Building our community dashboard

The first step in creating a Community Dashboard was to agree on a common vision.  Throughout 2008, members of the CAN community identified collective goals for all people in our community. The Community dashboard indicators measure whether we are moving towards these goals.

we achieve
our full
potential

• We have the education, skills and opportunities to achieve our full potential and lead meaningful, joyful lives.
• We have adequate income, resources and supports to live independent lives.

our basic needs
are met

• We live in a community where the basic needs of all are met.
• We live in affordable and stable housing with access to open space and public amenities.
• We have safe, affordable, accessible and reliable transportation.

we are healthy

• We live, work, learn and play in accessible, safe, clean and healthy physical environments.
• We have adequate nutrition and achieve and maintain optimal physical and behavioral health.

we are safe, just and engaged

• We are free from abuse, neglect, crime, violence and injustice.
• We respect and value diversity.
• We are aware, socially connected, and contribute to our neighborhoods, individual communities, and the community at large.
• We have the opportunity and willingness to lead by utilizing our talents, passions and interests to improve the community.

The Community Action Network appointed a Dashboard Steering Committee in 2009 comprised of people who represent a broad array of issues including health and human services, education, workforce, mental health and criminal justice.  The Committee used as its starting point the work of many collaborations in our community and around the nation that have developed outcomes and indicators to measure community progress.  The committee began with more than 80 indicators and, over the course of several meetings, condensed these to the 16 indicators included in this report. The Dashboard Steering Committee will continue to work with the CAN Board of Directors to make recommendations to improve and enrich this annual report.