Tri Community a & I Project

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) conducted the Tri-Community Assessment & Intervention (A&I) project in September 2006 after being approached by members of the community who felt that it lacked access to health care.

The A&I's purposes were to 1) investigate access to health care; 2) explore environmental issues in the community; 3) link residents to needed health and human services; and 4) mobilize the department and community in an assessment and intervention.

After mobilizing its own resources, HDHHS identified and invited other organizations, including the Tri-Community Super Neighborhood Council, Neighborhood Centers, Inc, Houston Hope, and other City departments including Houston Public Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Building Services, and Planning and Development, to join in the initiative and assist in mapping out the A & I strategy. Other agencies were identified to assist in providing needed resources for the A & I.

Through a series of meetings and caucuses a methodology was developed to both address the immediate need expressed by the community members and to address the need for a sustainable effort to improve the quality of life in the community.

Immediate needs were addressed over a 60 day period through referral to needed services. It was recognized that many issues in the community require a more sustained effort. The department is now working with the community, Houston Hope, and other organizations to develop strategies to address problems within the community through a mobilization effort that is designed to foster sustained community buy-in and participation.