Community Resource Mapping

Community Resource Mapping (CRM) is a system-building method that strategically links community resources with an agreed-upon vision, organizational goals, strategies, and/or expected outcomes.

CRM begins with comprehensive data gathering to determine community Assets (supports, resources, strengths) and Needs (challenges, problems, gaps), makes a comparison of assets and needs, and then develops a plan to bridge gaps, align supports, make strategic use of existing strengths and tap into underutilized assets.

CRM will result in a comprehensive action plan designed to align systems and practices to the broad mission and vision of that community, and targeted to making progress toward specific goals.

CRM is a collaborative effort involving all essential stakeholders and supported by a commitment to evidence-based practices, comprehensive data gathering and analysis and integrated system-wide processes.

An outcome of CRM is NOT the development of a directory or reference book per se, but rather knowledge of and easy access to relevant, available community resources. While such a directory is often a by-product of Mapping, this outcome can be achieved in other ways.

CRM outcomes are not driven by the mandates of individual systems or the personal beliefs of individuals. While the outcomes MUST achieve important outcomes for all involved, it is the collective vision and objectively gathered data that drives the mapping process and outcomes.

CRM is a tool that collaboratives use to identify community needs, assets and gaps in order to increase access to appropriate mental health services for children and families. This action plan supports the work of both schools and community partners and should lead to increased access to a continuum of services in each community.

CRM Resources