Subpopulation Assessments
Cottage Health, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and other partners conducted subpopulation assessments to better understand the health and well-being needs of specific people groups and geographies within Santa Barbara County.
Designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of specific communities and improve representation of marginalized community members, these subpopulation assessments were set-up to be replicated in other areas of the county, allowing for expanded data collection comparable to data at the county level.
Westside Needs Assessment
The Westside Needs Assessment collected data door-to-door in the primary census tracts on the Westside of Santa Barbara in July through August 2022. The process used a stratified random sample methodology with an option to complete the survey in-person or online. The procedures used in this effort were based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) method. Findings will help inform programs and initiatives to support the needs of those living on the Westside and the development of a Westside community resource center.
Santa Maria Needs Assessment
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department collaborated with Cottage Health, Dignity Health, California Department of Public Health, and community-based organizations to conduct a rapid needs assessment of Santa Maria in October 2022. Using the CASPER methodology, the Santa Maria Needs Assessment (SMNA) quickly captured information about the health needs and assets of community through a random, door-to-door sample of households. The SMNA aimed to collect data that can be generalizable and will help inform the future allocation of resources to support the needs of those living in Santa Maria.
