The Community Action Network and the Webster County Department of Health conducted a community assessment in February 2000. The assessment is an update of the February 1998 process, and will be utilized to plan for and implement new programs.

The results are divided into three sections:

1. Community Survey
   The community survey asked citizens of Fort Dodge and Webster County to answer six questions designed to measure opinion about the health of our community. Respondents represent a cross section of our community and include high school students, business groups, human service providers and consumers, and those who responded to a community mailing.

2. Focus Group Survey
   The second section contains the responses of individuals at focus groups. The focus group allowed participants an opportunity to discuss the community health issues facing Webster County. Participants represented a cross section of our community.

3. Webster County Statistics
   The third section is a compilation of statistics and data specific to Webster County.

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Webster County Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan.

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Taking Action

The Community Action Network in response to the information gleaned from the community health surveys has taken action to address several of the problems, issues and concerns raised by the community through this assessment process.

In its efforts to build a healthier community, the Community Action Network is focused on improving the health and strength of families and the well being of youth in the greater Fort Dodge area community. Realizing the most important factor in the successful development of youth is quality parenting, the Community Action Network has placed a high priority on supporting families and parents.

Through five important community initiatives, the Community Action Network is championing the well being of youth, the strengthening of families and supporting parents and the improvement of health for all citizens. These initiatives include the Drug Free Alliance of Fort Dodge, a community coalition focused on significantly reducing the abuse of alcohol and the use of illicit drugs and tobacco, the Parenting Task Force, a community coalition addressing the need for quality parenting education and resources on positive parenting, the Character Counts Coalition of Fort Dodge, a community coalition focused on youth character and leadership development, the Safe Kids Program, a community coalition that champions parent and youth education and awareness on child safety and accident prevention and HealthPartners, a health and wellness program for all citizens and youth that provides free or low cost health/wellness education programs and health screens.

All of these initiatives can be accessed on the home page of this Web site www.fortdodge.org.