Good schools, safe neighborhoods and affordable houses--these are some of the qualities that build strong communities. A special community group called the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment Committee is seeking input from people who live, work and play in DeKalb County to identify other elements of a strong community.

The group's goal is to collect information for a strategic plan to improve the quality of life in DeKalb County. More than 25,000 surveys will be given to churches, neighborhoods associations, malls and schools to collect community comments.

The effort is part of a strategic process known as Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP). The DeKalb County Board of Health, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Grady Health System and numerous other education, business and civic partners are using this process to improve overall health and well being in the county.

"Sustaining and building strong communities means listening to the people and strengthening the things that are right and correcting the things that are wrong," says Wendell Kimbrough, general manager of South DeKalb Mall and chair of the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment committee.

The group hopes to have results by the end of the fall.

"We're also looking at community health status, forces of change, local public health systems and how they all relate to the quality of life in our county," says assessment coordinator, Cathy Gearring of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "MAPP presents a unique opportunity for the community to share its thoughts, feelings and ideas and then watch the action plan unfold."

To arrange to have your group complete a survey, call Avian Wynn, DeKalb County Board of Health at (404) 294-3803 or go online to www.dekalbhealth.net/mapp.

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