources in the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton (SAG) neighborhoods located in Houston Texas. Legacy invited the Episcopal Health Foundation to lead an independent community assessment study that includes quantitative profiles of these neighborhoods, along with findings from a qualitative participatory research study and a Photovoice component. Using a mixed methods approach focused on the Social Determinants of Health we bring community voices to the table to help understand the socio-cultural and organizational structures and processes that promote or diminish the health of a defined community. The goal is to create healthier neighborhoods – together with the community – by building on the unique resources embedded in the community to help address health and social needs. Overview of Study Area and Demographics The SAG communities are located in the southwest section of the City of Houston. In 2000, the City of Houston recognized all three of these communities as “Super Neighborhoods.” This is a large geographic area with a correspondingly large population of 170,538 people. According to Super Houston, in 2010, Sharpstown and Gulfton were two of the top ten most densely populated neighborhoods in Houston. In 2012, the City of Houston had 3,766 people per square mile compared to 4,477 in Alief, 8,072 in Sharpstown and 13,502 in Gulfton. Sharpstown and Gulfton neighborhoods share more similarities than Alief. The history of the Gulfton, Sharpstown and Alief neighborhoods closely parallels the historical changes in Houston during the past 50 years. During the 1970s and 1980s, the migration pattern in Houston began to change. What had been mostly white, single, American born, English-speaking neighborhoods became Hispanic, foreign born and Spanish-speaking immigrant family communities, resulting in a rich diversity that now mirrors Houston, which is one of the most diverse cities in the US. Seventy percent of the population speak a language other than English. These neighborhoods also have a higher percentage of Hispanics and Asians than the City of Houston overall. Sharpstown has a larger percentage of Whites than the other two neighborhoods, whereas Alief has a higher percentage of Blacks. All three areas have a much lower proportion of Whites than the City of Houston overall. 6 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The SAG community is predominantly a young community with 60% of the population being age 34 and below. Over one-third of the population 25 years of age or older have less than a high school diploma, which is a significantly larger proportion than Harris County at 21%.1 More people (31%) in SAG live below the Federal Poverty Level, than for the Houston area (26%). This study shows the geographic distribution of those living with the highest poverty in the SAG neighborhoods. Since the present study focuses on residents of lower-income neighborhoods, it is useful to note that the neighborhoods with the highest poverty are located primarily in five census tracts, three of which are in Gulfton, one in Alief, and one in Sharpstown. The median household income is significantly lower in the SAG neighborhoods, when compared to Houston, which was $44,648 in 2012. Gulfton’s median income is half of Houston’s. The current, as well as historic, unemployment rates are higher in SAG than in Houston. In 2014, twenty percent of all city-wide robberies and almost 20% of all city-wide murders occurred in the SAG study area. Overview of Health Statistics All of the recent published SAG-related community health assessments that we reviewed did not report health data at the neighborhood level of analysis. The Health of Houston Survey (HHS) is a population survey of 5,000 randomly chosen households in Houston and Harris County intended to provide communities with information about the unmet health needs of both adults and children and to offer timely data to local organizations, elected officials and health care leaders seeking to improve the public’s health. The health data that is reported in this study is from the Health of Houston Survey (2010)2, which includes 28 geographic areas within Harris County, including Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton that are combined as one area. The local neighborhood data is compared to Houston area data overall. According to the Health of Houston Survey, almost one-half of adult residents do not have health insurance and 79% do not have dental insurance, which is a much higher proportion than for Houston (59%). Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 7 The Health of Houston study includes eight survey categories. See Appendix 5 for the complete Health of Houston Survey for the SAG community. A summary of the ratings of health data are as follows: Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Health Indicator Summary Health Indicator Category SAG Indicators Ranking Below Houston Area Average Health Status and Chronic Disease 4 out of 12 indicators Health Insurance 6 out of 9 indicators Access to Care 5 out of 6 indicators Mental Health 1 out of 4 indicators Preventive Services 3 out of 3 indicators Adult Behavioral Risk Factors 1 out of 6 indicators Child Behavioral Risk Factors 1 out of 5 indicators Neighborhood, Environment & Housing 3 out of 13 indicators SAG ranks remarkably well in five of the eight categories, specifically, the health status and chronic disease indicators, mental health indicators, behavioral risk factors for adults and children, and the neighborhood, environment and housing indicators. The health categories of concern include health insurance, access to healthcare and especially preventive services, with 100% of the recommended screenings ranking lower than that of the Houston area. Overview of Key Informants and Participatory Groups The qualitative participatory groups were led by Dr. Margaret A. Goetz, founder and President of ProSalud – Health for All. The data included findings from twelve Key Informant Interviews and six participatory group sessions, led by seven promotoras who were trained as local investigators for this study. From the interviews and the participants’ perspective, there are many positive assets in this community, including the diversity of the people living in harmony in a multicultural environment, good community resources, affordable housing and a good, clean built environment. 8 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Challenges in the community that the Key Informants identified included: Sharpstown Alief Gulfton Education Education Education Poor Street Repair Poor Street Repair Increased self-sufficiency No Respect for Shared Space/Trash No Respect for Shared Space/Trash No after-school activities for youth – ripe for gangs No after-school activities for youth – ripe for gangs Unemployment Unemployment Crime Crime, domestic violence, need for more police Lack of connection to neighbors and workforce Lack of connection to neighbors and workforce Lack of child care Lack of child care Poor parenting Prostitution Psychological trauma after robbery Specific health challenges in the community that the Key Informants identified included: Sharpstown AliefGulfton Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure No primary care and preventative screening No primary care and preventative screening No primary care and preventative screening Stress StressStress Eating Habits Eating Habits Eating Habits Self-medicateSelf-medicate Mental Health Mental Health Children’s Health Children’s Health ObesityObesity Dental Lack of physical activities and parks Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 9 Challenges in the community that the participants identified included: Sharpstown Alief Gulfton Lack of time Stagnant water Discrimination Lack of communication * Lack of communication * Complaints ignored or solutions not found Garbage Vandals Lack of security Apartments poorly maintained Physical complaints/pain that keeps you from exercising Rundown apartments Ignorance and lack of civility Need more community resources and services Alcoholism and drug addiction *Lack of communication includes lack of information and lack of talking amongst themselves and with others. The Key Informants and participatory groups also identified some healthcare resources in the community that included healthcare providers who deliver physical, mental and dental care. They also noted these services are inadequate for the population and that many “mom and pop” clinics provide poor quality services. Overview of Photovoice Dr. Kimberly Kay Lopez led and facilitated eleven SAG participants in the Photovoice component of the study. The residents documented, discussed and analyzed aspects of the community that help to support or diminish health and well-being. Following Photovoice training sessions, the local participants took photographs of their community and then identified four common themes as a group, as follows: 1.Gangs 2. Lack of infrastructure 3. Lack of safety/security, especially at apartment complexes 4. Advantages to well-being that contributed positively to health and well-being. 10 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The Photovoice participants shared how they are proud of their community, but see areas where it could be improved. The residents offered many suggestions for possible next steps, including the opportunity to utilize their photos in a public display in order to engage community members and leaders. These residents care about their community and are interested in advocating for changes that could yield sustainable results. Conclusions and Recommendations As noted in the quantitative and qualitative sections, there are positive assets present in the community that can be the starting place for recommending next steps. One of the major themes to emerge from the Photovoice and the community participatory groups was specifically about the resources in the neighborhoods that contribute positively to health and well-being. One of the greatest resources in the Houston metro area is the racial and multicultural diversity, with over 20% of the people foreign born.3 The Sharpstown, Alief, and Gulfton neighborhoods are a microcosm of this rich tapestry. These three neighborhoods represent places of great racial, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. This is important since place matters to health, a common theme that should pervade all recommendations. Regarding the needs and challenges of SAG, other common themes should remain a part of all of the recommended next steps and these include creating a culture of health and maintaining a focus on prevention. When we study healthy communities through a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) lens, then the recommended solutions should also project a SDOH approach. We need to address root causes of poor health – for individuals and communities. We know that health is more than the absence of disease, and includes the following factors: Social and Economic Factors Health Behavior Factors Clinical Care Physical Environment Genes and Biology The recommendations from this study attend to the first four of the five determinants. Unlike this study, we have seen a typical healthcare focus with other recent community health assessments. While the overall intent for this study is to help guide next steps in healthcare service delivery, we acknowledge the need to take a wider purview. Our recommendations are broader than a healthcare focus since research tells us that there are many direct and indirect causes of health linked to the social, economic and built environments. The community members understand this. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 11 Our goal aligns with the Healthy People 2020 vision for the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods to be a thriving community in which all people live long, healthy lives. The following table includes an overview of the study results that are grouped by the type of evidence gained from the mixed methods research. The results in this table are not rankl-ordered. There is not always alignment among the three study components. Overview of Study Results by Component Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Community Voice Photovoice 1. Improve health status. 1. Provide health literacy in the community. 1. Improve barriers to good health; Residents want to walk and exercise, but are fearful of crime. 2. Improve access to healthcare. 2. Do outreach to those without a regular source for medical care. 2. Acknowledge that the residents are appreciative of community resources like Baker-Ripley. 3. Provide health insurance to adults; dental insurance for adults and children. 3. Improve mental health, stress and dental health. 3. Address the residents fear of retaliation with apartment landlords or threatened immigration status. 4. Attend to children with unhealthy weight. 4. Improve children’s health and eating habits. 4. Improve swimming pools, parks and playgrounds 5. Screen, prevent and manage chronic disease. 5. Provide primary care and preventative screening. 5. Provide primary care and preventative screening. 6. Manage and prevent cancer. 6. Provide health education in fun and entertaining ways. 6. Acknowledge that residents like community gardens and community agencies that provide services. 7. Attend to high crime rates, especially robberies and murders. 7. Improve communication within the community and neighborhood groups and regarding advocacy for their community. 7. Address that residents are fearful of gangs and associated crime. 8. Improve neighborhood, environment and housing. 8. Improve the built environment, especially regarding poor sanitation, housing repair and public spaces such as parks. 8. Attend to gang graffiti, potholes, broken water mains, sidewalks and trash. ...continued on page 13 12 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Quantitative Research 9. Improve education indicators, esp. graduation from high school rates. Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Community Voice Photovoice 9a. 9b. 9. Improve safety and security, esp. trash dumpsters, broken lights and discarded furniture. Improve education. Enhance education regarding civility, legal rights and responsibilities and in general, such as language, literacy and computer skills. 10. Create a stakeholder group to synthesize gathered information, in addition to group feedback, to move forward on promising ideas. 10. Provide continued opportunities for residents to participate in future ways to make SAG healthier. Prioritized Recommendations For the quantitative and the qualitative research findings, all of these recommendations are linked with the following priorities: Priority 1 – Improve health status, preventative screening and access to healthcare • Proposed Action: Focus strategies around health education, particularly regarding adult cancer screening, diabetes, hypertension and children’s health; and improving access to preventative and healthcare services, including mental health and dental. Priority 2 – Improve the built environment, especially regarding safety, security, sidewalks and poor sanitation • Proposed Action: Use advocacy skills to help improve general sanitation and safety. Keep the diversity of the neighborhoods by anticipating possible gentrification by improving housing stock. Research the Avenue Community Development Corporation’s model in the Houston’s near north side. Priority 3 – Enhance the knowledge and awareness of health and community resources to strengthen the bond between the residents and their communities • Proposed Action: Focus on developing more community centers and services, such as Baker-Ripley. Include the residents in the planning and design of more resources since they are aware that the perception about the community is directly related to how good they feel about themselves. They explained that when they felt good about their neighborhood it made them feel good about themselves. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 13 Looking Forward The best way forward is to continue engaging the affected community members, interested stakeholders and by creating public private partnerships between business and government. This study helps to understand the three neighborhoods at this point in time, and most importantly presents the voices of the residents. The many people who participated in this study are very passionate about being a part of the decision making process in order to make Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods a healthier place for all. A study that is based on community participatory research tenets is an excellent point of departure for the community and supportive organizations such as Legacy Community Health Services and Episcopal Health Foundation to help to create a healthier future. 14 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Introduction is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that operates as a supporting organization of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of the 10 million people in the 57 counties of the Diocese. The Foundation embraces the World Health Organization’s broad, holistic definition of health: a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Vision The Episcopal Health Foundation’s vision is a diocese in which the people, parishes, institutions and community are all connected in service of transformation to healthy communities for all. Mission Statement The mission of the Episcopal Health Foundation is to advance the Kingdom of God with specific focus on human health and well-being through grants, research, and initiatives in support of the work of the Diocese. Core Values INFORMED ACTION. Rigorous research is the foundation for actions and initiatives that have the potential to transform human lives and organizations. COLLABORATION. The most effective use of financial resources is often discovered in ministries that go beyond the limits of individuals or individual congregations. Broad-based communities galvanized around responses to particular human needs have a powerful potential to effect real and lasting change. EMPOWERMENT. The old adage is true: It is good to give a hungry person a fish; it is empowering to teach the same person to fish. Loving and compassionate people often need training to be effective change agents. Leadership development and training are central to empowerment. STEWARDSHIP. Good stewardship requires careful oversight and development of the abundance TRANSPARENCY. All actions and decisions are open to the light of public scrutiny. Secrecy and that God provides. confidentiality are not the same thing. ACCOUNTABILITY. The results of decisions and actions of EHF are audited and measured against reasonable benchmarks. Mistakes are made. When mistakes are treated with openness and honesty, lessons are learned. Public accounting and reporting are made on a regular basis. TRANSFORMATION OF HUMAN LIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS. The best good is good that lasts by effecting transformational changes in root causes. COMPASSION FOR THE POOR AND POWERLESS. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 15 The Episcopal Health Foundation is a unique entity that grants funds, convenes initiatives and performs research within the 57 counties of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The Foundation values local knowledge and local expertise, which is considered fundamental to the research approach. Community engagement in research is time-intensive qualitative work, which helps to assure that the Foundation is responsive and attuned to the local nuances of complex issues. Participating in community-based planning and research activities ensures that a voice for healthy communities is heard at multiple decision-making levels. Legacy Community Health (Legacy) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and private 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the Houston-Baytown-Sugarland and Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). Legacy has grown from a small neighborhood clinic incorporated in 1981 to the region’s largest FQHC. As an FQHC, Legacy provides comprehensive health and wellness services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Legacy was formed in 2005 as a result of the merger of two leading Houston area community organizations—Montrose Clinic and The Assistance Fund—that had both been providing Houston and the Harris County area with quality health care and medication services for nearly 30 years. Legacy’s strong reputation fueled significant growth in the mid to late 2000s. In 2006, the City of Houston awarded Legacy the opportunity to open a satellite location at 5602 Lyons Avenue, in part because of the reputation for quality health care and fiscal prudence. Legacy now occupies the entire building, providing health care and social services to any and all Houstonians with a focus on individuals and families living in the greater Fifth Ward. In 2010, Legacy acquired the CHRISTUS Health clinic in Southwest Houston, a location that now sees more patients than any other Legacy campus. Later in the same year, Legacy opened a clinic in Neighborhood Center’s Baker-Ripley complex. In 2012, Legacy acquired a behavioral health clinic located in Baytown, Texas, as well as The Center for AIDS. Shortly afterwards, Legacy received an invitation to partner with CHRISTUS Health to establish an FQHC in Beaumont, Texas. Legacy received funding from CHRISTUS Health and developed a partnership with the Ubi Caritas Family Medical Clinic in Beaumont, thus solidifying the provision of primary care and enabling services in Beaumont. Spring boarding off its successes in Baytown, Legacy was then invited to acquire the Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital Family Medicine clinic, thereby aligning the organization with the Family Medicine Residency Program which trains there. Legacy’s history is grounded upon the provision of high quality health care to all patients. In its early years the clinic responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s by initiating various programs and initiatives before offering full-scale comprehensive health care services by the early 2000s. Today, Legacy drives healthy change in its communities by offering premium primary care, dental care, vision services, behavioral health services for adults and children, family planning, health promotion and community outreach, wellness and nutrition, and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. 