Efland, Orange County : an action-oriented community diagnosis: findings and next steps of action
Creators: name: Hunter, Jaimie
name: Jackson, Theresa
name: Farnsworth, Jennifer
name: Philpott, Julia
name: Spurlock, Danielle
name: Aulino, Felicity
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2003

description: Six students from the UNC School of Public Health worked with the Efland community in the spring of 2003 to conduct an Action Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD). The team conducted interviews with community members and service providers in the area, and then worked with a planning committee to bring people together at a community forum to discuss major topics and plan future actions for desired changes. The most frequently mentioned assets of the Efland community include: the high quality of life enjoyed by residents; its convenient geographic location; the high prevalence of religious activity; and the friendly, familial atmosphere of the area. Along with these strengths, six major issues arose during the course of this process: the disparities between Southern and Northern Orange County; water and sewer; services; transportation; youth; and growth and development. Many Efland residents expressed the desire for more youth centered recreational activities. Some community members felt the increase in teen drug use is the consequence of a limited recreation in Efland, and organized activities could reduce drug use by presenting youth with other options for their free time. Accurate information on the actual drug situation and risk factors currently operating for children in the area today could help community groups make a case for creating opportunities for the youth to parents and potential donors. New data needs to be collected on the prevalence of and the current risk factors for adolescent drug use in the Efland community, as such information may have changed since outlined in past research documents. Another major issue is the water and sewer infrastructure in Efland. A sewer system will cost either the county or its residents a great deal of money both to install and maintain. The county’s stalled action suggests it is not currently economically attractive to them to extend this needed service. But the growth of subdivisions pushing in from Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park may increase demands for services. Future research should be directed toward finding out exactly how much taxes and service fees will increase for residents already living in the Efland area. There is a possibility that residents are not being extended necessary services now and may not be able to afford them later when these services do become available. Water and sewer infrastructure is directly tied to issues of growth and development. Without an area representative on the Board of County Commissioners, Efland community members need a detailed account of economic development plans for the Efland area to ensure the advancement of their interests. Details of the restrictions on building in the Efland area (due to soils and watershed regulations) need be outlined and compared to the areas where septic tanks are failing and where there is an expressed need for a sewer system. Groups that deal with environmental justice should be consulted in the event that a needed public health service is being withheld based on revenue potential considerations at the county level. Finally, the Efland community should continue to highlight their many assets. The strengths of this community are a foundation that can enable the completion of the desired changes voiced by the community. Community members with experience rallying their community to action emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement, and celebrating the richness of Efland’s citizenry may be a powerful mover of the community.