-African proverb

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s) About Every Block A Village Online

Welcome to EBV Online's F.A.Q.'s page! Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about EBV Online, an exciting community health and safety program located in Chicago's Westside. To understand EBV Online, you should know more about Every Block A Village...

What is Every Block A Village?
How Was the Target Area Chosen for EBV?
What is Every Block A Village Online?
How is EBV Online Supported?
How will EBV Online Accomplish Its Goals?
How Will EBV Online Measure Its Success?
What is the Future of EBV Online?

What is Every Block A Village

Every Block A Village (EBV) is a community strengthening initiative created by the Westside Health Authority in the Austin Community on Chicago's West Side. It is based on the capacity-building model of community strengthening and uses a "neighbors helping neighbors" approach. Through EBV, the assets of individuals in the community are recognized and employed in a multitude of programs which enhance the community block by block. The emphasis of EBV is on developing new assets within the community and on fostering relationships among community members. Community residents, not organizations, are the focus of empowerment. Introduced in July, 1996, the four main goals of EBV are:   1) to improve the physical appearance of the community 2) to provide opportunities, guidance and support to youth 3) to reduce violence 4) to foster economic development

The target area of EBV is a 57 block region in the heart of the Austin Community. EBV relies upon the skills and involvement of Citizen Leaders from each block in the target area. Citizen Leaders serve as information liaisons, neighborhood facilitators, and contact persons for block and community-wide projects. Each month, Citizen Leaders meet at Westside Health Authority to discuss issues and share ideas. Between meetings, Citizen Leaders distribute information and facilitate collaboration among neighbors on each block. Through this cooperative and capacity-enhancing approach, neighbors on each block create a "village" environment consistent with the goals of EBV.

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How Was the Target Area Chosen for EBV?

The 57 blocks in EBV were chosen because they correspond to Chicago Police Beat 1524. This area includes Westside Health Authority, several business, and approximately 7,000 residents in approximately 1,700 households. Sixty one percent of housing is owner occupied while 39% is renter occupied. The ethnic mix in 1990 was 96.2 % African American, 1.4% white, 1.8% American Indian, and 0.5% other. In 1990, thirty five percent of adults in Beat 1524 had some college education.

Recent data indicate the Austin community faces a variety of economic, health, and safety challenges. In 1990, the unemployment rate in Austin was 17.9%. This represents and increase from 13.9% in 1980. The median household income in 1990 was $24, 877. That year, 25.7% of Austin residents lived below the poverty line. Infant mortality declined in Austin from 17.3/1,000 live births in 1992-1994 to 16.0/1,000 in 1994-1996. However, this rate was higher than that of Chicago as a whole (12.0/1,000) in 1994-1996. The percentage of low birth weight infants in Austin increased from 15.0% in 1992-1994 to 15.3% in 1994-1996. Over the same time period, births to teen mothers increased from 25.8% to 26.9% of the total. Rates of illness, including syphilis, gonorrhea, AIDS, and tuberculosis are all higher in Austin than in Chicago as a whole.

Chicago Police Department Crime statistics reveal index crimes (murder, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, and arson) occur more frequently in District 15, Austin's primary police district, than in other districts of similar size. There were 870 index crimes in Beat 1524 in 1997.

Although several challenges face residents of Beat 1524, this area also has a wealth of assets. The majority of residents have lived in the area for several years. As a result, community members support of each other and many blocks have active block clubs. Various professions are represented in Beat 1524 including clergy, health care workers, business owners, social workers, educators, and accountants. Numerous retired professionals live here also. Considering the large number of active and retired professionals as well as those who work at home, this community is replete with human capital. The mix of challenges and assets make Beat 1524 an excellent pilot area for Every Block A Village and Every Block A Village Online.

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What is Every Block A Village Online?

Every Block A Village Online is a unique program which uses technology to build upon the success of EBV. It is designed to enhance the ability of Beat 1524 residents to obtain and use valuable health and safety information. By providing technology to Citizen Leaders and their neighbors, EBV Online speeds the process of transforming blocks into villages where residents work together for the common good.

EBV Online strives to attain specific health and safety goals:

1) reduce maternal medical risk factors which complicate pregnancy

2) reduce the proportion of low birth weight infants born in the target area

3) increase first trimester initiation of prenatal care

4) reduce area emergency department visits through increased access to primary care

5) reduce annual index crimes in the target area

EBV Online also has specific community strengthening goals. These include an improved sense of community, increased familiarity and cooperation among neighbors, improved sense of safety in the community, and increased utilization of information technology.

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How is EBV Online Supported?

EBV Online is funded by the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) now Technology Opportunity Program (TOP), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and by West Suburban Hospital Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois. Funding for this three year program began October 1, 1998.