16 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Purpose of Assessment Legacy is a key partner in the new collective impact project called Connect@6800 Bellaire, which is also a member of the national Purpose Built Communities National Network. The mission of the Connect@6800 Bellaire is to “use the power of healthy partnerships to create a dynamic place of hope and health that will improve the lives of all the residents through self-reliance and partnerships.”4 The Legacy Clinic is co-located on a campus located at 6800 Bellaire Boulevard in the Sharpstown neighborhood, which is a diverse and disadvantaged community. The Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods are contiguous to the Sharpstown neighborhood. Legacy’s role with Connect@6800 Bellaire is to operate a full-service Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that identifies unmet needs and gaps in health-related services and develops client-centered programs to address those needs. The 6,000 square foot FQHC is a full-service community health clinic that also provides patient education classes. Legacy expanded once again in 2012, opening campuses in medically underserved areas in Baytown and Beaumont, including a long-standing behavioral health practice in Baytown, and a well-established pediatric practice in Beaumont. Legacy is interested in a better understanding of the needs and resources in all three diverse geographic neighborhoods – the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton (SAG) neighborhoods in Houston. Legacy invited the Episcopal Health Foundation to lead an independent community assessment study. The following report provides an overview of the methodology used; quantitative profiles for each of the three study areas; the community voice section, which includes the qualitative participatory research findings; and the Photovoice findings; and recommendations and conclusions. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 17 Methods The assessment protocol was conducted in five phases for the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhood study. Phase Components 1. Prior Assessment and Quantitative Data from the Census’, Vital Statistics, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey; Data Review Maps; Asset Mapping; Meta-analysis of prior assessments 2. Key Informant Interviews Stakeholders Interviewed; Social Networking Map 3. Community Participatory Groups Resident Participatory Groups 4.PhotoVoice Resident PhotoVoice 5. Dissemination of Results Community Tour with PhotoVoice Results 6. Final Report Findings and Recommendations; Printed Report; Website Report Each phase is explained in more detail below. Phase 1: Prior Assessments and Quantitative Data Review Phase 1 of the research began with a review of the most recent assessments that have been completed for the study areas. The review was used to determine if there are results that are presented in more than one assessment. If there were, then those priority topics were incorporated into the qualitative portion of the study where appropriate. This phase also included a detailed review of the demographic makeup of the study area, as well as the epidemiologic data. In order to build on the resources in the area, a formal asset mapping process is included in this study. This data helped to determine where to focus the qualitative phase of the study. For example, the “hot spots” identified included areas with a greater concentration of uninsured, people living below the poverty line and sparse resources. The quantitative data gathered is also included in this report. 18 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Phase 2: Key Informants Interviews Phase 2 of the research overlaps somewhat with Phase 1. This phase consisted of key informant interviews with area stakeholders, which was determined using a sector matrix5 (see Appendix 1). The interviews followed an interview script with specific questions6 (see Appendix 2). The results of the key informant interview questions enabled researchers to better develop the questions that used for the community portion of the qualitative study. There were 12 interviews completed during the key informant interview portion of the study. Those interviewed were asked to recommend residents to participate in the third phase of the study. An analysis of the interview data is included in this final report. Phase 3: Community-Based Participatory Research Phase 3 consisted of six community participatory groups, with local residents participating in each group. The residents identified by the key informants, as well those identified by other stakeholders and partners, were asked to consider being a part of the local investigator team. Those selected from the application process attended a three-day training session. The training enabled the residents to lead the participatory exercises for the greater community event. The local investigators were trained to perform the roles of the facilitator, co-facilitator or note-taker in the participatory groups. Once trained, the local investigators were responsible for assisting researchers in recruiting residents for the participatory groups. The residents invited to participate are the people most affected by the health issues, and for this study focused on the Hispanic population. The perspectives from the residents increased the local knowledge for this area and are reported in this study. That local knowledge will be useful information for Legacy, and should help to guide future decisions that are more reflective of the local community needs and gaps. The participatory group format was guided by the results of the key informant interviews, as well as Legacy’s questions regarding the delivery of the most appropriate services (see Appendix 3). The participants also had an opportunity to add comments to discussion boards in order to define specific barriers (including cultural) and potential solutions to these barriers that helps to create a healthier community. The boards will also help to highlight additional community assets. The local investigators and researchers analyzed the data gathered from the participatory groups. This helped to ensure that the local knowledge assessed was interpreted and reported appropriately and accurately. Phase 4: Photovoice Photovoice refers to projects where participants generate their own photographic work that helps to illuminate a specific research question. A facilitator then works with the group, which is often marginalized and/or disadvantaged, and teaches them to use a camera with the aim of defining, communicating and improving their health.7,8 Participants in this study had the option to use a digital camera or a personal cell phone camera. After a training session, they were asked to return to their communities and document through photographs what made their neighborhood healthy or unhealthy. Participants then reconvened with researchers to review, categorize and select the most representative photos. The pictures expressed, Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 19 usually with captions composed by the photographers, the realities of the photographers’ communities. The photographs can be shared with the public and policy makers in order to create change and to advocate for positive changes in the community, that lead to health. Phase 5: Dissemination Finally, the Foundation and Legacy will host a community listening tour, where the participatory photos and information gathered from the key informants and participatory interviews were presented. Legacy has the option to display the photographs in their clinics and elsewhere. It is the hope of the Foundation that the information compiled in this report will help to make transformational change in these underserved communities. 20 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 How We Work in Communities Social Determinants of Health We acknowledge that health is about more than just the choices an individual makes. The World Health Organization states: “The toxic combination of bad policies, economics, and politics is, in large measure responsible for the fact that a majority of people in the world do not enjoy the good health that is biologically possible…Social injustice is killing people on a grand scale.”9 Ecological models of health take into account multiple levels of influence on health including individual, social/cultural, physical environment, and policy contexts.10 This approach emphasizes the factors that impact individual health and form a complex web around the individual. The factors include living and working conditions, education of parents and unemployment, or as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation states: health starts where we live, learn, work and play.11 Although some social factors, like unemployment may seem to be unrelated to health, this model requires that we consider all of the contextual factors illustrated here by Dahlgren and Whitehead.12 Social determinants of health are considered especially important when building community health in medically underserved, impoverished and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 21 Community Engagement Community Engagement is the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the wellbeing of those people.13 Research has shown greater social capital and participation in health improvement activities using Community Engagement methods. Additionally, social capital builds social ties, networks and support, which is associated with better community health and well-being. Research shows that participatory decision-making can uncover and mobilize community assets, strengths and resources that would have been otherwise overlooked.14 In Community Engagement approaches, there is a continuum that can be illustrated by sector. The diagram below shows on the left, a minimal investment called transactional engagement in community engagement, and as we move across the continuum, there is increasing investment to community engagement, ultimately identified as transformational engagement. CONTINUUM OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Increasing Community Engagement GOVERNMENT (Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand, 2007) Information provision TRAINING ORGANIZATION (International Association for Public Participation, 2007) Inform VOLUNTARY SECTOR (The Rowntree Foundation, 1994) Information COMMUNITY STANCE (Hashagan, 2002) CORPORATE (Altria inc, 2004) Monitor NON-PROFIT CORPORATE ALLIANCES (Rondinelli & London, 2003) Consult Passive Push communication Educate Arm’s length Collaborative processes Involve Consultation Lobby Community decision making Collaborate Deciding together Participative Reactive Transactional Engagement One-off consultation Engage Empower Acting together Supporting Empowerment Leadership Collaborate Interactive collaborations Intensive alliances Transitional Engagement Transformational Engagement The Community Stance begins with a Passive response from the community, with limited community engagement. As you move along the continuum toward increased community engagement, the community 22 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 response leads to Reactive, Participative, Empowerment and finally, Leadership. It is rare that the process is carried through to the transformational points, because of money, time and constraints on resources. Typically, in assessment and intervention design, we stop too soon, leaving the community with feelings of exploitation and fatigue.15 Therefore, we acknowledge that community residents’ wisdom and perception is critical to a better understanding of the needs and assets in the community. One method of community engagement is Community-Based Participatory Research. Community-Based Participatory Research Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative, partnership approach that equitably involves…community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process.16 Community-based participatory research recognizes the community partner as a unit of identity: Building upon community assets Facilitating collaborative decision making Nurturing co-learning Balancing knowledge creation with direct community benefit Focusing on system level change Disseminating benefits to all partners Focusing on long-term commitment to social change.17 Mixed Methods Research We acknowledge multiple ways of knowing and mutual understanding. Mixed Methods Research integrates perspectives of different disciplines such as biostatistics, historical analysis, and social and political theory.18 Mixed Methods Research also combines two types of data: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data includes pictures, music and words, such as what people say in interviews. Quantitative data includes counts and amounts such as population counts, disease rates, and numbers of people served by a clinic. We combine qualitative and quantitative data, bringing community voices to the table to contextualize scientific data. By doing so, we hope to understand the socio-cultural and organizational structures and processes that promote or diminish the health of a defined community. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 23 Prevention Intervention Research We acknowledge that it is best to start early. We focus on prevention of disease and building wellness. Prevention intervention research incorporates policy contexts and community wisdom to create health interventions with measurable outcomes.19 Quantitative Data Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton communities are located in the southwest section of the City of Houston. In 2000, the City of Houston recognized all three of these communities as “Super Neighborhoods.” Below is a map of Harris County, Texas with the Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton areas highlighted. This is a large geographic area with a correspondingly large population of 170,538 people. Ü Legend Sharpstown, Alief, Gulfton Area City of Houston Major Roads Harris County 24 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Miles Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Meta-Analysis of Community Health Needs Assessments in the SAG Area The findings and priority recommendations from the recent Community Health Needs Assessments, reviewed before the study, are detailed below. Title Date Alief – Houston, TX 2013 Community Profile Gulfton Area Neighborhood – 2007 Community Health Reports 20 Study Area 12.2012Alief 2007Gulfton 21 Gulfton Expansion – Houston, Texas 2014 Community Profile 22 2014 Gulfton and Sharpstown Houston’s Alief and Park Place Super Neighborhood – 2004 Community Health Report 2004 Alief and Park Place Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital: Community Health Needs Assessment 24 08.2012 – 05.2013 Harris County Regional Healthcare Partnership (RHP) Plan: Community Needs Assessment, Southeast Texas Regional Healthcare Partnership – Region 3 25 2013 Harris, Austin, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Ft. Bend, Matagorda, Waller, Wharton 23 The Alief – Houston, TX 2013 Community Profile study was a survey completed in 2012 of 364 adults and 824 school-aged children and youth in the Alief neighborhood. The Community Survey focused on six elements of a vibrant community: education, connection, health, housing, economic opportunity and infrastructure. The findings from the survey are summarized below:26 COMMUNITY STRENGTHS Overall desire to live in neighborhood due to proximity to work, families and schools Community diversity leads to the congregation of various cultural groups Housing viewed as affordable; mostly a peaceful environment AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT Affordability and accessibility of health care services; more clinics; more information on healthy lifestyles Increase and improve after school programs and school activities; increase parent involvement Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 25 Improve safety, property maintenance/cleanliness and cost of housing Increase neighborhood safety/security through more police patrols and better lighting; improve streets and sidewalks; better transportation COMMUNITY GOALS To purchase and own a home; find employment or better employment; send children to college; learn English; finish school and pursue postsecondary education; save money for the future The Gulfton Expansion – Houston, TX 2014 Community Profile study was a survey completed in 2012 of 842 adults and 3,081 school-aged children and youth in the Gulfton and Sharpstown neighborhoods. The focus of the study was to better understand life in these neighborhoods from the community’s perspective. This rich study had the following findings:27 COMMUNITY STRENGTHS Overall desire to live in neighborhood due to affordability, proximity (to work, schools, clinics, churches/ mosques, stores, family), the quiet, tranquil environment; diversity School teachers/staff; bilingual classes/services/programs; activities Housing environments viewed as affordable, in proximate locations, and quiet/calm AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT Affordability and accessibility of health care services; more doctors/clinics; services for those without healthcare and for undocumented residents; fewer rules/regulations to receive services; dental and mobile services After school programs and school activities Increase safety around housing areas; property maintenance/cleanliness; better home owners’ associations Increase neighborhood safety/security; transportation; cleanliness; community services/resources; roads; parks COMMUNITY GOALS To overcome citizenship obstacles; better employment opportunities; for residents’ children to attend college; to save; to own a home; to start a business The Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment was completed in May 2013, in part, to fulfill the Federal Government Regulatory requirement for non-profit hospitals. Although the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital is located in this study area, their focus was a county-level analysis, including Harris County and Fort Bend County. Brazoria and Montgomery County data is included as a comparison. 26 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Memorial Hermann Southwest’s priorities from their assessment are listed below. PRIORITY #1: Heart disease Cancer Diabetes Alzheimer’s Education and prevention for diseases and chronic conditions: PRIORITY #2: Address issues with service integration, such as coordination among providers and the fragmented continuum of care: Lack of information and record sharing, such as electronic medical records Lack of communication between providers Patient needs for medical homes Inappropriate ED use PRIORITY #3: Address barriers to primary care, such as affordability and shortage of providers Cost Number of providers PRIORITY #4: Address unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors Obesity Communicable diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis) Accidents PRIORITY #5: Address barriers to mental healthcare, such as access to services and shortage of providers Number of providers Adequacy and access issues Substance abuse services PRIORITY #6: Decrease health disparities by targeting specific populations Safety net population (under/uninsured, working poor, indigent) Unemployed Children Elderly and “almost elderly” (those who are not yet eligible for Medicare) Asian immigrant population Homeless Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 27 The Regional Healthcare Partnership (RHP) Plan: Community Needs Assessment, Southeast Texas Regional Healthcare Partnership – Region 3 was completed in 2013 as part of the requirement for the region’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver Expansion for Harris County, and eight other nearby counties. The key challenges identified for this large region include the following: Inadequate number of primary and specialty care providers. As discussed throughout this background overview, the region faces a significant shortage of primary and specialty care providers. Patients are unable to locate a provider willing to serve them, face extended waits for appointments, or are unable to locate a provider with extended hours in order to accommodate work schedules. Addressing this problem requires a long-term solution that includes development of the educational infrastructure as well as programs for attracting and retaining qualified providers. High prevalence of chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cardio- vascular disease and cancer. Region 3 has high rates of chronic disease, which account for a significant portion of health care spending, are a leading cause of disabilities, and are factors in a majority of deaths. Many of these problems may be alleviated through a coordinated care system that includes improved access to care, patient education, and care management to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time in the right setting. Diverse patient population speaking multiple languages, and with varying cultural backgrounds. Improving the health care services for a diverse population requires a variety of approaches that are uniquely suited for each population. Without effective patient education and communication programs that address language and cultural barriers, patients will not receive the services they need for the best possible health outcomes and may delay seeking appropriate and preventive care. High number of uninsured patients. With more than one million uninsured patients, the region struggles to keep up with the demand for services. Patients do not receive basic health care services, delay treatment, and often seek primary care services through the emergency rooms, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in unnecessary spending. High prevalence of behavioral health conditions and lack of an integrated care solution. The region lacks both the providers and facilities to adequately meet the demand for behavioral health care, and is often unable to provide an integrated approach that meets both the physical and mental health care needs of the patient. Many individuals may receive either physical treatment or behavioral health care, but not both, or they receive no care at all. The current system is fragmented and difficult to navigate, and challenging for both patients and providers. These problems can be addressed by creating a health service system that is fully coordinated and integrated with behavioral health and primary health care, as well as services provided through school programs, criminal justice systems, and social service providers. 