NCJ Number
65626
Editor(s)
P STICKNEY
Date Published
1976
Length
44 pages
Annotation
SINCE GAINING COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE IS VITAL TO RUNNING COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONS, THIS HANDBOOK EXPLAINS PRACTICAL WAYS OF DEALING WITH HUMAN RELATIONS, RESTRICTIVE ZONING, AND COMMUNICATION ISSUES.
Abstract
COMMUNITY RESIDENCE PLANNERS AND SPONSORS ARE PROVIDED WITH IDEAS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A COMMUNITY AND FOR DETERMINING STRATEGIES WHICH CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN GAINING SUPPORT FOR A COMMUNITY RESIDENCE AND IN RESOLVING CONFLICT. THEY ARE INFORMED OF THE OBSTACLES CAUSED BY RESTRICTIVE ZONING CODES. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE INSTRUCTED ON EXAMPLES OF JUDICIAL ACTION, MUNICIPAL CODE REVISION, AND STATE LEGISLATION WHICH CAN AND HAVE HELPED ALLEVIATE THESE OBSTACLES IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES AND STATES AND WHICH HAVE PROVIDED SAFEGUARDS FOR AVOIDING AN OVERCONCENTRATION OF COMMUNITY RESIDENCES IN ANY ONE AREA. FINALLY, A REVIEW OF THE MEDIA'S ROLE IN GAINING SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENCES IS INCLUDED, ALONG WITH EXAMPLES OF NEWS STORIES, EDITORIALS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION EFFORTS THAT SHOW PROMISE FOR SECURING PUBLIC APPROVAL FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. THE HANDBOOK SUGGESTS CAREFUL SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF A COMMUNITY AND OF A RESIDENCE TO LOCATE IN, WITH AN EYE TO PROXIMITY TO ADEQUATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND TRANSPORTATION, THE CHARACTER, SIZE, AND APPEARANCE OF THE COMMUNITY AND FACILITY, THE DISTANCE TO OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS, AND THE REPUTATION OF THE PROSPECTIVE LANDLORD. ADVANTAGES OF OFFERING INCENTIVES TO THE COMMUNITY, WAYS TO INTEGRATE THE RESIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND STRATEGIES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION INVOLVING NEGOTIATION AND SMALL TRADE-OFFS ARE EXPLAINED. A CONCLUDING SECTION SUMMARIZES COMMUNITY AWARENESS EFFORTS, PLANNING STRATEGIES, COALITION DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC INFORMATION TACTICS, AND LEGAL METHODS FOR GAINING COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE, EMPHASIZING THAT ACCEPTANCE IS A REALIZABLE GOAL. APPENDIXES INCLUDE A GLOSSARY AND A LIST OF 13 RESOURCE MATERIALS.