ABSTRACT
The focus of this chapter is on how a community change gets started when community members notice opportunities or issues that need to be addressed. The goal of all community change is to ensure the well-being of its residents. The change process begins with observing and noticing that things are not as they should be. The beginning of change can be as simple as noticing those things that suggest a barrier to children and families having the social supports and physical surroundings to thrive. Observations need to be followed by reflection to plan and carry out formal data collection to assess the community’s needs and priorities. The concept of having a framework or mental model is introduced to show its importance in the planning process.