28 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Fragmentation of patient services throughout a large, uncoordinated health care system. Regardless of insurance status, many patients receive fragmented health care that is both inefficient and ineffective. Patients may receive duplicative and unnecessary services, which could be avoided through a regional integrated care system that maximizes the use of electronic health records (EHR) and health information exchange. While implementation of coordinated care systems involves planning, training and communication strategies that maximize the use of technology, it is both challenging and costly. The long-term benefits will be significant in terms of reductions in unnecessary services and costs, and improved patient care and outcomes. Limited access to public transportation and emergency medical services. Many patients live in areas that provide little or no options for public transportation to acquire medical care, and have very limited options for emergency transportation. Services vary greatly throughout the region, and are especially limited for those living in rural communities with limited resources and large territories to cover. The absence of these services results in patients delaying necessary care until it becomes a critical health care condition, when relying on emergency transportation for services could have been provided in a primary care setting, or avoided entirely. An aging population and increased need for high-cost services, including behavioral health care. Although this problem is certainly not unique to Region 3, the large number of individuals that will require increased services (many of whom are already in poor health) poses significant problems. Dealing with these problems will require a coordinated delivery system approach that takes into account the unique physical and behavioral health needs and limitations of the elderly population and a community-wide effort to develop cost effective, long term solutions. Increasing the number of specialty providers, and providing additional training for primary care providers treating older patients are critical challenges that must be met to ensure these patients receive appropriate care and services and secure the best healthcare outcome possible. Inadequate IT infrastructure necessary for improved care coordination. Though the region has made progress on the implementation of EHR, extensive expansion and implementation is necessary to meet the future needs of this community. Improvements in health care delivery as well as the monitoring and tracking of progress and outcomes are dependent on an effective program through which providers can track and share patient information and services. Socio-Demographic Data This section includes socio-demographic data for the SAG neighborhoods. More detailed data is included in the individual neighborhood sections. All three neighborhoods have a higher population density than Houston. Gulfton has the highest density with 13,502 persons per square mile, which is 3.5 times the rate of the city of Houston.28 Sharpstown and Gulfton have a higher percentage of children under 5 years of age living in their communities. Only 3% of the population in the Gulfton neighborhood was people over 65 years of age. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 29 Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Neighborhoods Population by Race/Ethnicity and by Age Sharpstown Alief Gulfton Houston 68,939 63,253 38,346 2,107,449 8,072 4,477 13,502 3,766 White 10,341 (15%) 6,325 (10%) 3,068 (8%) 547,937 (26%) Black 9,651 (14%) 15,181 (24%) 3,451 (9%) 484,713 (23%) Hispanic 37,916 (55%) 29,096 (46%) 28,760 (75%) 927,278 (44%) Asian 11,030 (16%) 12,018 (19%) 2,684 (7%) 126,447 (6%) 383 (1%) 21,074 (1%) Total Population Persons Per Square Mile Race/Ethnicity Other (1%) 632 (1%) 6,894 (10%) 5,060 (8%) 4,218 (11%) 168,596 (11%) 689 Age Group Under 5 Years 5 - 17 Years 12,409 (18%) 13,916 (22%) 7,286 (19%) 379,341 (19%) 18 - 64 Years 43,432 (63%) 40,482 (64%) 25,962 (67%) 1,369,842 (67%) Over 65 Years 6,205 (9%) 4,428 (7%) 1,150 (3%) 189,670 (3%) Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Neighborhoods by Race/Ethnicity The history of the Gulfton, Sharps- town and Alief neighborhoods closely parallels the historical changes in Houston during the past 50 years. During the 1970s and 1980s, the migration pattern in Houston began to change. What had been mostly white, single, American born, English-speaking neighborhoods became Hispanic, foreign born and Spanish-speaking immigrant family communities, resulting in a rich diversity that now mirrors Houston, which is one of the most diverse cities in the US. Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 30 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The maps below display the race/ethnicity by census tract for each of the three study areas. Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Race/Ethnicity by Census Tract Poverty According to the Health of Houston Survey, 31% of residents in the SAG area had a household income of less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).29 SAG Houston Population Below 100% FPL 31.% 26.% Population Below 139% FPL 56.% 42.% Experiencing Economic Hardship 57.% 48.% Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 31 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) identifies the federal poverty level as:30 2015 Poverty Guidelines Persons in family/household Poverty Guideline 1 $11,770 2 $15,930 3 $20,090 4 $24,250 5 $28,410 6 $32,570 7 $36,730 8 $40,890 *For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,160 for each additional person. 32 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The map below shows the highest concentration of the population living below the FPL. While there are pockets of poverty in Alief, many more census tracts in both Sharpstown and Gulfton have a higher proportion of people living in poverty. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 33 Uninsured Forty-seven percent of the adult residents living in the SAG neighborhood had no insurance compared to 31% in Houston.31 Seventy-nine percent of the SAG residents do not have dental insurance, compared to 59% in Houston.32 The map below illustrates that there are several census tracts in Sharpstown and Gulfton that have uninsured rates over 50%. 34 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Health Data The map below is from the Health of Houston Survey (2010). Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods are highlighted within the circle. The Health of Houston Survey (HHS) is a population survey of randomly chosen households in Houston and Harris County intended to provide communities with information about the unmet health needs of both adults and children and to offer timely data to local organizations, elected officials and health care leaders seeking to improve the public’s health. With participation from over 5,000 respondents, it is the area’s most extensive health survey to date assembling facts on health, healthcare and lifestyle, as well as on social, economic and neighborhood risk factors, and making these available free of charge to anyone interested.33 Almost one-third of the SAG population reports fair or poor health status. Reported limitations of pain are lower in this community, compared to the Houston area. Additionally, fewer obese adults and being overweight and obese are lower than the Houston area. However, this is not the case for children. Although Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 35 reported diabetes and cancer diagnoses are higher in this community, when compared with Houston, there is a lower proportion of reported diagnoses of CVD, hypertension and asthma. Uninsured rates in SAG are significantly higher for adults, but lower for children, with the exception of dental insurance for children. All indicators related to access to care are worse for the adults, but better for the children, when compared with the City of Houston. Although there were a higher percentage of reports of serious psychological distress, there were much fewer mental health visits. Thirty-four percent of the residents (18+) in SAG rarely eats breakfast as compared to 28% in the Houston area. Almost half of the SAG population reported stray animals and crime as a neighborhood problem. Regarding preventive services, this community seeks screening for common cancers much less often than the residents of the City of Houston. Sharpstown, Alief, Gulfton (SAG) – Health of Houston Survey (2010) Highlighted Questions from 2010 SAG Houston Area Fair or poor Health 29% 20% Pain Ever Limits Function 32% 35% Overweight and Obese Adults 58% 63% Children at Unhealthy Weight 43% 34% Diabetes Diagnosis 15% 11% Cancer Diagnosis 7% 6% CVD Diagnosis 5% 7% 7% 9% No Insurance Adults 47% 31% No Dental Insurance - Adults 79% 59% No Dental Insurance - Children 32% 27% Barriers to Healthcare Access - Adults 32% 24% Barriers to Healthcare Access - Children 17% 23% Serious Psychological Distress 12% 7% Mental Health Perceived Need 16% 16% Unscreened for Breast Cancer (women 40-74 yrs) 37% 36% Unscreened for Cervical Cancer (women 21-65 yrs) 25% 20% Ever Miss Breakfast 17% 19% Fast Food consumption - Children 20% 22% Less than recommended Physical activity 77% 77% Not home owner 46% 36% No Fruits and Vegetables Avialable 17% 16% Crime Problem 42% 26% Stray Animal Problem 48% 37% Asthma Diagnosis 36 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Crime Statistics In 2014, twenty percent of all city-wide robberies and almost 20% of all city-wide murders occurred in the SAG study area.34 The Houston Police Department beats included in Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Superneighborhoods are 17E10, 17E20, 18F50, 18F60, 19G10, 19G20, 19G30, 19G40 19G50, 20G10. A map of these beats can be found in Appendix 6. Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton Crime Statistics for 2014 Month Aggravated Assault Auto Theft Burglary Murder Rape Robbery Theft January 119 159 300 3 14 238 650 February 117 140 244 3 6 158 578 March 153 137 232 4 6 140 634 April 138 154 272 6 14 133 587 May 150 145 285 8 178 573 June 119 149 136 7 11 108 324 July 103 179 244 3 11 158 487 August 166 192 240 11 152 535 September 169 180 248 6 10 203 553 October 140 209 248 3 9 189 595 November 114 225 216 2 6 159 545 December 119 179 226 6 5 173 536 Total 1607 2048 2891 43 111 1989 6597 % of Citywide Crime by Type 15% 15% 14% 19% 15% 20% 10% Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 37 Sharpstown Neighborhood Today Sharpstown is an incredibly diverse area, ethnically, economically, and in terms of the many different types of land use in the area. Sharpstown is located in the City of Houston, Harris County and is part of the Houston Independent School District. This neighborhood includes frontage on two major freeways (US-59 and Beltway 8), the vibrant Harwin Street retail corridor, Houston Baptist University, Memorial Hermann Hospital System, the Sharpstown subdivisions, PlazAmericas Mall, and dozens of churches, community centers, recreation options, and much more. Land Use Map35 38 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 PUBLIC FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE SHARPSTOWN AREA Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 39 Population The Sharpstown population has increased from 75,341 in 2000, to 83,906 in 2014, and is displayed in the table below.36 Sharpstown Population by Age Group 2000 2012 Age Number Percent Number Percent Under 5 years 7,709 10% 6,894 10% 5-17 years 13,104 17% 12,409 18% 18-64 years 50,105 65% 43,431 63% 65 and over 6,167 8% 6,205 9% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Education Most of the education indicators for Sharpstown, show educational status decline, when compared to Houston, with the exception of the percentage of those receiving a High School diploma. This percentage increased in Sharpstown from 20% in 2000 to 23% in 2012. However, 40% of people living in Sharpstown do not have a High school diploma, compared to 25% for Houston.37 EDUCATIONAL STATUS FOR SHARPSTOWN Sharpstown Houston 200020122000 2012 Educational Status No Diploma 34%40%30%25% High School Diploma 20%23%20%22% Some College 23%20%23%24% Bachelor’s or Higher 23%18%27%29% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding. 40 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Household Characteristics According to the US Census Bureau, 54% of the homes in Sharpstown were built between 1970-1979. Twenty-nine percent of the homes in Sharpstown were owner occupied, compared to 71%, which were renter occupied.38 The median household income for Sharpstown has only increased $894 from 2000 to 2012. The median household income for Houston on the other hand has increased $8,032 in the same period of time, as seen in the table below.39 HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS FOR SHARPSTOWN Sharpstown Houston 200020122000 2012 Households Total Households Family Households 27,802 23,289 717,945 773,450 67% 66% 64% 61% 29,503 29,454 782,378 902,153 Housing Total housing Units Occupied 94% 79% 92% 86% 6% 21% 8% 14% Under $25,000 41% 39% 33% 28% $25,000-$50,000 34% 34% 31% 26% $50,000-$100,000 19% 19% 24% 26% Over $100,001 6% 8% 12% 9% Vacant Income Median Household Income $31,377$32,271$36,616$44,648 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 41 Language LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN SHARPSTOWN 100% In Sharpstown, 59% of children, 90% ages 5-17, and 53% of people 20% 22% 5% 9% 46% 38% 26% 19% 80% between the ages of 18-64 70% are Spanish speaking. Twenty- 9% 16% 60% six percent of adults 65 years 50% and older speak a language 53% 59% 40% other than English or Spanish. 72% 30% This compares to 9% of adults 58% in Houston40 (as shown in the 10% chart to the right). 53% 48% 20% 25% 21% 0% 5-17 18-64 65+ 5-17 18-64 Sharpstown English 65+ Houston Spanish Other Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Employment In 2011, the unemployment rate in Sharpstown was almost 10%, higher than the the Houston rate of 8.4%.41 EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR SHARPSTOWN Sharpstown Count Houston PercentCount Percent Total 50,402 1,605,215 34,803 1,092,988 68.1% 34,787 69.0% 1,092,230 68.0% 31,382 62.3% 1,000,486 62.3% 3,405 6.8% 91,744 5.7% 16 0.0% 758 0.0% 512,227 31.9% In Labor Force Civilian Labor Force Employed Unemployed Armed Forces Not in Labor Force Percent Unemployed 69.1% 15,599 30.9% 9.8% 8.4% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. 42 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Alief Neighborhood Alief is located in the City of Houston, Harris County and includes the Alief Independent School District. Alief is located in far southwest Houston. It is bordered by the Fort Bend county line on the south, the Sam Houston Tollway to the east, Westpark Tollway to the north, and Highway 6 to the west. The Alief Independent School District serves the majority of the Alief Super neighborhood area. Land Use Map Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 43 PUBLIC FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE ALIEF AREA 44 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Population The population by age for Alief has increased significantly for all age groups and is displayed in the table below.42 Alief Population by Age Group 2000 2012 Age Number Percent Number Percent Under 5 years 3,764 9% 5,060 8% 5-17 years 9,619 23% 13,916 22% 18-64 years 26,346 63% 40,482 64% 65 and over 2,091 5% 3,795 6% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source US Census Bureau 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Education Three out of the four educational status indicators for Alief have declined from 2000 to 2012. Although, there has been a moderate increase in the percentage of the population in Alief obtaining a High School Diploma there has also been a slight increase in the percentage of population with no high school diploma. EDUCATIONAL STATUS FOR ALIEF Alief Houston 200020122000 2012 Educational Status No Diploma 28%31%30%25% High School Diploma 22%28%20%22% Some College 29%24%23%24% Bachelor’s or Higher 21%16%27%29% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 45 Household Characteristics According to the US Census bureau 53% of the homes in Alief were built between 1970-1979. Forty- seven percent of households were owner occupied and 53% were renter occupied. The median household income for Alief has decreased $2,483 from 2000 to 2012. Interestingly enough the median household income for Houston has increased $8,032 in the same period. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS FOR ALIEF Alief Houston 2000 2012 2000 2012 Total Households 30,990 30,753 717,945 773,450 Family Households 76% 74% 64% 61% 33,067 36,443 782,378 902,153 Households Housing Total housing Units Occupied 94% 84% 92% 86% 6% 16% 8% 14% Under $25,000 31% 32% 33% 28% $25,000-$50,000 38% 35% 31% 26% $50,000-$100,000 25% 25% 24% 26% Over $100,001 6% 8% 12% 9% $37,237 $36,616 $44,648 Vacant Income Median Household Income $39,720 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 46 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Language LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN ALIEF In Alief, 51% of children ages 5-17 are Spanish speaking. Thirty-three percent of adults 65 years and older speak a language other than English or Spanish. 100% 90% 13% 25% 80% 51% 42% 50% 9% 46% 38% 33% 21% 40% 72% 30% 20% 10% 9% 19% 70% 60% 5% 36% 33% 5-17 18-64 46% 48% 65+ 5-17 53% 0% 18-64 Alief English 65+ Houston Spanish Other Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Employment Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. In 2011, the unemployment rate for Alief was 9.5%, higher than the Houston rate of 8.4%.43 EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR ALIEF Alief Count Total In Labor Force Houston Percent 74,881 Percent 1,092,988 68.1% 51,626 68.9% 1,092,230 68.0% Employed 46,734 62.4% 1,000,486 62.3% Unemployed 4,892 6.5% 91,744 5.7% Armed Forces 20 Civilian Labor Force Not in Labor Force Percent Unemployed 51,647 Count 1,605,215 69.0% 0.0% 23,234 31.0% 758 512,227 9.5% 0.0% 31.9% 8.4% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 47 Gulfton Neighborhood Gulfton is located in the City of Houston, Harris County and is part of the Houston Independent School District. Gulfton is located just outside of Loop 610, in southwest Houston, south of US 59. Land Use Map 48 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 PUBLIC FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE GULFTON AREA Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 49 Population The population by age for Gulfton has increased significantly since 2000, and is displayed in the table below.44 Gulfton Population by Age Group 2000 2012 Age Number Percent Number Percent Under 5 years 5,101 11% 4,218 11% 5-17 years 8,810 19% 7,286 19% 18-64 years 31,531 68% 25,692 67% 65 and over 927 2% 1,150 3% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source US Census Bureau 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Education All of the educational status indicators for Gulfton have improved from 2000 to 2012 with the exception of a slight decrease in the percentage of the population receiving a Bachelor’s degree or higher. EDUCATIONAL STATUS FOR GULFTON Gulfton Houston 200020122000 2012 Educational Status No Diploma 56%47%30%25% High School Diploma 16%21%20%22% Some College 13%18%23%24% Bachelor’s or Higher 16%15%27%29% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 50 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Household Characteristics According to the US Census Bureau 53% of the homes in Gulfton were built between 1970-1979. The median household income for Gulfton has increased $6,358 from 2000 to 2012 as compared to $8,032 increase for Houston during that same time period. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS FOR GULFTON Gulfton Houston 200020122000 2012 Households Total Households Family Households 15,659 13,307 717,945 773,450 63% 61% 64% 61% 17,467 17,012 782,378 902,153 Housing Total housing Units Occupied 90% 78% 92% 86% 10% 22% 8% 14% Under $25,000 51% 44% 33% 28% $25,000-$50,000 34% 34% 31% 26% $50,000-$100,000 13% 17% 24% 26% Over $100,001 3% 4% 12% 9% Vacant Income Median Household Income $25,069$31,427 $36,616$44,648 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 51 Language LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN GULFTON In Gulfton, 78% of children ages 5-17 and 71% of people between the ages of 18-64 are Spanish speaking. Twenty-four percent of adults 65 years and older speak a language other than English or Spanish. 100% 6% 13% 90% 5% 9% 46% 38% 24% 19% 80% 70% 60% 50% 32% 78% 71% 40% 72% 30% 16% 16% 5-17 18-64 53% 48% 44% 20% 10% 9% 0% 65+ 5-17 18-64 Alief Gulfton Employment 65+ Houston Spanish Other Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. In 2011, the unemployment rate for Gulfton was 9.1%, higher than the rate for Houston at 8.4%.45 A significant proportion of the population in Gulfton is working, when compared with Houston. This is, in part, related to the younger population living in Gulfton, with only 3% of the residents over age 65. EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR GULFTON Gulfton Count Total In Labor Force PercentCount 29,008 Percent 1,605,215 1,092,988 68.1% 22,321 76.9% 1,092,230 68.0% Employed 20,295 70.0% 1,000,486 62.3% Unemployed 2,026 7.0% 91,744 5.7% Civilian Labor Force 22,370 Houston Armed Forces 13 Not in Labor Force Percent Unemployed 6,638 77.1% 0.0% 22.9% 758 0.0% 512,227 31.9% 9.1% 8.4% Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. 