A Study Of Resiliency In Communities

Appendix C

Focus Group Question Guide

Introduction

During this discussion, we will ask you to talk about the challenges this community faces, and the strengths it offers to deal with the challenges. In responding to the questions, we would like you to think about the community as a whole, and about how groups and organizations within the community work to shape its future.

General Protective Factors

1. What's good about living in __________these days?

Risk Factors

2.What's tough/hard about living here these days?

3.What are the two/three greatest needs/challenges in your community right now?

Protective Factors and Outcomes

4. Overall, _________has survived despite a lot of challenges. Why is this? What has made this happen?

Probes:

• In what specific ways are community members working together to meet these challenges?
• What plans are there to address these needs?
• How are/will these plans being/be implemented?
• How effectively are community organizations communicating and interacting in response to these challenges?

5. Describe how groups and organizations in the community encourage the participation/input of community members in dealing with these challenges.

Probe:

6.Beyond friends and family, what support systems or networks (formal or informal) are in place in this community to help people deal with the problems of these hard times? (e.g., support groups, self-help groups, advisory groups, neighbourhood networks)

7.What are the most important indicators of success in this community?

General Tone/Perception of the Community

8. To what extent does the community feel hopeful about the future?