Working Hypothesis: Comprehensive Programming

A CTC with comprehensive programming will be more effective at developing community competence.

Corollary 1: A holistic CTC will recognize the diverse strengths as well as the needs within a community and incorporate this understanding into its programming.

Corollary 2: A CTC that attracts a wide variety of community members and provides participants with a holistic experience will increase participants' economic social, and physical well-being.

Physical Capacity

Questions about Community Assessment

Research Question:What is the physical make-up of the target community?
Survey Questions: What CBOs, centers, churches, schools, businesses, employment opportunities, childcare facilities, and medical centers are located in your community? Why are you located here?

Questions about Recruitment

Research Question: Where and how does the organization reach its target constituency?
Survey Questions: How do you recruit participants for your program? Where do your participants live or come from?

Questions about Purpose

Research Question: How are the physical characteristics of the organization are informed by the community's needs?
Survey Questions: Does your facility accommodate all programs? How have the changing needs of the community affected infrastructure?

Questions about Evaluation

Research Question: Has the CTC evolved when faced with a community's changing needs?
Survey Questions: Was computer access initially part of the CTC's mission? If not, what led to the decision to introduce computers? How has the CTC's infrastructure changed over the years? How has this change reflected the community's changing needs?

Social Capacity

Questions about Community Assessment

Research Question: What are the unique needs of the community?
Survey Questions: What is the participants' age, gender, ethnicity, disabilities, income, native language, other languages, family structure, education, job skills, employed? What is the crime rate in this community? What distinguishes your community from other communities? What are the issues of concern facing your community today?

Questions about Recruitment

Research Question: Who is the target constituency for the organization?
Survey Questions: What type of participants do you look for? Why did you join this CTC? What are membership requirements? Do you find things in common with staff and other participants? What type of staff do you hire? Does the staff make-up reflect the community?

Questions about Purpose

Research Question: What types of programs are available and what needs do they address?
Survey Questions: How many programs are available? What is the focus of each program? How do you incorporate technology into your programs? Is technology the primary focus of programming decisions? What community needs, other than access, do your programs address? What makes your programming relevant to your target constituency?

Questions about Evaluation

Research Question: Does the CTC's programming successfully meet the community's needs?
Survey Questions: Has the CTC ever added new programs to address changing needs and opportunities? Does the CTC seek feedback about its programs from its participants? How are existing programs shaped by participant and staff feedback?