52 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Qualitative Research Qualitative Community Health Assessment PREPARED BY DR. PEGGY GOETZ -------------May-August 2015------------- Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 53 Qualitative Research Neighborhood/Area Specific Information and History This assessment includes three large neighborhoods in southwest Houston. Although they are contiguous, they are distinctive regarding the social determinants of health, their culture and their demographics. Gulfton The histories of the Gulfton, Sharpstown, and Alief neighborhoods closely reflect the times and history of Houston, and explains much of the current local context. Gulfton, the smallest of the three neighborhoods at 2.8 square miles, is bounded by S. Rice Ave to the east, Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59 to the north and northwest, Hillcroft Street to the west and Bissonnet Street to the south. Originally an orchard, Gulfton was eventually platted for homes on an acre or more of land, creating large blocks, rather than more traditional sized lots. The blocks were eventually purchased in the 1970s for construction of large two-story apartment complexes. These complexes targeted the influx of young singles working in the oil boom years of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bust followed boom and in the mid-1980s these apartments became vacant as companies laid off workers. This coincided with the civil wars in Central America and a large influx of immigrants into the Houston area. Managers became more lenient when it came to occupancy laws, and the required deposits. In just a few years what had been a white, single, American born, English speaking neighborhood, became an Hispanic, foreign born and Spanish speaking immigrant family community. Gulfton is the most densely populated neighborhood in Houston, with 13,502 persons per square mile. In comparison, the average person per square mile for Houston is 3,766. One apartment complex with 500 units is home to over 2,000 people. Gulfton’s residents see the people who share a common language, as a positive influence, and on the other hand, they perceive problems related to overcrowding as a negative influence. The apartments were built for the short term, without thought to long term sustainability or the creation of a functional community. Over the last 10-15 years much has changed with improved health, social services, schools, and local businesses. However, much of the good and bad perceptions of the neighborhood find its roots in the history of the neighborhood. Sharpstown The Sharpstown neighborhood is the second in size, at 8.5 square miles, and is bounded to the north by the Westpark Tollway, the south by Interstate 69/Highway 59 and Bissonnet Street, the west by Beltway 8 and the east by Hillcroft Street. 54 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The development of Sharpstown is in sharp contrast to Gulfton’s. Well thought-out and constructed, Sharpstown was the first master planned community in Houston and was dedicated in 1955. Frank Sharp, the developer, included schools, parks, and shopping in the design, which was quite novel at the time. The Sharpstown Country Club Golf course had five lakes, complete with stocked fish, such as bass and perch. In 1965 the Houston Golf Open was held there. Just six years later, the Sharpstown stock fraud scandal broke, with Frank Sharp at its center. By 1972, top state officials were indicted, convicted and the political careers of many others were ruined. The Security Exchange Commission’s indictment caused a run on Sharp’s Sharpstown Bank, which led to its failure, which at that time, was the largest in FDIC history. One lasting local result was the purchase of 2/3 of the Country Club by the City of Houston, now named the Sharpstown Golf Course and Community Center. The 1980s and 1990s saw “white” flight as residents moved to newer developments in the suburbs, such as Sugar Land. Today, the neighborhood has original residents, along with new families living in well maintained single family homes. Primarily immigrants rent the apartment complexes, located along Bellaire Boulevard and Harwin Street. The current population by ethnicity/race is 55% Hispanic, 15% White, 14% Black and 17% Asian and Other.46 Alief Alief, the largest of the three neighborhoods, at 14.1 sq. miles, is bordered by Westheimer to the north, Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) to the east, the Fort Bend County Line to the west and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59 to the south. Until the 1970s Alief was primarily pastureland and a separate city from Houston. Many people moved to Alief due to the growth of Houston and the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1977 Houston began annexing sections of Alief. During the 1970s, the migration pattern in Houston continued to change. Like residents in Sharpstown, many White residents moved to the newer suburbs, such as Sugar Land. Minorities who could not afford to do so, moved to Alief. The racial/ethnic diversity has continued to grow there. The population shifted from 80% white in 1978 to a current mix of 10% White, 24% Black, 19% Asian and 46% Hispanic. Like Gulfton, the housing stock is primarily from the 1970s and 1980s and showing wear. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 55 Key Informant Interviews Key Informants for Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton included twelve individuals from the following sectors: Sector Neighborhood GenderAgeRace/Ethnicity Political Sharpstown Female30sWhite Political Gulfton Female30sHispanic Health Sharpstown Female30sBlack Health Gulfton Male 40sAsian Police Gulfton Male 50sHispanic Voluntary/Grassroots Sharpstown Female60sWhite Religious Alief Male 30sWhite Religious Gulfton Male 60sHispanic Religious Gulfton Male 50sHispanic Individual Sharpstown, Gulfton Female 60s Hispanic Social Services Sharpstown Female 60s White Social Services Sharpstown, Gulfton Female 30s Hispanic Individuals were invited to participate based on the investigators’ existing networks and through established contacts. All who were invited to be Key Informants agreed and were subsequently interviewed. ProSalud works with community health workers (CHWs)/promotoras in the target neighborhoods. Seven certified CHWs who work or volunteer with ProSalud were trained as local investigators. They recruited the community participants and facilitated all six community participatory group sessions. 56 Language Sex Age Ethnicity Preferred Language Local Investigator 1 F 30s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 2 F 30s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 3 F 30s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 4 F 30s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 5 F 40s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 6 F 60s Hispanic Spanish Local Investigator 7 F 60s Hispanic Spanish Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Analysis Methodology Key Informants Episcopal Health Foundation’s Community Engagement Officer, Troy Bush, and the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton (SAG) study investigator, Dr. Margaret Goetz, jointly interviewed the Key Informants, with the exception of a few interviews due to primary language preference or scheduling. Roles of note taker and interviewer were alternated between Mr. Bush and Dr. Goetz. Notes were typed as soon as possible after the interview. Participatory Groups Mr. Bush and Dr. Goetz trained the Local Investigators to code their notes for the participatory group sessions. The notes for the six sessions were divided into three groups of two sessions each and each group was assigned two promotoras. For each community participatory group session, the promotoras alternated roles of facilitator, co-facilitator and note takers. The promotoras coded all the notes taken for the assigned sessions. After they completed the individual coding, the promotoras came together to discuss their findings and major points of the participatory groups. QUESTION 1. If a family you knew wanted to move into this neighborhood what would you tell them about this neighborhood? In all three neighborhoods, the strongest responses included: a) “diversity” – of cultures, races, languages, immigrants b) accessible centers with different resources for various groups, being described by one K.I. as “good for first-timers (immigrants)” c) affordable – especially housing. For Sharpstown and Gulfton, good schools, neighborhood improvements, and improved safety were the strongest responses. One Sharpstown Key Informant noted that their City Councilman is a strong asset. Two Gulfton Key Informants warned about crime and unsafe apartments and one of them also noted that parents are not involved in their children’s formal and informal education. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 57 The Key Informants’ responses are grouped together in the table below. S,A,G S,G S G Diversity Good schools City Councilman very supportive of neighborhood Some apartments unsafe Accessible resource centers Neighborhood improvements Violence/crime Affordable Improved safety Good for “first timers” immigrants and refugees Job opportunities Parents’ lack of involvement in children’s’ formal and informal education QUESTION 2. What would you say are the strongest and best qualities of this community? What are some of the good things about living in this community for you? 58 S,A,GS,G G Diverse Services for immigrants Multi-cultural Churches Businesses by foreign businessmen Like a little town – can walk to almost anything you need Their language is spoken METRO Central to other Houston areas Job, home, and/or school all close by Has grown for good High trust level of some centers Eager for adult education (language, training) School options (pre-K -12th) Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 QUESTION 3. Think about the problems you see in the community. If you had the power to solve all the problems in your community in a short time what problems would you address? What would you say are the most serious needs in this community? S,A,G S,A S,G G Education – all ages for civility, rights and responsibilities Poor street repair No respect for shared-space trash Increase selfsufficiency (read, write, how to ride bus, etc.) No afterschool activities for youth – ripe for gangs Poor parenting Unemployment Domestic violence Crime –with high population density comes more vandalism, robberies Business opportunities; lack of jobs Immigrants vulnerable to robberies Psychological trauma after robbery, nowhere to go for treatment Lack of connection to neighbors –gangs, robbery Need more police patrols and real time communication of community with police Increase workforce connections for dropouts, under skilled, and those with criminal background Prostitution Education – ESL Lack of child care – so women can keep clinic appointments and take care of themselves, access other services Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 59 QUESTION 4. What would you say stands in the way of dealing with these issues? S,A,G S,G G S Funding Undocumented status Community meetings where people talk about why something is important to them Lack of agencies that help with Harris Health Financial Assistance Application and provide one-on-one education about how to access health resources Lack of interagency communication Lack of space for ESL Focused on just surviving Education – GED, training, good citizenship, behavior Lack of understanding; how no GED, no English means one is not a candidate for workforce programs Lack of common language between people and all categories of providers 60 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 QUESTION 5. When you think about the people who live and work in this neighborhood, what do you think are the biggest health concerns for them? S,A,G S,G G Diabetes Self-medicate (buy or share prescription meds) Dental – too expensive High blood pressure Mental health* Lack of physical activities and clean parks and park facilities Few have doctor/primary care or have screenings, so don’t know if they have an illnesses until it’s obvious Their children’s health Stress Eating habits Obesity *One responded that they don’t know where to go, or that it is too expensive or don’t have time. Also, one responded that people don’t consider it an illness “because an illness is when something hurts in my body.” QUESTION 6. When there is a health problem, either mental or physical, where do people in the neighborhood get help? S,A,G S,A G Harris Health Clinics: Vallbona El Franco Lee Legacy Mom and Pop clinics* ER – Memorial Hermann Southwest or Ben Taub General Hospital Ibn Sina Need a place for divine healing (prayer ministry) City of Houston Southwest Multi-Service Center – they can direct the person Busy Bee Legacy for mental health Dental – don’t know; is low priority *Three Key Informants from medical, religious, and social service backgrounds said independently that the quality of care is unknown or very poor. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 61 QUESTION 7. If individuals, groups or agencies could work together to improve the health and well-being of this community, who do you think should participate in that effort? S,A,G S,G G “Everyone” -profit, and non-profit, UTHSC dental, optometry, nursing, HBU, BCM Most of agencies and city and county services already working together Churches, businesses and schools – Not agencies because they’re thinking about how they can grow SuperNeighborhood Councils Legacy, Houston Health Dept., Harris Health System, Vallbona Clinic, Bo’s Place, FQHCs, Harris County Youth Service, West Oaks Hospital, Houston Area Urban League (business and other services), United Way, mental health resources for all ages Everyone who serves families NCI Baker Ripley where community trust is high School system, financial system, housing system, health system, neighborhood centers, Catholic Charities, United Way, NCI, Jewish Family Services, others 62 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 QUESTION 8. If you were advising a group interested in improving the health and wellbeing of this community, where would you recommend that they begin their work in further developing the potential of this neighborhood? S,A,G S,A G S Help families “take ownership” Social organizations to decrease families’ intimidation that they feel with our medical system before they go to doctor, clinic, hospital, etc. They’ve done the studies, now they need to put their mission and vision into practice Have City Councilman convene meeting so it is not one agency convening and leading it More information about preventive care, more holistic care – not just grants about a specific thing Work with existing classes and develop topics from the students’ interests Safety People who use your services and Community Health Workers can get information to the people Beautification Healthier food options, especially for “fast food” Front desk receptionists to smile, give each person time, explain things clearly and slowly Better and more Spanish speaking services Crime – loitering, prostitution Work with apartments and apartment managers Confusion between SWMSC and NCI B-R Churches SWMSC, City Councilman, State Rep – focus on family building, empowering youth, seniors, overall health Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 63 Participatory Community Groups by Neighborhood GULFTON What Is Community? A group of diverse persons who live in the same area and who have good communication with one another Where there are public services, community centers, stores, businesses, parks, churches, and security What is Health? Personal well-being / To be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually well Positive personal habits: healthy eating, exercise, good sleep, visiting the doctor, being happy It is not having vices – like smoking, drinking, and drugs Not being stressed “It is where poverty is not a barrier to seeing a doctor” What is Healthy in Your Community? People treating each other well Recreation areas like parks, swimming pools, gyms; plants and trees (Major theme is people getting along and parks& recreation) Churches Services such as clinics, schools, including health education classes for parents; they offer, after-school programs, safety (police), emergency clinics Trash goes where it belongs Work What is Not Healthy in Your Community? Environmental Pollution Trash and garbage everywhere Streets and apartments in bad repair Pests and stray dogs Human Vices ● Drugs and drug dealers ● Smoking Crime 64 ● Prostitution Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 ● Gangs ● Human Trafficking ● Lack of safety Personal Habits ● Throw garbage everywhere ● Don’t call police when they see a problem or crime in progress What Keeps Your Community from Being Healthy? Environmental or Structural Undocumented status Low income, no jobs Old apartments Bars close to schools Pests High rents Lack of information Garbage Wastewater drains dirty and in poor repair Human Ourselves – we say we want something but we don’t do anything, not motivated Lack of information or communication Lack of civility Fear of retaliation by criminals if report incidents to police Fear to leave home (personal safety) Racism Language What Do You Do that is Not Healthy? Unhealthy eating habits Fast foods Drink sodas, coffee, alcohol Tacos, papusas, tamales, too much fat Bad Habits Smoking Don’t exercise Criticize people Don’t sleep well Lack personal and home cleanliness Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 65 What Do You Do that Is Healthy? Buy, cook and eat healthy foods Exercise Go to doctor Personal hygiene Do things with family and friends Go to church Be positive What Keeps You from Doing Healthy Things? Procrastination or lack of motivation No Time Too much work Poor time management Watch TV Time on cell phone Depression, stress No safe places to exercise SHARPSTOWN What is Community? Made up of people (from different countries ) People know each other, share, get together Where there are services Where people talk about community problems and what to do Where people feel good A geographic area What is Health? Tied to personal or family’s well-being and health To feel well physically and mentally (spiritual health only mentioned once) Health is split 50/50 between being physically well and absence of illness To live in harmony (with family and community) To practice good health habits (exercise, eat well, sleep, check-ups, good attitude, hygiene) 66 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 What is Healthy in Your Community? Natural environment Trees, parks, plants Built environment Community centers, shopping centers, clinics, WIC, library, schools, pharmacies, potable water, street lighting Keeping it clean Human Friends, family, nice neighbors Living in harmony with neighbors Medical services in Spanish No mention pro or con of police, security What is NOT Healthy in Your Community? Environment Dirty neighborhood Noisy (can’t sleep) Lack of schools, health centers Vices Prostitution (particularly disliked because their children see it and husbands can infect their wives) Drugs Alcohol/drunks Smoking Individual Do not call police with reportable offenses - sometimes for fear of criminals’ retribution Gangs Child abuse What Keeps Your Community from Being Healthy? Community Level Discrimination ● Lack of documents ● Feeling as if they have no value ● Poor wages/no jobs/no income Gangs Garbage/trash Lack of information/communication Do not meet or attend community meetings (to discuss problems) Individual/Family Level No civility (polite, respectful, minimum of social requirements) this is major theme Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 67 ● As individual ● Not taught to family members, especially children Family discord, especially regarding family plans Lack of communication within family Lack of information What Do You Do that is NOT Healthy? Lifestyle (* - most frequently mentioned) ● Lack of self-discipline/schedule ● No eating schedule * ● Lack exercise* ● Sleep schedule ● Do not make and/or do not keep doctor’s appointments Nutrition ● Poor food choices ● Fast food ● Drink – sodas, alcohol, coffee Vices ● Smoke ● Drugs ● Alcohol Personal Mental Health – worry, get angry Physical Health ● Self- prescribe medicines ● Doctor’s appointments – none What Do You Do that IS Healthy? Lifestyle Healthy eating and cooking Hygiene (personal, home, food) Exercise No drinking or smoking Personal Mental Health – being friendly (very important), patient Spiritual Health Physical Health ● Keep doctor’s appointments ● Take meds correctly Reading and being informed 68 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 What Keeps You from Doing Healthy Things? Insufficient money For healthy food To see doctor Linked to undocumented status Apathy, indolence, lack of discipline Work Lack of Time Technology (“the new technology interrupts the harmony of our lives”) Cell phones TV Computers Transportation, lack of ALIEF What Is a Community? A geographic area People Communicate with each other/get information Take care of one another What Is Health? Personal To be happy “What I ask God to give me” To be able to work To live in harmony Community Clean Safe What IS Healthy in Your Community? It’s clean Parks, yards, trees, flowers Streets maintained Harmony among ourselves People who look for what the community needs Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 69 What Is NOT Healthy in Your Community? Built Environment Potholes Poor drainage (storm water) Animals Dogs/cats run over and left in streets Mosquitoes (no spraying) Cockroaches Human Throw tires on sides of roads