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How will EBV Online Accomplish Its Goals

EBV Online utilizes a personal and technology-based strategy to reach its goals. The first component of this strategy involves providing each of the 57 Citizen Leaders with technology training, Internet access, and hardware. Specifically, each Citizen Leader receives thorough Internet training, WebTV service and equipment, a printer, and an answering machine. These tools allow Citizen Leaders to communicate with each other, with the Westside Health Authority, and with others on the Internet. The tools also allow Citizen Leaders to obtain information from the Internet regarding health, employment opportunities, and community safety. Citizen Leaders use the printers to distribute health and safety information to neighbors on their block. Neighbors make requests for information to Citizen Leaders in person, via the answering machine, or via e-mail. Flyers are distributed throughout the block when a Citizen Leader on that block receives training and equipment. In this way, neighbors know where to go for information.

The second component of EBV Online is the EBV Online home page. Located at www.ebvonline.org, this home page serves as a comprehensive resource for health, safety, employment, and community enhancement resources in Beat 1524. Citizen Leaders, as well as other residents of Beat 1524, are encouraged to visit the EBV Online home page for initial inquiries regarding health and safety information. Examples of health resources include links to pregnancy and family health education pages, directories of area health providers, links to national and local services which answer medical questions by e-mail, and telephone numbers for 24-hour nurse triage. Links to community resources, including Westside Health Authority's home page and the home pages of local politicians, are easily accessible via www.ebvonline.org. Finally, information regarding neighborhood crime is available through a link to the Chicago Police Department's Crime Statistics site. The EBV Online home page is updated regularly to keep the community abreast of late-breaking news and activities.

The third component of EBV Online is the Network Training Site located at Westside Health Authority. Two WebTV units and printers are available at this site to community residents during WHA's regular hours of operation. A Community Liaison and other Westside Health Authority staff are available on site to teach Citizen Leaders, and other community residents, how to access the Internet via WebTV. Emphasis is placed on techniques for obtaining relevant health and safety information. All interested community residents (not just Citizen Leaders) are encouraged to make use of the Network Training Site.

The final component of EBV Online is the ongoing support and training of Citizen Leaders by Westside Health Authority. Much is expected from Citizen Leaders who participated in EBV Online. They serve as information resources to their neighbors as well as facilitators of cooperation and agents of change. They are expected to demonstrate leadership on issues of concern to their block and the community. They must be able to work well with their neighbors and with other Citizen Leaders. To ensure success, Westside Health Authority hosts Citizen Leader meetings every month. At these meetings, Citizen Leaders share ideas on how best to help their blocks become safe and healthy communities. By discussing what works and what doesn't work on their blocks, Citizen Leaders teach each other effective techniques and how to avoid pitfalls in addressing complex issues.

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How Will EBV Online Measure Its Success?

The success of EBV Online will be measured in several ways. First, success stories and interesting anecdotes are recorded in an ongoing fashion. Several community residents have already reported success in obtaining health, safety, and employment information both at home and at the Network Training Site. The excitement and enthusiasm engendered by this program, especially among children and young adults, has been an indication of EBV Online's early success

Community strength indicators, such as sense of community, empowerment, technology utilization, and neighborhood communication are being assessed in waves. First, residents on blocks without EBV Online Citizen Leaders are interviewed regarding these indicators. Then, after EBV Online has been introduced on the block, these same residents are interviewed again. Using random sampling techniques, an accurate picture of change due to this intervention is being assessed

Health and safety outcomes are evaluated using vital statistics and monthly crime reports. Anonymity of residents in Beat 1524 is preserved through use of aggregate data regarding birth outcomes, emergency department use, and index crimes. These outcomes will be compared to data from neighborhoods adjacent to Beat 1524 and to experience within Beat 1524 prior to this intervention. Improved maternal/child health outcomes, reduced Emergency Department visits, and reduced index crimes will reflect the effectiveness of EBV Online

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What is the Future of EBV Online

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from community residents to EBV Online, we have experienced a large demand for technology equipment. Our first priority is to ensure all Citizen Leaders within the target region receive the training and equipment needed to serve as effective EBV Online Citizen Leaders. However, we continue to look for ways to fund Internet access to the growing number of interested EBV area residents

Using Beat 1524 as a pilot area, we plan to expand EBV and EBV Online to other neighborhoods in Austin and throughout Chicago. Additional funding will be sought for this expansion

With the rapid advancement of technology and it increasing importance in everyday life, technology access will continue to grow. EBV Online is unique in its use of technology within the context of a strong and innovative community strengthening program (EBV). Our experience with EBV Online should provide valuable information on how technology can be used to improve health, increase safety, and enhance the quality of neighborhood life. Visit our site regularly or send us an e-mail to learn more about EBV Online!

Prepared by Christopher Masi, MD, Project Director
May 1999