Community Asset Map (CAM)

What is a Community Asset Map?

Completing a Community Asset Map (CAM) for your local area is one of the first steps to starting a Synapse chapter. The purpose of conducting a CAM is to identify what resources are currently available to the local brain injury community, and what resources are needed.

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How to Create a Community Asset Map:

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1. Identifying Individuals to Contact

An essential step in the foundation of a Synapse chapter is to assess the existing support services for individuals with brain injuries in your local community. This will inform you of the gaps specific to your community so that you can more effectively address its true needs rather than replicating existing services. 

The best way to obtain this information is by speaking with individuals in the field. Start by identifying relevant community organizations and resources by searching for resources and support groups for individuals with acquired brain injuries in your city. Some examples include:

• Local Non-profits

• Athletic Departments

• Office for Students with Disabilities

• Hospitals, particularly Rehabilitation Hospitals

• Rehabilitation Centers

• Outpatient Therapy Centers (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy)

• Other Support Groups

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2. Contacting Community Organizations & Professionals

Create a Google Sheet with a database of the individuals you contact including columns for name, affiliated organization, role within the organization, date contacted, whether they have responded, and whether any follow-up is needed. It will be helpful to do this early on because these will be many of the same individuals that you will reach out to when advertising your Synapse chapter’s activities and events.

Here is an example outreach email: 

Dear ______,

My name is ____ and I’m a sophomore at ___ studying neuroscience. I’m part of a student group called Synapse, whose goal is to create a supportive environment for individuals with brain injuries. I am looking to learn more about the existing resources for those with brain injury in the local area, and would be very interested in learning from your experience in the field. Please let me know if you have any time to meet or to speak over the phone in the next couple weeks. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.  

Best,

______

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3. Meeting with Community Organizations & Professionals

Start the meeting by introducing yourself and sharing Synapse’s mission and the activities each chapter carries out in order to execute that mission, including peer support groups, and the buddy program, as well as any other activities your chapter is planning to implement. 

Make sure to bring questions as well. Some relevant questions include:

• What resources/support does your organization provide for individuals with brain injuries?

• What are some other local resources for individuals with brain injuries and their caregivers?

• What new services might these individuals be in need of?

• Aside from the programs I mentioned, is there anything else that we can do as a student organization to support the brain injury community?

Make sure to thank them for their time after the interview, and to send a follow-up thank you email within 48 hours.

 

4. Synthesize Findings

Synthesize your findings in a 2-3 page Community Asset Map. These findings should include: a list of existing resources, relevant individuals you have met with or spoken to, descriptions of resources they feel are missing from their community and any other information you feel is pertinent. This Community Asset Map will serve as the basis for the foundation of your chapter.