Garbage/trash Speeding Loose dogs What Keeps Your Community from Being Healthy? Human Lack of cooperation among neighbors Gangs Lack of communication/information Don’t go to meetings Leave trash/garbage Environment Rats Standing water Mud (when rains) Structural Homeowners association does not send information Authorities don’t respond to our complaints Lack of safety/security Don’t spray for mosquitoes What Do You Do that is NOT Healthy? Lifestyle (*-most frequently mentioned) Lack of self-discipline/schedule ● Eating schedule* ● Sleep schedule* ● Doctor’s appointments Nutrition ● Poor food choices (too much, unhealthy foods, sweets) ● Fast food ● Don’t drink water 70 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Exercise –don’t Watch a lot of TV/sedentary Poverty What Do You Do that IS Healthy? Lifestyle Healthy eating and cooking Hygiene (personal, home, food) Exercise Personal Mental Health – being friendly, laugh, socialize, listen to music, read Physical Health ● Keep doctor’s appointments What Keeps You from Doing Healthy Things? Apathy, indolence, lack of discipline Lack of time Mental health concerns Stress (and stress eating, drinking sodas, coffee) Isolation Worry (“don’t want to do anything” “just stay in bed or on the sofa”) Sad Physical health concerns Aches and pains in knees, feet, body Insomnia Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 71 BOARD WORK BY COMMUNITY GROUPS Following the participatory group sessions, the groups addressed some of the community problems that were identified. During this facilitated discussion, they offered their solutions. GULFTON 1)Problem – DISCRIMINATION Solutions: (a) Language - Learn English (b) Among ourselves (Latinos) - Take care of each other - Advertising campaign (for those who suffer discrimination) (c)Train staff at clinics and stores better (this is not merely language, but an attitude to take time with and help clients as individuals) “When I’m discriminated against it makes me feel bad and lowers my self-esteem” (d) Better understand staff (e)Respect and communicate better with HPD and Metro (f) Grievances - Learn how to make a complaint - Learn where to lodge a complaint -Use Facebook 2)Problem – COMPLAINTS IGNORED OR SOLUTIONS NOT FOUND Solutions: (a) Among Ourselves -Must work together -Support each other -Communicate among ourselves - Social networks – like Facebook (b) In Community – racist police and metro drivers - Report them so they can change their behavior with the community - Negative PR so supervisors hear and take corrective action 3)Problem – LACK OF SECURITY Solutions: (a) Human - Police patrol for problematic areas -Apartment security services 72 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 -Report problems - Refer addicts to corresponding services (b) Technical -Surveillance cameras -Apartments -Parks (c) Systems -Background checks on renters -Gun control 4)Problem – RUNDOWN APARTMENTS Solutions: (a) Personal - Tenants keep their apartments and areas clean -Be a good example (b) Apartments -Get new managers -Improve maintenance -Eliminate pests -Improve services provided -Remodel the apartment (c) Political -Talk with our representatives -Call the mayor -Call the city -Have marches/demonstrations 5)Problem – IGNORANCE/ LACK OF CIVILITY Solutions: (a) Education -Personal • Read, study more • Early education in the home • Be a good example for children • Talk with people -Institutional • More community centers • Head Start Programs • Vocation programs • Publicity/fliers Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 73 6)Problem – NEED COMMUNITY CENTERS/COMMUNITY SERVICES Solutions: (a) Identify resources - Unified community members -The Mayor (b) Built resources -More schools -Family Parks -Sports -Childcare facilities (c) Programing needs -All ages •Addiction • Help for people of all ages including help filling out forms • Volunteer programs • GED, ESL, computer -YOUTH • Programs for youth • Field trips for children, youth • After-school programs • Camping programs 7)Problem – ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION Solutions: (a) Personal - Hold meetings with addicts in the neighborhood -Educate children - Hand out cards with information on support services -Invite to church (b) Professional -Rehabilitation centers -Professional therapies/counseling -Media advertising 74 - Moderate the sale of alcohol Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 SHARPSTOWN 1)Problem – APARTMENTS POORLY MAINTAINED Solutions: SHINE A LIGHT ON IT a) Communicate verbally, in writing, and as a group with - Manage - Main office(owner) - City - Local TV channels (b) Document with photographs to use with -Mayor -Lawyers - Local Spanish language TV channels 2)Problem – LACK OF COMMUNICATION Solutions: a) Attend community meetings b) Get involved c) Be friendly with everyone d) Information fairs re: employment, education, school supplies, food 3)Problem – LACK OF TIME Solutions: a) ORGANIZE TIME -Get up earlier - Make a list of priorities -Have a schedule -Reminders b) Procrastination (“Decidia” is the Spanish word. Also connotes lack of willpower, laziness) -Motivation - Do things as soon as possible c) FACEBOOK - INTERNET - TV - Schedule time to use it - Know how to use it Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 75 4)Problem – GARBAGE Solutions: a) PERSONAL - Raise awareness to put garbage in its place -We pick up garbage • keep ourselves and homes clean • trash containers -recycle •apartments •homes b) STRUCTURAL /COMMUNAL - Sanctions on those who don’t comply with putting garbage in its place -Apartments • communicate with managers • parking lots clean • pick up dog poop • pick up alcohol containers -Parks • pick up garbage • pick up alcohol containers ALIEF 1)Problem – STAGNANT WATER Solutions: a) Call authorities to which this corresponds (311) b) Take pictures where there is the problem c) Notify the office of the manager or a neighborhood partnership d) Try to keep clean your area, your house, your apartment, etc. 2)Problem – VANDALS Solutions: a) Call the police b) Mutual aid with neighbors c) No weapons (do not arm the community) d) Be alert 76 e) Find out the telephone number of local police – don’t just call 911 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 3)Problem – LACK of COMMUNICATION Solutions: a) Talk more among the community b) We want to be heard/to be listened to -Among ourselves -Among neighborhood associations -Among apartment managers - Among authorities of the county and city c) Meet -With community -With authorities d) Find out who to go to for specific problems 4)Problem – PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS/PAIN THAT KEEP YOU FROM EXERCISING (BEING HEALTHY) Solutions: a) Individual -Visit the doctor - Go to the herbalist - Take medicine as prescribed - Motivation (to do above and other healthy things) b) Communal - Spread the work-about health resources and what you can do to be healthy c) Structural - Community clinics – so cost is not a factor Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 77 INDIVIDUAL WORK IN COMMUNITY GROUPS GULFTON WHEN I AM SICK I GO TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Clinic 1 Clinic 1 Ripley NW, TC Jester 1 Ripley NW, TC Jester 1 Legacy Clinic 1 Legacy Clinic 1 Dr. Ciro Porras 1 Doctor 10 El Franco Lee Harris Health 4 BTGH 4 Clinic Vallbona 1 Harris Health 1 Legacy Clinic 2 Pharmacy 3 Clinica Familiar 1 Clinica del Pueblo 1 Hospital 2 The Good Samaritan Clinic 1 Clinica de Amigos 2 Dr. Albino 1 Doctor 3 No one 3 Clinic Vallbona 1 Hope Clinic 2 Harris Clinic 1 Dr. Sanchez 1 GULFTON WHEN MY CHILD IS SICK I TAKE HIM TO: 78 SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Doctor 4 Doctor 5 Doctor 6 BTGH 3 BTGH 2 BTGH 5 Clinica de Amigos 1 Pediatrician/Clinic 4 Clinic 3 Casa de Amigos 1 Legacy 1 Legacy 2 Clinic Vallbona 1 Memorial Hospital 2 Memorial Hospital 1 Texas Children’s 2 Texas Children’s 1 Clinica Mi Doctor Dr. Sanchez Burgos 1 Hope Clinic Hospital 1 Dr. Portocarrero 1 Dr. Juan Dr. Safaeda 1 Clinic at Bellaire & Dairy Ashford Dr. Gonzalez 1 Dr. Harrison Dr. Sanchez Burgos Pedi Benhurt Dr. Porras 1 Dr. Porras 1 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND IS SICK I TELL HER TO GO TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Doctor 2 Doctor 2 Doctor 1 BTGH 4 BTGH 3 El Franco Lee Clinic 2 Memorial Hermann 1 Memorial Hermann 1 Legacy 4 Hospital 1 El Franco Lee Clinic 1 Clinic 1 Clinic on Bellaire and Hillcroft 1 Vallbona Clinic 3 Legacy 2 Casa de Amigos 1 Legacy 2 Dr. Porras 1 GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND’S CHILD IS SICK I TELL HER TO GO TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF BTGH 2 BTGH 2 Hospital 1 Hospital 1 Hospital 1 Legacy 1 Legacy 2 Memorial Hospital 1 El Franco Lee Clinic 1 Clinica del Pueblo 1 Legacy 2 TCH 1 Doctor 1 Vallbona Clinic 1 Clinic 1 Dr. Ciro Porras 1 TCH 1 Clinica Comunitaria 1 Clinic 2 Clinic at Bellaire & Dairy Ashford 1 Doctor 1 Doctor 2 Pharmacy 1 GULFTON WHEN I HAVE A TOOTACHE I GO TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF The Dentist 8 The Dentist 3 The Dentist 3 Take pain med 1 BTGH 2 Harris Health 1 Clinic 1 Legacy 3 El Franco Lee Clinic 1 Clinic at Bellaire & Hillcroft 1 Take pain med 2 Texas Dental 1 Vallbona Clinic 2 South Texas Dental 1 University Dentist 1 Casa de Amigos 1 Bissonnet Dental 1 Bellaire Dental 1 Home remedies 1 Take them out myself 1 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 79 GULFTON WHEN MY CHILD HAS A TOOTHACHE I TAKE HIM TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Dentist 5 Dentist 2 Dentist 2 They don’t have toothaches 1 Legacy 1 They don’t have toothaches 1 Pull it 1 ABC Dental 1 Castle Dental 1 Vallbona Clinic 1 Apple Dental 1 Wild Smile 1 Bellaire & Hillcroft 1 Bellaire & Chimney Rock dentist I’ve not taken them to a dentist Sharpstown (City of Houston Dental Clinic) GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND HAS A TOOTHACHE I TELL HER TO GO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Dentist 6 Dentist 3 Dentist 2 Legacy 1 Legacy 1 Apple Dental 1 Pharmacy 1 Sharpstown Dentist 1 Bellaire & Hillcroft Clinic 1 South Texas Dental 1 Doctor 1 ECHOS 1 Casa de Amigos 1 ABC Dental 1 Dental Clinic AM 1 Dental Quest 1 Dentist on Chimney Rock 1 GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND’S CHILD HAS A TOOTHACHE I TELL HER TO GO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Doctor 1 BTGH 1 Doctor 1 Dentist 7 Dentist 2 Dentist 2 Legacy 1 Clinic 1 Apple Dental 1 South Texas Dental 1 ABC Dental 2 Bellaire & Hillcroft clinic 1 Bissonnet Dental TCH 1 80 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 GULFTON WHEN I NEED HELP WITH MY FEELINGS I GO TO: SHARPSTOWN ALIEF Psychiatrist 2 Counselor Go to the park to run 5 Therapist 4 Talk with girl friends “Go to the bathroom and cry and ask God” 1 Church 3 School counselor 1 Pray in my room 1 AA 2 Pray Talk with a friend 2 Ask my mother 1 Dr. Ochoa Legacy Talk with my daughter 1 Lakewood Church 1 Clinic/Doctor Kingdom of God Church 1 “Fiesta Supermarket to talk with my friends and drink coffee” Talk with people 1 Talk with parents and ask them where to go I don’t go anywhere GULFTON WHEN MY CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH HIS FEELINGS I TAKE HIM TO: ALIEF SHARPSTOWN Talk with him 2 Talk with him 2 Talk with him 4 Church 3 Prvt. Psychologist 1 To park 4 Therapy 3 Teacher at school 1 Hug & rock them 1 Lakewood Church 1 Dr. Ochoa Legacy 1 Carrillo 1 School 1 Doctor 1 Church 1 GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND NEEDS HELP WITH HER FEELINGS I TELL HER TO GO: ALIEF SHARPSTOWN Church 5 Legacy 3 Park 3 Therapy 3 Doctor 2 Church 1 Carillo 1 Apostle & Prophets Church 1 Talk with a friend 1 Lakewood Church 1 Social worker 1 Pray 1 Kingdom of God Church 1 School counselor 1 AA 1 Clinic 1 Go find help 1 Counselor 1 Psychologist 1 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 81 GULFTON WHEN MY FRIEND’S CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH THEIR FEELINGS I TELL HER TO TAKE HIM TO: ALIEF SHARPSTOWN Talk with their parents 1 School 1 Talk with their parents 1 Church 5 Church 2 Petition God 1 Therapy 3 All talk together 2 All talk together 1 To look for help 1 School Counselor 1 School Counselor 1 Lakewood Church 1 Legacy 3 The park 1 Carillo 1 Private counselor 1 Kingdom of God Church 1 Doctor 2 Sharpstown participants consistently refer to the same or very similar sources for themselves and for their friends. Gulfton and Alief participants’ referrals parallel those for self for physical illness and dental questions. The referrals for mental health questions are similar, but not the same. Recommendations Recommendations and potential actions are very interrelated by both topics and level of response (individual, community, political). For example, noticing the presence of gangs requires an individual to call police to report suspicious behavior, and a political response of more police officers patrolling risky areas. The thematic categories include: 1.EDUCATION Civility: Learn to respectfully share common space with others Suggestion – Using a neutral convener, increase conversations among the community members, like in this project so they can implement their suggestions. Examples include the start-up of media campaigns; the engagement of school children to bring messages to parents; begin to give block or apartment beautification awards; the establishment of alternatives to bars for men. Legal: Learn rights/responsibilities to family, neighbors, organizations and businesses. Suggestion – Bring education about legal concepts to the community schools, churches, apartment complexes, and clinics. General: Learn language, literacy, computer skills, GED. Suggestion – Identify underutilized space, such as in elementary schools. Bring general 82 education to this classroom space. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 2.COMMUNICATION The community: Suggestion – Host more open, guided community meetings on an ongoing basis, such as those held by EHF for this project. Ask the community to help in the design of an information strategy. Work with other neighborhood groups that share similar concerns, such as Positive Interaction Program of the Houston Police Department. Advocacy skills: Encourage the communities to speak clearly and effectively on its own behalf: Suggestion – Identify local Houston advocacy groups to lead workshops. Create community accountability to monitor the advocacy efforts. Identify how to start a “train the trainer” program for advocacy. 3. BUILT ENVIRONMENT Poor sanitation Suggestions: Encourage community members, managers and apartment owners, local businesses, and city officials to improve sanitation (the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, disease by removing waste, trash and garbage, and by cleaning streets.) Housing in poor repair Suggestions: Use advocacy skills to improve general sanitation and safety. Keep the diversity of the neighborhoods by anticipating possible gentrification by improving housing stock. Research Avenue Community Development Corporation’s model in the Houston’s near north side. Public Spaces Suggestions: Use advocacy skills to improve the city and county’s response to streets in poor repair and insufficient or poorly maintained parks. Identify allies and find solutions with other organizations in addition to local governments. 4. OUTREACH TO THOSE WITHOUT A REGULAR SOURCE FOR MEDICAL CARE: Suggestions: Extend Hours for Family Practice, Internal Medicine: Explore use of current offices in Baker-Ripley or extended hours Monday – Friday and Saturday. Explore use of pediatric exam rooms in Legacy Southwest (there are roughly 4-6 rooms currently not used on Sat. and Sun.) Consider using Fellows or 3rd year internal medicine or family practice residents to staff the extra clinic hours, if there is inadequate coverage from Legacy doctors. Ask media to encourage undocumented children and adults to use FQHCs for check-ups and for urgent care. Inform them that fees are based on a sliding scale and if possible, provide an approximate cost. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 83 Offer screenings for diabetes, hypertension in community settings. Only consider this if Legacy has a plan to receive the possible referrals in a timely and affordable way. Many of those needing follow-up may not qualify for insurance either through ACA or Medicare or Medicaid. 5. HEALTH LITERACY Suggestions: A need exists in the community to learn how the current medical system is organized and how to access it. Additionally, individuals need to learn how to talk with the doctor, manage their health record (diagnosis, medications, immunization and tests) and understand prescriptions (how to take the medicine, refills, how to contact the pharmacy). In the Clinics: Explore use of technology in waiting areas of clinics for TV “ads” done by Legacy’s own physicians and nurses about appropriate themes for each clinic. For example, LSW Pedi could do an “ad” demonstrating reading; BR Dental could do an “ad” about stopping sweet drinks, etc. These could be interspersed with regular programming that is streamed over the TV. 2) Film parents and/or staff doing “x” healthy behavior (reading, exercising, new baby care, seasonal topics like flu shots, “hot topics” like Ebola). Consider using local school or university students to film and edit this project. It will be positive for the students and broaden Legacy’s presence in the community. In the Community: Contract community health workers to work with community members in a variety of settings, such as schools, apartments, community centers and churches. Make this a community project that is sponsored by Legacy. This allows the presenter to provide information on a variety of health services, not just Legacy’s services. Additionally, if the community sees that Legacy provides this education but does not “expect anything in return” it will build good will. Chronic Health Conditions: Explore partnering with the City of Houston Health Department to hold classes for patients on managing chronic health conditions using Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University School of Medicine. The City also. The classes should be held in a variety of locations and times, not just regular clinic hours. Language Barriers: Explore the English as a Second Language curriculum to include 84 some key words or phrases for health communication. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 6. HEALTH EDUCATION Suggestions: Do not call it health education. The community knows the “right” answers and is not interested. But if it is part of a fun class – 10 minutes during Zumba or an arts and crafts class – or a class by a catchy name and different presentation it will have a better chance of success. This education will have a multiplying effect as they share it with family and community. Contract with community health workers for this. Groups: This could be on a variety of topics. A common theme in the community groups was the lack of civility, and community members talking together may be a starting point to address it and the isolation many feel. Also, a need exists for parenting classes for all ages. Look at established programs, such as Adults and Children Together (ACT) Against Violence developed by the American Psychological Association, which was reviewed and found to be a promising primary prevention strategy that can be implemented across diverse community settings. Also, look at programs for youth such as Media Savvy Youth: Eat, Think, Be Active (National Institute for Child Health and Human Development), which has also been evaluated and found to have positive effects on participants’ knowledge and behaviors. Target Vulnerable Groups: Work with providers and schools to identify children who have recently immigrated to the USA, some of whom have not seen their biological mother for many years. A second group is the child whose father is deported and their future is unknown. These families are dealing with multiple stressors at once. Addictions: In the community meetings, there was frequent mention of people abusing alcohol and drugs. Explore working through schools, specifically the School Health Advisory Committee for HISD. Consider peer mentors, use of apps or “personal reminders”. Include the new adolescent medicine doctor for this. Group Appointments: Group appointments for patients with similar age (For example, follow a group of newborns from 2 weeks until 12 months) or similar condition (children or teenagers with obesity). This allows for more education and time for parents to share experiences. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 85 Conclusion Houston has never stood still. The original developers of Sharpstown, Alief, and Gulfton did not imagine that in a relatively short time, people from so many other countries would call their neighborhoods home. This study helps to understand the three neighborhoods at this point in time, and most importantly presents the voices of the residents. A study that is based on community participatory research tenets, is an excellent point of departure for the community and supportive organizations such as Legacy Community Health Services and Episcopal Health Foundation to help to create a healthier future. The community members understand that barriers to health are not simply going to see the doctor, but include the identification of gangs, discrimination, the poor built environment, lack of after-school programs. The community knows that much is out of their control, such as wages or immigration status. The community members admit that sometimes they are reluctant to take action, but they also consistently remarked on what they can do. It is now up to us to continue with them in their next steps. 86 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Photovoice in Sharpstown, Alief, and Gulfton PREPARED BY KIMBERLY KAY LOPEZ, DRPH -------------Summer 2015------------- Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 87 Photovoice in Sharpstown, Alief, and Gulfton Prepared by Kimberly Kay Lopez, DrPH ---------------- SUMMER 2015 ----------------- Background Legacy Community Health partnered with the Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) to conduct a community health assessment in the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton (SAG) neighborhoods. As part of the assessment, EHF sponsored a Photovoice project within the community. The purpose of the Photovoice project was to document facilitators and barriers to health identified by residents of SAG and to provide a platform for change within the community. The photographs tell a story and the goal of Photovoice is that the story is captured and shared publically with change agents, policy makers and community advocates to impact change. As part of the assessment in SAG, the ProSalud Promotoras were trained to conduct participatory groups with the community. For Photovoice, the promotoras recruited members from the participatory group and from their outreach activities to take part in Photovoice. Fourteen community members were recruited for Photovoice and eleven community members completed the project. There were ten women and one man, ages ranged from 18-60. All participants spoke primarily Spanish, and had lived in the community from 2-24 years. Photovoice Process For the Photovoice project, participants attended three group sessions. The first session consisted of gathering informed consent to participate, an overview of the community health assessment process, an introduction to Photovoice, photography, cameras, and a review of personal safety and ethics. Participants had the option to use a disposable film camera or to use their cell phone camera. Nine participants used disposable cameras and two participants used their cell phones. Participants had two weeks between the first and second sessions to take photos that answered the questions: a) what is healthy in my community and b) what is unhealthy in my community. After two weeks, participants texted their cell phone photos or returned the cameras for processing. Duplicate prints were made of all the images so that participants would be able to have a copy of all their photos. During the second session, participants received training on data sorting, coding and theme identification. They used this information to code and sort more than 300 88 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 photos. The Photovoice group met a third and final time to review their coded photos and themes and to write captions for their photos. At each of the three sessions, participants were provided refreshments and a $25.00 gift card for their time. Participants reviewed all photos and coded each photo as to the meaning and significance of the photo. Once the photos were coded, the group collated similarly coded pictures, discussed commonalities of the photos, and identified a theme for the photos. After all the photos were coded and themed, the group condensed the categories of photos several times. They were mindful to not collapse into too few categories as maintaining the granular context is important. Results The Photovoice participants identified four key themes: gangs, lack of infrastructure, lack of safety/ security and advantages to well-being. Photos depicting numerous gang sign “tags” or graffiti represented the theme of gangs. Participants discussed the graffiti not only in terms of how it was a blight on the community, but additionally, gang activity was a serious concern. Gang activity was viewed as a stressor and residents were fearful of the criminal activities associated with gangs. Residents were also upset to see youth joining gangs and being injured, incarcerated or murdered. Examples of the types of photos with the theme of gangs is in Exhibit A. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 89 Exhibit A There was much discussion about the lack of infrastructure/maintenance regarding municipal and public services. This was represented by numerous photos of potholes. Residents noted that driving through potholes damages vehicles and contributes to accidents. Photos depicted chronically leaking water mains as this was also a concern for residents. These leaks cause standing water to accumulate creating risks for mosquito-borne illnesses and street ponding. The street ponding also creates mud pits, which the residents deemed unsightly and make sidewalks impassable. Residents also noted many city owned easement areas were not maintained causing overgrowth on sidewalks and trash piles forming blocking sidewalks. The residents talked about it being a pedestrian community and the need for people to be able to safely get around the neighborhood. Exhibit B displays sample photos from the lack of infrastructure/maintenance of public property and services such as leaking water mains, overgrown and blocked sidewalks. Exhibit B The Photovoice participants identified lack of safety and security as a predominant theme. This primarily refers to conditions at apartment complexes. The majority of participants live in apartment complexes. This community is population dense and there are many multi-unit complexes, and most of the complexes are of old construction. The residents depicted issues with trash collection, as dumpster were overflowing as well as trash littered about. They showed many examples of discarded furniture; this was of issue not just because of the aesthetics but because these furniture dumps became places where illegal activity would occur, such as drug use and prostitution. There were also pictures depicting broken security lights and gates not functioning as well as parking lots with many potholes, impacting driving and walking. There were swimming pools and playground structures in disrepair leaving safety hazards for children. Participants also documented homeless people living in the community. They were dismayed that some people in their community had no place to go, and they were upset by the aftermath of the homeless such as human waste at bus stops and other public areas. Exhibit C below shows photos from the lack of safety and security theme, including disgarded furniture, trash dumpsters and broken lighting. 90 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Exhibit C Participants identified advantages to well-being as an important theme because it depicted items in the community that contributed positively to health and well-being. Photos included pictures of community gardens, sidewalks, maintained playgrounds and swimming pools, water vending machines on site at apartment complexes next to soda machines, and of community agencies providing direct services. Below in Exhibit D are photos representing the theme of advantages to well-being. They include a community garden, Baker-Ripley, and a community playground. Exhibit D Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 91 Conclusions Through detailed discussions and photo analysis, the participants identified four themes and collectively the themes provide a framework for addressing health in this community. This is a population dense community; diverse in many areas, and home to people who have recently immigrated and people who have lived in the community a long time. Participants talked about residents being in transition, meaning people move around a lot with in the community. Someone may move in with family when they first arrive in the country and then move to their own apartment and then move again to a nicer apartment or to an another complex offering free rent or other financial incentives. The residents shared how they are proud of their community but see areas where it could be improved. They compared driving through the community and how it compares to other communities that are more maintained. And while the participants identified things that at first glance may seem cosmetic, i.e. trash and graffiti, they are representative of more. Participants talked about some areas within the community that are not safe for children to play outside and that gang and other criminal activities are of issue. These conditions also impact residents’ ability to exercise outside (walks, group sports, etc.) as there is fear of criminal activity. Because many in the community rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation to local resources, schools, medical services, social services and employment, it is a major area of concern if residents do not feel safe walking because of criminal activity or lack of sidewalks or broken sidewalks. Participants talked about how people may be hesitant to report issues to the city, landlords or housing authorities because of fear of retaliation or fear regarding their immigration status. Participants said not knowing how and who to report issues to was a factor. There was also discussion of how when something is run down people are less likely to have ownership or have an interest in making it better. Participants were appreciative of the assets they identified to improve well-being. Having community centers such as Baker-Ripley and the services provided were a key resource. The participants agreed that the community needed more information on their rights in regards to housing and legal standing if someone is undocumented. The residents discussed their feelings about the community were directly related to how good they felt about themselves. They explained that when they felt good about their neighborhood it made them feel good about themselves. As the final part of the Photovoice process a public display is planned for the community. The public display of photos is critical to engage community members, stakeholders, elected officials and other advocates in a dialogue about the issues identified by the community. The participants want to invite the mayor of Houston, members of city council, trustees from the Houston Independent School District, state elected officials, religious leader and area health and human services providers to the public display. They were very interested in having high ranking authorities at the display so that change could occur both from the top level down and from grassroots advocacy. Through conversations from the public display and findings from the needs assessment, stakeholders can move forward with developing action plans for improving community health in the SAG area through structural changes that yield sustainable results for the SAG community. 92 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Conclusion and Recommendations As noted in the quantitative and qualitative sections, there are positive assets present in the community that can be the starting place for recommending next steps. One of the major themes to emerge from the Photovoice study was specifically about the resources in the neighborhoods that contribute positively to health and well-being. One of the greatest resources in the Houston metro area is the racial and multicultural diversity, with over 20% of the people foreign born.47 The Sharpstown, Alief, and Gulfton neighborhoods are a microcosm of this rich tapestry. These three neighborhoods represent places of great racial, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. This is important since place matters to health, a common theme that should pervade all recommendations. Regarding the needs and challenges of SAG, other common themes should remain a part of all of the recommended next steps and these include creating a culture of health and maintaining a focus on prevention. When we study healthy communities through a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) lens, then the recommended solutions should also project a SDOH approach. We need to address root causes of poor health – for individuals and communities. We know that health is more than the absence of disease, and includes the following factors: Social and Economic Factors Health Behavior Factors Clinical Care Physical Environment Genes and Biology The recommendations from this study will attend to the first four of the five determinants. Unlike this study, we have seen a typical healthcare focus with other recent community health assessments. While the overall intent for this study is to help guide next steps in healthcare service delivery, we acknowledge the need to take a wider purview. Our recommendations are broader than a healthcare focus since research tells us that there are many direct and indirect causes of health linked to the social, economic and built environments. The community members understand this. Our goal aligns with the Healthy People 2020 vision for the Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods to be a thriving community in which all people live long, healthy lives. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 93 The following table includes an overview of the study results that are grouped by the type of evidence gained from the mixed methods research. The results in this table are not rank-ordered and there is not always alignment among the three study components. Overview of Study Results by Component 94 Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Community Voice Qualitative Research Photovoice 1. Improve health status. 1. Provide health literacy in the community. 1. 2. Improve access to healthcare. 2. Do outreach to those without a regular source for medical care. 2. Acknowledge that the residents are appreciative of community resources like Baker Ripley. 3. 3. Improve mental health, stress and dental health. 3. Address the residents fear of retaliation with apartment landlords or threatened immigration status. 4. Attend to children with unhealthy weight. 4. Improve children’s health and eating habits. 4. Improve swimming pools, parks and playgrounds 5. Screen, prevent and manage chronic disease. 5. Provide primary care and preventative screening. 5. Provide primary care and preventative screening. 6. Manage and prevent cancer. 6. Provide health education in fun and entertaining ways. 6. Acknowledge that residents like community gardens and community agencies that provide services. 7. Attend to high crime rates, especially robberies and murders. 7. Improve communication within the community and neighborhood groups and regarding advocacy for their community. 7. Address that residents are fearful of gangs and associated crime. 8. Improve neighborhood, environment and housing. 8. 8. Attend to gang graffiti, potholes, broken water mains, sidewalks and trash. 9. 9a. Improve education. 9b. Enhance education regarding civility, legal rights and responsibilities and in general, such as language, literacy and computer skills. 9. Improve safety and security, esp. trash dumpsters, broken lights and discarded furniture. 10. Create a stakeholder group to synthesize gathered information, in addition to group feedback, to move forward on promising ideas. 10. Provide continued opportunities for residents to participate in future ways to make SAG healthier. Provide health insurance to adults; dental insurance for adults and children. Improve education indicators, esp. graduation from high school rates. Improve the built environment, especially regarding poor sanitation, housing repair and public spaces such as parks. Improve barriers to good health; Residents want to walk and exercise, but are fearful of crime. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Prioritized Recommendations For the quantitative and the qualitative research findings, all of these recommendations are linked with the following priorities: Priority 1 – Improve health status, preventative screening and access to healthcare Proposed Action: Focus strategies around health education, particularly regarding adult cancer screening, diabetes, hypertension and children’s nutrition; and improving access to healthcare services, including mental health and dental. Priority 2 – Improve the built environment, especially regarding safety, security, sidewalks and poor sanitation Proposed Action: Use advocacy skills to help improve general sanitation and safety. Keep the diversity of the neighborhoods by anticipating possible gentrification by improving housing stock. Research the Avenue Community Development Corporation’s model in the Houston’s near north side. Priority 3 - Enhance the knowledge and awareness of health and community resources to strengthen the bond between the residents and their communities Proposed Action: Focus on developing more community centers and services, such as Baker-Ripley. Include the residents in the planning and design of more resources since they are aware that the perception about the community is directly related to how good they felt about themselves. They explained that when they felt good about their neighborhood it made them feel good about themselves. Looking Forward Looking forward we should continue to engage the affected community members, interested stakeholders, and by creating public private partnerships between business and government. This study helps to understand the three neighborhoods at this point in time, and most importantly presents the voices of the residents. The many people who participated in this study are very passionate about being a part of the decision making process in order to make Sharpstown, Alief and Gulfton neighborhoods a healthier place for all. A study that is based on community participatory research tenets is an excellent point of departure for the community and supportive organizations such as Legacy Community Health Services and Episcopal Health Foundation to help to create a healthier future. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 95 Appendices APPENDIX 1 Key Informant Interview Sector Matrix Community Interviews By Sectors 96 Political Economic Health Police Communication Recreational Other Community Groups Individuals Education Religious Social Services Voluntary/Grassroots Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 APPENDIX 2 Guide to Key Informant Interviews Interviews with Key Informants in the community are semi-structured. Questions serve to guide a conversation and participants are encouraged to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings on any of the topics. The following questions guide the interview: 1. If a family you knew wanted to move into this neighborhood what would you tell them about this neighborhood? 2. What would you say are the strongest and best qualities of this community? What are some of the good things about living in this community for you? (You may want to consider social, spiritual, political, economic, or other aspects of life here.) 3. Think about the problems you see in the community. If you had the power to solve all the problems in your community in a short time what problems would you address? What would you say are the most serious needs in this community? 4. What would you say stands in the way of dealing with these needs and issues? 5. When you think about the people who live and work in this neighborhood, what do you think are the biggest health concerns for them? 6. When there is a health problem, either mental or physical, where do people in the neighborhood get help? (Think about different age groups, and different health needs such as preventative care, medical, dental, mental health, etc.) 7. If individuals, groups or agencies could work together to improve the health and well-being of this community, who do you think should participate in that effort? 8. If you were advising a group interested in improving the health and well-being of this community, where would you recommend that they begin their work in further developing the potential of this neighborhood? Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 97 APPENDIX 3 Episcopal Health Foundation PARTICIPATORY GROUPS / FACILITATOR GUIDELINES *** You have 4 hours, plan a break when time is right for group (or signal from Supervisor). A meal is planned but not scheduled, so it will need to be added depending on time of day. *** I. WELCOME ***30 minutes*** Greet participants as they arrive at the table Once seated ask them to fill out the demographic forms and read the consent Read Consent Form (attached) Ask if anyone has any questions! Ask each person to sign each consent form, collect both Introductions (including staff) can include mini ice-breaker Review Ground Rules. II. ICEBREAKER EXERCISE Facilitator begins Icebreaker Exercise 1. Using the map in front of you of your community. 2. Place a star on the map where you live. 3. Now circle all the “important places” in your community. 4. Is everyone done, would anyone like to add anything else? Remember you can always go back later and add things. 5. Go around the room and share the most “important place” III. HEALTH ASSET DIAGRAM ***30 minutes*** ***15 minutes*** 1. Now turn the map over, and write down for us all the places that you would go for help if you were sick, had a toothache or had emotional problems. 2. Then think about where you would take your child if they need this kind of help. 3. Then think about where would you send a friend if they need this kind of help. 4. Finally, share with us where you would send a friend if their child need this kind of help. IV. “WHAT IS A COMMUNITY?” ***5 minutes*** Yellow Balloon extra probes – V. “WHAT IS HEALTH?” ***5 minutes*** Green Balloon 98 extra probes – Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 VI. “WHAT IS UNHEALTHY IN THIS COMMUNITY?” ***10 minutes*** Blue Balloon extra probesVII. “WHAT IS HEALTHY IN THIS COMMUNITY?” ***10 minutes*** Pink Balloon extra probesVIII. “WHAT KEEPS THIS COMMUNITY FROM BEING HEALTHY?” ***10 minutes*** Orange Balloon extra probesIX. “WHAT DO YOU DO THAT IS UNHEALTHY?” ***10 minutes*** Red Balloon extra probesX. “WHAT DO YOU DO THAT IS HEALTHY?” ***10 minutes*** Purple Balloon extra probesXI. “WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM DOING THINGS THAT ARE HEALTHY?” Maroon Balloon ***10 minutes*** extra probesXII. BOARD WORK Place the list of what is unhealthy in the community, what keeps this community from being healthy, and what keeps you from doing things that are healthy. With stickers place prioritization to select top 3 issues. With those issues selected brain-storm on what could be done to remedy the issues or barriers. ***30 minutes*** XIII. CONCLUSION Summarize what has been shared. Ask if there are any further thoughts or comments. Remind everyone that everything is confidential. Thank everyone, distribute gift cards, and collect receipts for same. Make sure everyone has a copy of their signed Consent Form. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 ***5 minutes*** 99 Appendix 4 Community Assets Assets by Zip Code48 77036 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES Texas Office of the Attorney General: Child Support Division 713-787-7140 6161 Savoy Drive #320, Houston 77036 http://www.oag.state.tx.us For assistance in collection of child support, contact Regional Field Offices, based on zip code. Help in locating absent parent using public records such as social security, driver license, unemployment, etc. Voluntary and court ordered paternity established. Paternity tests available. Texas Juvenile Justice Dept. 10165 Harwin Suite 180, Houston 77036 713-942-4200 Texas Department of Human Services – SNAP Offices Westside 9450 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036 713-266-5535 713-268-1448 Monday-Friday, 7:30AM-5:00PM PRIVATE/NON-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICES Community Alliance United in Service (CAUS) Christian Community Service Center: 3434 Branard www.ccschouston.org 713-961-3993 Mon-Fri. 10-2pm Sat. 9-12:00pm. Food and clothing and hygiene. Possible financial assistance with interview. 100 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Limited assistance with medication. Back to school assistance (May registration) 713-961-3993 x215 Serves 77002-77007, 77011, 77012, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77023-77027, 77030, 77046, 77056, 77057, 77010, 77081, 77096, 77098, 77401. Bring picture ID with current address or anything mailed to current address. Food Pantry 6856 Bellaire, serves 77031, 77036, 77072, 77074, Thurs & Fri, 10a-1p, Sat 9-12. Asset Building Network, Inc. 9888 Bissonnet, Suite 242 Houston, TX 77036 Location: Southwest Phone: (713) 776-3925 Hotline: Fax: (713) 271-7215 www.assetbuildingnetwork.org Program Type: Assistance Program Days of Operation: Monday – Friday General Services: Clothing, Counseling, Food, Information and Referral, Case Management Path to Independence 10101 Forum Park Drive Houston State: TX Zip Code: 77036 Location: Southwest Phone: (713) 688-7400 Hotline: Fax: (713) 688-7403 www.pticommunities.com Program Type: Transitional Housing Days of Operation: Monday - Sunday Intake Hours: 9a - 6p ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Men Only, Veterans Barriers Served: Disabled - Mental, Disabled - Physical, Elderly (65+), Ex-Offenders, HIV/AIDS, Substance Abusers Languages: English General Services: Clothing, Counseling, Detox, Food, Job Placement, Transportation Houston Center for Independent Living Voice/TTY 713-974-4621 6201 Bonhomme Suite 150S, Houston 77036 Coalition for Barrier-Free Living. Provides outreach services to assist individuals with disabilities in accessing services. Peer support. Serves 13 counties. http://www.hcil.cc/ Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 101 Residential Care Texas Mentor http://thementornetwork.com 713-432-0827 6161 Savoy Dr, Suite 1020, Houston 77036 Child placing agency for males and females 0-21. Contracts with CPS, TYC. CITY RESOURCES Assisted Living Locators 8321 Sand Point Drive. Houston, TX 77036 EDUCATION/VOCATIONAL TRAINING: YES Prep Public Schools http://www.yesprep.org 713-967-9001 6201 Bonhomme, Ste. 168 N., Houston 77036 Free, open-enrollment school system serving low-income minority students in 6th -12th grade. 100% of graduating seniors are accepted by a 4-year college or university Job Training Institute/Southwest Campus 10101 Harwin Dr, Ste 100 Houston, TX 77036 Location: Southwest Phone: (713) 808-9922 Hotline: Fax: (713) 583-5122 www.jobtraininginstitute.org Program Type: Assistance Program Days of Operation: Monday – Friday General Services: Vocational School with Job Placement, 6-8 week state-certified courses Vocational Training Demonstration Learning Centers: Sharpstown Learning Center 7684 DeMoss, Houston 77036 713-777-7323 Excel’s Health Institute & Home Care 9898 Bissonnet, Ste 380 Houston, TX 77036 713-773-1701 102 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Houston Training & Education Center 7547 Harwin Ste 35 Houston, TX 77036 713-783-2221, Sanford Brown Institute-Houston 10500 Forum Place Drive, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77036 713-779-1110, www.sbhouston.com Career Gear Houston 750 Sharpstown Center Houston, TX 77036 Telephone: 713-778-9959 Contact: Janay Fishback http://www.careergearhouston.org Eligibility: Must be a male, unemployed, low income, and at least 18 years old. Description: Career Gear Houston provides career readiness training, interview readiness, interview attire, soft skills networking, employment-linking services. HEALTH Houston City Health Centers/Houston Department of Health and Human Services Sharpstown 6201 Bonhomme Houston, TX 77036 713-780-5600 Hope Clinic, Asian American Health Coalition 9800 Town Park, Suite 266 Houston, TX 77036 713-773-0803 St. Hope Foundation, Inc. – Medical Transportation Services 6200 Savoy Drive, Suite 540 Houston, TX 77036 Area Served: Greater Houston Hours/Days: Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM-5:00PM, Friday, 8:00AM-12:00PM Contact: Tracy Minter, Transportation Coordinator Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 103 Phone: 713-778-1300 Fax: 713-778-0827 http://offeringhope.org Local Bus Routes: 81, 132, 163 Ages/Grades Served: All ages Eligibility: Serves HIV+ persons. • Requires proof of income, proof of residence, and proof of HIV+ status. Costs: Free Onsite at Schools: No Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese Direct Services: Provides transportation in vehicles and vans to persons living with HIV/AIDS. COUNSELING ARENA Counseling and Emotional Trauma Center 713-271-8430 5800 Ranchester, Suite #142, Houston 77036 Bilingual counseling for victims and perpetrators of physical and sexual abuse. Parenting Program. Children’s Trauma groups. Women’s Survivor Groups. Treatment program for perpetrators. Clients are CPS, JPD or private pay. Medicaid & Medicare accepted. 10am-6pm. Asian American Family Services http://www.aafstexas.org 713-600-9400 Bellaire, Suite 228, Houston 77036 Serves the mental health needs of the Asian-American community. Provides bilingual and bicultural counseling, screening, referral and follow-up for social services, training, education, and advocacy; case management and interpreting/translation upon request. Project YEA (Youth Education Advancement) in Alief ISD. Court ordered parenting classes, substance abuse prevention program. Newcomer outreach, education & early intervention program for Asian American seniors. Psychological/psychiatric evaluations. Training for mental health professionals Family Enrichment Clinic http://www.familyenrichmentclinic.com 713-780-2833 7100 Regency Square, Suite 136 Houston, TX 77036 Counseling and therapy services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Group therapy, anger management, and parenting classes. Free pre-marital counseling workshop. Services provided in Cambodian, Chinese, English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Sign Language, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Punjabi, Hindi, Cantonese, Uro. Insurance, Medicaid accepted. 104 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Houlue Counseling & Consulting Services 281-433-7790 6201 Bonhomme, Ste. 464 Houston, 77036 832-226-0121 Domestic violence, mental health and substance abuse counseling. Drug and alcohol screening. Services provided in Harris and Fort Bend counties for all ages. Specializing in school issues, children with disabilities, parenting skills, anger management, depression, adoption, grief, mood, anxiety and trauma related disorders. Medicaid and private pay accepted. Lee’s Counseling Services 281-772-8407 6630 Harwin, Suite 215G Houston 77036 Individual, group, and family counseling. Non-profit agency. Sliding scale fee Tzu Chi Foundation www.tzuchi.org Main: 713-981-8966 6200 Corporate Drive, Houston 77036 MHMRA liaison: 713-970-8385 Provides monthly support group for families with special needs children. Serves all Harris County. Revelation Healthcare Services 6610 Harwin, Suite 266 Houston, TX 77036 713-266-7979 Services: Adult and adolescent outpatient substance abuse treatment Sacred Heart Treatment Center 6630 Harwin, Suite 180 Houston, TX 77036 281-953-7488 Services: Adult and adolescent outpatient substance abuse treatment Houston Northwest Rehab 2611 FM 1960 West, Bldg. H, Ste. 120 Houston 77068 281-537-2800 9888 Bissonnet, Suite 470 Houston 77036 713-773-4900 Intensive outpatient program offers educational, individual, and group counseling services for a minimum of six weeks. Longer term supportive outpatient is available. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 105 Drug testing and evaluation. Classes for adolescents/adults. Weekend classes available. Service costs vary from $20 to $40. Self pay and private insurance accepted Together in Giving Everlasting Recovery 9894 Bissonnet, Suite 575 Houston, TX 77036 713-773-0299 Services: Adult outpatient substance abuse treatment The Turning Point, Inc. 10175 Harwin, Ste 101, Houston, TX 77036 713-773-3280 Services: Adult and adolescent outpatient substance abuse treatment RECREATION Chinese Community Center http://www.ccchouston.org 713-271-6100 9800 Town Park Drive Houston, TX 77036 After-school tutorial, individual, and group counseling, Child Development Program, field trips/recreation, summer camp, ages 6-18. Focus is to deter gang activity/delinquency. Monthly parenting workshop. Focus on cultural awareness and adjusting to new environment. Adult ESL, job training, and senior program. Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club 5757 Ranchester, Ste. 1900 Houston, TX 77036 Serves Asian community. 713-988-5201 106 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 77074 HEALTH Harris Health Community Health Center People’s Health Center 6630 DeMoss Houston, TX 77074 713-272-2600 Houston City Health Centers/Houston Department of Health and Human Services Southwest 6441 High Star Houston, TX 77074 713-779-6400 Legacy Community Health Services 1415 California Houston, TX 77006 713-830-3000 http://www.legacycommunityhealth.org 713-830-3072 5602 Lyons Ave., Houston, TX 77020 713-671-3041 6441 High Star Houston, TX 77074 713-779-6400 6500-B Rookin Houston, TX 77074 713-351-7350 Eye care only at California location; dental only at Rookin location. Pregnancy/Pregnancy Termination Concerned Women’s Center http://aaacwc.com 713-988-2200 7324 SW Fwy, #978 Houston, TX 77074 Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm Free pregnancy test, STD testing, morning after pill $175, well woman plan - pap smear, breast exam, and 11 month prescription for birth control pills for $175. Conduct pregnancy termination. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 107 Harris County Hospital District Gold Card - Southwest 6654 Hornwood Houston, TX 77074 Location: Southwest 713-995-3500 Program Type: Assistance Program Monday - Friday ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: ALL Barriers Served: ALL Languages: English General Services: Gold Card CHRISTUS Southwest Health Center 6441 High Star, Houston, TX 77074 713-779-6400 Neighborhood Health Center Southwest, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System 8150-C Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074 713-981-1605 COUNSELING Kinghaven Group Counseling Services http://www.kinghavencounseling.com 713-457-4372 9100 Southwest Fwy., #100 Houston, TX 77074 Counseling services for ages 2--adult. Focus on sexual abuse, attachment disorder, conduct & behavior problems. Individual and family counseling, psychological assessments, and play therapy. Home-based or office. Medicaid, private insurance and sliding scale. Thomas, Michael J. 713-623-2984 4615 Southwest Freeway Suite 430 Houston, TX 77074 Parenting skills, divorce, family conflicts, depression, sexual abuse, chemical abuse, school problems, runaway, and conflict resolution. Accepts Medicaid, insurance, and sliding scale. Trauma therapy. 108 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Hotline Jason Foundation: Community Assistance Resource 800-784-2433 /800-SUICIDE West Oaks: 6500 Hornwood, Houston 77074 A nonprofit organization dedicated to the awareness, education and prevention of youth suicide. All services are free in West Oaks, Kingwood Pines, Cypress Creek Hospitals service area. Carol F. Zuccone Ed.D. & Associates/Irlen Center 713-771-3108 8303 Southwest Frwy, Suite 216, Houston, TX 77074 http://www.zuccone-irlen.com Reading problems due to Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS), a perceptual problem, may be corrected by the use of precision tinted filters worn as glasses or colored overlays to eliminate light sensitivity and perception difficulties. Psychological testing. Works with children with learning disabilities. Bilingual. Substance Abuse Toxicology Associates Inc. http://www.toxicologyassociates.com Administration: 713-541-3218 Admissions: 6910 Bellaire, Suite 13 77074 713-271-0067 Provides services for opiate addicted patients in Texas. Methadone maintenance treatment, counseling, and drug screens. Supporting Hands Veteran Services 9100 Southwest Freeway, Suite 134 Houston, Texas 77074 832-295-9693, fax 832-295-9701 www.supportingh.org Eligibility: Call for information Services: Counseling and family services to veterans and their families. Psychiatric diagnoses, developmental or intellectual disabilities, substance abuse and social/environmental factors such as disadvantaged, socio-economic status, exposure to family violence, post-combat trauma, or juvenile justice system involvement. Versatile Healthcare Institute 8300 Bissonnet, Suite 626, Houston, TX 77074 713-771-5178 Services: Adult and adolescent outpatient substance abuse treatment Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 109 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES MHMRA of Harris County - Shelter Plus Care 7011 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074 Location: Southwest Phone: (713) 970-7070 Hotline: Fax: (713) 970-3839 Program Type: Permanent Supportive Housing Days of Operation: Monday - Friday Intake Hours: 8a - 5p ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Couples, Singles Males and households with Children, Single Females and households with Children Barriers Served: Disabled-Mental Languages: English Spanish Small Business Administration (SBA) Veterans Representative Houston District Office 8701 S. Gessner Drive, Suite 1200 Houston, Texas 77074 Phone: 713-773-6542 PRIVATE/NON-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICES Gracewood 7511 Wanda Lane Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (713) 988-9757 Hotline: Fax: (713) 988-3657 www.gracewood.org Program Type: Transitional Housing Days of Operation: Monday - Friday Intake Hours: 7:30a - 4:30p ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Females and households with Children Barriers Served: Languages: English Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Central Services 713-667-9400 4500 Bissonnet Baker-Ripley Center 6500 Rookin Houston, TX 77074 713-592-0288 110 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Healthy Family Initiatives http://www.hfihouston.org 713-270-8849 7500 Beechnut, #366 Houston, TX 77074 Assists parents to improve care of their newborns and access services. Voluntary visitation to teach childcare, assist in obtaining medical care. Advocacy and public development EDUCATION Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, TX 77074, 281-649-3212, www.hbu.edu Academy of Health Care Professions 8313 S.W. Freeway Houston, TX 77074 713-471-2427 www.ahcp.edu HISD – Refugee Programs Las Americas/Jane Long Middle School, Temporary Building, Room 608 6501 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, TX 77074-6428 Hours/Days: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM Contacts: Jennifer Alexander, Amelia De Landa, Andrea Antwi, or Shirin Herman Phone: 713-556-6973 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; or [email protected] Website: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32057 Direct Services: Provides support to newly arrived refugee students during their resettlement process in the United States; also provides training for teachers and parents and coordinates all appropriate area service providers. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 111 VOLUNTARY Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star http://www.bbbstx.org 713-271-5683 6437 High Star Houston, TX 77074 Mentoring one on one for children ages 6 – 15. Both community and school-based programs. 77072 PRIVATE/NON-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICES House of Amos http://www.houseofamos.org 281-495-9061 8030 Boone Road Houston, TX 77072 Emergency food pantry. Mon-Thurs 9-12pm & Sat 10-12pm. Saturday sack lunches. Computer classes, immunizations, ESL classes for adults. M-Th 9a-12p & 6p-9p. Monthly Food Fair 2nd Sat. of month 10am-12pm for fresh produce. VN TeamWork 11210 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 118, Houston, TX 77072 Area Served: Greater Houston Hours/Days: Monday-Friday, 10:00AM-6:00PM. • Accepts walk-ins. Contact: Michael Cao-My Nguyen, Executive Director Phone: 281-495-8936 Fax: 281-495-8938 Email: [email protected] http://www.vnteamwork.org/english-as-second-language Local Bus Routes: 2 Ages/Grades Served: Adults ages 18+ Eligibility: Primarily serves low-income to moderate-income persons including recent immigrants, refugees, relocated disaster evacuees, and dislocated workers. Costs: Free Onsite at Schools: No Languages: English, Vietnamese Direct Services: Provides adult ESL classes. • Offers computer skills, citizenship preparation, and help with immigration, legalization, and naturalization. 112 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Boat People SOS (BPSOS) 11360 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 910, Houston, TX 77072 Area Served: Harris County Hours/Days: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM Contact: Trish Nguyen Phone: 281-530-6888 Fax: 281-530-6838 Email: [email protected] http://www.bpsos.org/mainsite/en/where-we-work/us-branches/houston.html Local Bus Routes: 2 Ages/Grades Served: Adults ages 18+ Eligibility: Some services require proof of income, proof of identity, and proof of residence. Costs: Costs vary; some language services may charge a fee. Onsite at Schools: No Languages: English, Khmer, Spanish, Vietnamese Direct Services: Provides ESL classes and citizenship and naturalization services. Offers case management, health education, housing assistance and referrals, legal assistance, direct emergency assistance, and help for victims of domestic violence. EDUCATION Alief ISD 12302 High Star Houston, TX 77072 Location: Alief Phone: (281) 498-8110 Hotline: Fax: (281) 575-1923 www.alief.isd.tenet.edu Program Type: Assistance Program Days of Operation: Monday - Friday Intake Hours: 7a - 4p ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Males and households with Children, Single Females and households with Children, Households with Children, Youth (Males and Females), Children Barriers Served: Educational needs of Children Languages: English Spanish Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 113 77081 HEALTH Wild Smiles Dental Centers www.smallsmiles.com 713-668-5437 5720-D Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire 77081 Contact: Vicky Cardiel (Children’s Advocate, Marketing) Dental care for children ages 6 months-21 yrs. and adults. Free dental screenings, exchange toothbrush service, free oral hygiene education. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, CHSCN, Aetna, Cigna, and works with parents of uninsured children to provide low fees. Planned Parenthood – Gulf Coast http://www.ppgulfcoast.org Business office: 713-522-6363 SW: 5800 Bellaire Blvd, Bldg. 1B, Houston, TX 77081 713-541-5372 Physical exams, information and birth control services, prenatal services, pregnancy testing, and counseling. STD screening and treatment, well woman exam. Tubal ligation, vasectomy, abortions. Sliding scale fee. Varied hours accommodate those who work. Call for appointment. Medicaid clients must bring a picture ID. HIV counseling and testing. Women’s advance care (colposcopy). Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates–Project Medical Home www.texaschildrenspediatrics.org Gulfton 5900 Chimney Rock, Suite Y Houston, TX 77081 713-661-2951 Project Medical Home provides low-cost, comprehensive primary health care for children from birth to 18 years of age. Fees are based on income and family size. Medicaid, CHIP & insurance are also accepted. Please call for more information. RECREATION Day Camps - City of Houston Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office – Campo del Sol 832-668-4516 6200 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081 (Burnett Bayland Park) 8-week summer day camp, ages 10-17 who reside in 77081 zip code. Applications available in April. 114 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES Harris County Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) 713-295-2517 6300 Chimney Rock, Houston 77081 Community-based approach to provide better coordination of services for children and youth who have multi-agency needs and require interagency coordination. Referrals by agencies, families, & schools. PRIVATE/NON-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICES Neighborhood Centers, Inc. http://neighborhood-centers.org The BRIDGE/El Puente 6114 Renwick Houston, TX 77081 713-592-0288 (Nancy and Rich) Kinder Emergency Shelter 713-295-2700 6300 Chimney Rock Road Houston, TX 77081 The Kinder Emergency Shelter provides youth 12-17 years old who are in crisis with a safe, short-term, home-like environment until they can be returned home or to a more permanent placement. Youth placed in the Shelter must have a sponsoring caseworker from DFPS, CYS, TRIAD, JPD, SOH, AFCI or YMCA. Alliance for Multicultural Community Services 713-776-4700 6440 Hillcroft, #411 Houston, TX 77081 http://www.allianceontheweb.org Refugee resettlement, job placement & training, health care access, interpreter program, ESL classes, savings account program, after-school program, community center, driver’s education. Micro-loan enterprise services. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 115 COUNSELING TRIAD Prevention Program 713-295-2500 6300 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081 Debra Colby, Director Combined staff of Juvenile Probation, Harris County Protective Services, and MHMRA offers early intervention services to runaways, truants, and Class C Misdemeanor offenders apprehended by law enforcement or from “walk-ins” requesting help with parent/child conflict issues. Counseling, information and referral, parenting program available. Also located in the Justice of the Peace Court and Municipal Courts. Systems of Hope http://www.systemsofhope.org 713-295-2500 6300 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081 Pam Schaffer, LMSW-AP, Project Director Community collaborative system of care development project. Works with children with serious emotional disturbance and their families using the wraparound process and developing child and family teams. Funded the HOGG Foundation for Mental Health. Works to incorporate family involvement and peer support into agencies through grant from the Harris County Hospital District Foundation. New Hope Counseling Center, Inc. 6420 Hillcroft, Suite 314 Houston, TX 77081 Location: Southwest Phone: (713) 776-8006 Hotline: Fax: (713) 776-8030 Program Type: Assistance Program Days of Operation: Monday - Friday Intake Hours: 8a - 5p ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Females and households with Children, Households with Children, Youth (Males and Females, Married Couples, Veterans, Common Law Couples Barriers Served: Disabled - Mental, Disabled - Physical, Domestic Violence, Elderly (65+), Ex-Offenders, HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/Parenting Teens, Substance Abusers, Refugees Languages: English 116 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 The Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire 713-600-9500 5314 Dashwood Dr. (Mapleridge Outpatient Services) Houston, TX 77081 Free assessment, 24 hours, 7 days a week EDUCATION/VOCATIONAL TRAINING Proprietor School Interactive College of Technology - Houston Campus Hillcroft Avenue, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77081 713-771-5336 VOLUNTARY Juvenile Court Volunteers (Crossroads) www.crossroads-volunteers.org 713-295-2789 6300 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081 Volunteer mentors for youth involved in Juvenile Probation system. 77099 HEALTH Community Health Centers: Administration 2525 Holly Hall #265 713-566-6856 El Franco Lee 8901 Boone Rd Houston, TX 77099 281-454-0500 Ibn Sina Foundation, Community Medical Center 11246 South Wilcrest, Suite 190B Houston, TX 77099 832-328-1680 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 117 COUNSELING Substance Abuse 19. Lifeway International & Three Oaks Academy http://www.lifewayinternational.org 713-270-6753 9920 West Sam Houston Pkwy South, #410 Houston, TX 77099 Alternative peer group and recovery system in the field of chemical dependency. Serves ages 13-24 and their families throughout the greater Houston area with 10 locations. Fully accredited alternative high school and college bound campus. Highlights the spiritual side of recovery. Adult program ages 22+. PRIVATE/NON-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICES Southwest Area Ministry 12621 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77099 Location: Southwest 281-530-8633 Hotline: Fax: 281-530-5839 Program Type: Assistance Program Days of Operation: Monday - Friday Intake Hours: ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Males and households with Children, Single Females and households with Children, Households with Children Barriers Served: Languages: English Merciful Outreach Services 12310 Bexely Street Houston, TX 77099 Phone: (281) 988-6710 Hotline: Fax: (281) 988-6710 Program Type: Transitional Housing Days of Operation: Monday - Sunday Intake Hours: 24 Hours ADA Compliant: Yes Populations Served: Single Males Only, Veterans Barriers Served: Disabled - Mental, Disabled - Physical, Domestic Violence, Elderly (65+), Ex-Offenders, Substance Abusers Languages: English 118 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 EDUCATION Proprietor School Cardiotech Ultrasound School 12315 Bissonnet, Ste E Houston, TX 77099 281-495-0078 www.cardiotech.org Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) – Workforce Solutions Southwest 12710 Bissonnet Street,Houston, TX 77099 Direct Services: Provides access to industry and occupation profiles and other resources to help with career planning. Helps persons to create a budget, determine eligibility for aid, and apply for financial aid for education and training. May offer scholarships to clients to pursue high-skill, high-growth jobs. Offers help with work-related expenses such as childcare, transportation, work clothing, work tools, and/or licenses. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 119 Sharpstown CLINICS LOCATED IN THE SHARPSTOWN AREA Zip Codes 77036 and 77074 Sharpstown Health Center 6201 Bonhomme, Suite 300 South Houston, TX 77036 Dental Clinic, HIV Testing, STD Testing, STD Treatment, GYN/Women - WIC HOPE Clinic 7001 Corporate Drive Suite 120 Houston, TX 77036 Breast Imaging - Diagnostic, Community Outreach, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Education, General Operating Hours, GYN/Women - Gynecology (including pap smears),HIV Testing, Immunization, Lab, Nutrition Counseling, Patient Education, Preventive Care, Primary Care, STD Testing, STD Treatment, Sutures, Clinical Breast Exam, Community-Based Screenings, Community Education, Imaging - CT Scan, Radiation - External, Mammogram - Screening, Biopsy - Stereotactic-guided, Support Groups, Imaging - Ultrasound, Prenatal Care, GYN/Women - Ultrasound (OB/GYN),GYN/Women - Family Planning, Optometry, Mental Health Counseling/Therapy, ACA Specialist Memorial Hermann Centers for Schools - Jane Long 6501 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, TX 77074 Dental Clinic, GYN/Women - Family Planning, General Operating Hours, GYN/Women - Gynecology (including pap smears),HIV Testing, Immunization, Lab, Mental Health Counseling/Therapy, Nutrition Counseling, Pharmacy, Preventive Care, Primary Care, STD Testing, STD Treatment, Urgent Care 120 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 People’s Health Center 6630 Demoss Houston, TX 77074 Dental Clinic, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Education, GYN/Women - Family Planning, General Operating Hours, GYN/Women - Gynecology (including pap smears),HIV Testing, Immunization, Lab, Mental Health Counseling/Therapy, Nutrition Counseling, Prenatal Care, Patient Education, Pharmacy, Podiatry, Primary Care, STD Testing, STD Treatment ,X-Ray, Clinical Breast Exam, Mammogram - Screening, Social Work Legacy Community Health Services- Southwest Clinic 6441 High Star Houston, TX 77074 Diabetes Education, General Operating Hours, Immunization, Lab, Prenatal Care, Patient Education, Preventive Care, GYN/Women - Ultrasound (OB/GYN), Urgent Care, Primary Care, Mammogram Screening, Clinical Breast Exam, Nutrition Counseling, Immunization - HPV,ACA Specialist Neighborhood Health Center - Southwest 7600 Beechnut, Suite A Houston, TX 77074 Diabetes Care, GYN/Women - Family Planning, General Operating Hours, GYN/Women Gynecology (including pap smears), Immunization, Lab, Preventive Care, Primary Care, STD Testing, STD Treatment Legacy Community Health Services- Baker Ripley 6500 Rookin, Building B, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77074 Dental Clinic, GYN/Women - Family Planning, General Operating Hours, Mental Health Counseling/Therapy, Primary Care, Clinical Breast Exam, Immunization, Immunization - HPV,STD Testing, HIV Testing, ACA Specialist Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 121 Alief CLINICS LOCATED IN THE ALIEF AREA Zip Code 77072 and 77099 Memorial Hermann – Alief Health Center 12360 Bear Ram Road, No. T-1 Houston, Texas 77072 Medical and Dental home for uninsured children and a secondary access point for insured children Zip Code 77079 El Franco Lee Health Center 8901 Boone Road Houston, Texas 77099 Primary care services, on-site optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, psychiatry, radiology, nutrition and health education, behavioral counseling, spiritual care Ibn Sina Foundation Community Medical and Dental Center 11226 South Wilcrest Drive Houston, Texas 77099 Primary care, specialty care, diagnostic and dental, discounted and free programs Legacy Community Health Services 12677 Bissonnet Houston, Texas 77099 Behavioral Health Services, Pediatrics 122 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Gulfton CLINICS LOCATED IN THE GULFTON AREA Zip Code 77081 Legacy Community Health Services 6500 Mapleridge, Suite 106 Houston, Texas 77081 Adult primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health services Robindell Same Day Clinic 5420 Dashwood, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77081 Minor illnesses, minor injuries, lab tests, vaccinations IDC Charity Clinic 6550 Mapleridge Street Houston, Texas 77081 Free medical services to people who are in dire need of medical services and can not afford them Planned Parenthood Southwest 5800 Bellaire Boulevard, Building 1B Houston, Texas 77081 Birth control, general healthcare, HIV testing, men’s healthcare, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and services, STD testing, treatment & vaccines, women’s healthcare Texas Children’s Clinic – Gulfton 5900 Chimneyrock, Suite Y Houston, Texas 77081 Full service pediatric care including prenatal consultations, well-child visits, care of illnesses, care and treatment of minor injuries, vaccinations and immunizations, preventable health care, school and sports physicals, hearing and vision screening, health care and nutrition education Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 123 AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS Houston ISD Alief ISD HIGHER EDUCATION Houston Baptist University The University of Houston Houston Community College Southwest Campus PARKS Sharpstown .............................................................................................................................................. Bonham Park 8401 Braes Acres, 77074 Crain E.L. Park 9051 Triola, 77036 Forum Park 9900 Sugar Branch Drive 77036 Landsdale Community Center and Park 8201 Roos Road 77036 Sharpstown Green Park 6300 Sharpview, 77074 Sharpstown Community Center and Park 6600 Harbor Town, 77036 Sharpstown Park and Golf Course 6600 Harbor Town, 77036 124 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Alief .............................................................................................................................................. Arthur Storey Park 7400 W. Sam Houston Parkway, 77072 Alief Amity Park Alief 12509 Alief Clodine Road, 77082 Dotson Family Park 12935 Old Richmond, 77099 Harwin Park 11305 Harwin Drive, 77072 Boone Road Park 7700 Boone Road, 77072 Hackberry Park 7777 S. Dairy Ashford Road, 77072 Gulfton .............................................................................................................................................. Burnett Bayland Community Center 6000 Chimney Rock, 77081 Pin Oak Park Harris County Bayland Park 6400 Bissonnet Street, 77074 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 125 Appendix 5 Health of Houston Survey TABLE 1 Health Status and Chronic Conditions SAG Houston Area Fair or Poor Health 29%20% Poor Physical Health 18%18% Pain Limits Function 7+ days 12%15% Pain Ever Limits Function 32%35% Obese Adults 24%30% Overweight and Obese Adults 58%63% Children at Unhealthy Weight 43%34% Diabetes Diagnosis 15%11% High Blood Pressure Diagnosis 26%30% Cancer Diagnosis 7%6% CVD Diagnosis 5%7% Asthma Diagnosis 7%9% TABLE 2 126 Health Insurance SAG Houston Area No Insurance Adults 47%31% No Insurance at some point last 12 months 52%36% No Prescription Drug Coverage (18+) 45%32% No Dental Insurance - Adults 79%59% Problems Paying for Medical Bills 26%25% No Insurance - Children 12%13% No Insurance at some point last 12 months (0-17) 15%16% No Prescription Drug Coverage (0-17) 18%18% No Dental Insurance - Children 32%27% Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 TABLE 3 Access to Care SAG Houston Area No Personal Doctor 44%31% Excessive Travel Time 16%15% Excessive Waiting Time 39%32% Dependent for Travel to Doctor 24%18% Barriers to Healthcare Access - Adults 32%24% Barriers to Healthcare Access - Children 17%23% TABLE 4 Mental Health SAG Serious Psychological Distress 12% Mental Health Perceived Need 16%16% Mental Health Visits in the Last 12 Months (18+) Mental Health Visits with psychological distress in the Last 30 Days (based on K6 questions) Houston Area 7% 4% 8% 12%16% TABLE 5 Preventive Services SAG Houston Area Unscreened for Breast Cancer (women 40-74 yrs) 37%36% Unscreened for Cervical Cancer (women 21-65 yrs) 25%20% Unscreened for Colorectal Cancer (residents 50-74 yrs) 50%42% Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 127 TABLE 6 Behavioral Risk Factor SAG Houston Area Current Smokers 15%17% Smoking in the House 5%6% Fast Food Consumption - Adults 18%25% Rarely Easts Breakfast 34%28% Less than Recommended Aerobic activity 50%53% Binge Drinking 22%29% TABLE 7 Child Behavioral Risk Factors SAG Ever Miss Breakfast 17%19% Soda Consumption 30%23% Fast Food Consumption - Children 20%22% Less than Recommended Physical Activity 77%77% Screen Time 65%72% Houston Area TABLE 8 128 Neighborhood, Environment & Housing SAG Houston Area Not Home Owner 46%36% No Regular Car 10%7% No Fruits and Vegetables Available 17%16% Crime Problem 42%26% Stray Animals Problem 48%37% Water Pollution Problem 18%10% Drinking Water Problem 26%19% Dumping Problem 14%17% Traffic Fumes Problem 17%17% Industry Fumes Problem 7%15% Outdoor Noise 23%22% No Support for Daily Chores 16%12% No Support for Relaxation 10%8% No Support to Understand One’s Problems 14%10% Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 Appendix 6 Houston Police Department Beats Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 129 References COMMUNITY HEALTH Needs and Assets Assessment Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton A Collaboration: Episcopal Health Foundation with 1 http://hhs2010.sph.uth.tmc.edu/AreaProfileReport/ Accessed 9.16.2015. 2 Health of Houston Survey. http://hhs2010.sph.uth.tmc.edu/AreaProfileReport/ Accessed 9.16.2015. November 2015 3 Capps, Fix and Nwosu. A Profile of Immigrants in Houston, the Nation’s Most Diverse Metropolitan Area. Migration Policy Institute. March 2015. http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/profileimmigrantshoustonnationsmostdiversemetropolitanarea Accessed 9.18.2015. 4 2014 Progress Report. Purpose Built Communities. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAD&url=http%3A%2 F%2Fpurposebuiltcommunitiesorg%2Fwpcontent%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2FStateofPurposeBuiltGregGiornelli September302014.pdf&ei=BR0VOjHKNfWoATC6oKgCA&usg=AFQjCNEvYNmAMgIVwM3hNruHb6AoYK8cxA Accessed 1.12.2015. 5 N. Bracht and L. Kingsbury, 1990, Community Organizational Principles in Health Promotion, in N. Bracht, ed., Health Promotion at the Community Level, Sage Publications, Newbury Park. 6 I. Reisz, J Peranteau, PG Bray, KK Lopez, C Meyer, L Mendoza, AC Bracey, K Chan and N Ferrell. St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities. 2007 Community Health Reports: Gulfton Area Neighborhood. Houston, Texas. 7 Photovoice website: www.photovoice.org. Accessed 9.6.2015. 8 I. Reisz, KJ Williams, PG Bray, J Peranteau, SL McIntrye, R Khali. St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities Healthy Neighborhood Initiative: 2003 Community Health Report: Denver Harbor/Port of Houston Super Neighborhood. Houston, Texas. 9 World Health Organization. Inequities are killing people on grand scale, reports WHO’s Commission. Press Release 28 August 2008. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2008/pr29/en/ Accessed 9.6.2015. 10 Sallis J. Using research to create a less obesogenic world. Texas Obesity Research Center. 04.9.2009. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsa llis.ucsd.edu%2FDocuments%2FPubs_documents%2FSlides_HoustonObesity_040909.pdf&ei=j0a0VLq8E8SWNuqX gLAD&usg=AFQjCNGnOHrjzOdZuHikHquH2Z5xrJMyeg&bvm=bv.83339334,d.eXY Accessed 1.12.2015. 11 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Health Starts Where We Learn. 10.19.2010. http://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2010/10/healthstartswherewelearn. html Accessed 09.06.2015. 12 Dahlgren and Whitehead. 1991. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Social+Ecological+Model+Health+Disparities&view=detailv2&&id=7C31A BD6F60E74158F802281635DD5C8EA45F64E&selectedIndex=34&ccid=Uc5I8Wgx&simid=607993857438453166&th id=JN.EHOorGYapDrtj%2bz9NR32vQ&ajaxhist=0 Accessed 09.6.2015. 13 Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Principles of Community Engagement. Second Edition. June 2011. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/index.html Accessed 09.06.2015. 130 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 14 University of California at Berkeley. Community Engagement Strategies, Tip Sheet. http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~pbd/pdfs/Community_Engagement_Strategies.pdf Accessed 09.06.2015. 15 Bowen, F, NewenhamKahindi, A, Herremans, I. 2010. When Suits Meet Roots: The Antecedents and Consequences of Community Engagement Strategy. Journal of Business Ethics. 16 Israel BA, Schulz AJ, Parker EA, Becker AB. 2001. Communitybased participatory research: policy recommendations for promoting a partnership approach in health research. Educ Health (Abingdon); 14(2):182197. 17 Israel BA, Schulz AJ, Parker EA, Allen AJ, Guzman JR. 2003. Critical issues in developing and following community based participatory research principles. In: Minkler M, Wallerstein N, editors. Community Based Participatory Research in Health. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. 18 Greene, J. 2007. Mixed Methods in Social Inquiry. San Francisco, CA: JosseyBass. 19 The Prevention Institute. http://www.preventioninstitute.org/ Accessed 09.6.2015. 20 Neighborhood Centers Inc. 2012. Alief – Houston, TX 2013 Community Profile. 21 I. Reisz, J Peranteau, PG Bray, KK Lopez, C Meyer, L Mendoza, AC Bracey, K Chan and N Ferrell. St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities. 2007 Community Health Reports: Gulfton Area Neighborhood. Houston, Texas. 22 Neighborhood Centers Inc. 2014. Gulfton Expansion – Houston, TX. 2014 Community Profile. 23 Peranteau, J., Cooper, C.M., Bray, P.G., Reisz, I., Lopez, K., Haygood, B., and R. Khalil. (September 2004). St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities Community Health Assessment Committee. 2004 Community Health Report: Houston’s Alief and Park Place Super Neighborhood. Houston, Texas. 24 http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/texasmedicalcenter/communityhealthneedsassessmenttmc/ Accessed 9.16.2015. 25 http://www.setexasrhp.com/external/content/document/6182/2504518/1/Community%20Needs%20Assessment %20for%201115%20Waiver%20RHP%20Plan%203%202015.pdf Accessed 9.16.2015. 26 Neighborhood Centers Inc. 2012, p. 9. 27 Neighborhood Centers, Inc. 2014, p. 9. 28 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfton,_Houston Accessed 09.9.2015. 29 The University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston: School of Public Health. The Health of Houston Survey. http://hhs2010.sph.uth.tmc.edu/AreaProfileReport/ Accessed 6.15.2015. 30 HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2015. http://aspe.hhs.gov/povertyguidelines.Accessed 10.1.2015. 31 The University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston: School of Public Health. The Health of Houston Survey. http://hhs2010.sph.uth.tmc.edu/AreaProfileReport/ Accessed 6.15.2015. 32 Ibid. Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 131 33 The University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston: School of Public Health. The Health of Houston Survey. http://hhs2010.sph.uth.tmc.edu/AreaProfileReport/ Accessed 6.15.2015. 34 Source: Houston Police Department. 35 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 36 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 37 Ibid. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 41 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. 42 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 43 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. 44 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, 2000. American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 45 Source: City of Houston Planning and Development Department. Data Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007-2011. 46 Source: American Community Survey, 2008-2012. 47 Capps, Fix and Nwosu. A Profile of Immigrants in Houston, the Nation’s Most Diverse Metropolitan Area. Migration Policy Institute. March 2015. http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/profileimmigrantshoustonnationsmostdiversemetropolitanarea Accessed 9.18.2015. 48 http://www.hcps.org/cys%20directory%202012.pdf http://www.houstontx.gov/housing/cfhservices2011.pdf http://www.houstontx.gov/vetaffairs/vetaffairsguide.pdf http://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/8339/FACECommResourceGuideFinal032014.pdf http://www.hcps.org/cys%20directory%202012.pdf Accessed January – March, 2015. 132 Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 We extend a special thanks to the residents for their time, talents, knowledge and their participation in the community groups and Photovoice activities. Without you there would be no report. THANK YOU! Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment • Sharpstown | Alief | Gulfton • 2015 133 Episcopal Health Foundation Research Division 500 Fannin St., Suite 300 Houston, TX 77002 713.225.0900 © 2015 Episcopal Health Foundation and Legacy Community Health Services