Community Assessment and Strategic Planning in Henderson, Nebraska

Henderson, Nebraska, a community of 986 people located 65 miles west of Lincoln, recently hired the Center to conduct community assessment work in preparation for the development of a strategic and long-term master plan. The Heartland Center is assisting with the assessment and strategic planning. Assessment work will be conducted through the Center's Community Capacity Questionnaire (online), key informant interviews and focus groups.

The strategic planning process began in November and is based on an Appreciative Inquiry model of Discover, Dream, Design and Deliver. During a November town hall meeting, Heartland Center staff guided 86 people, ten percent of this community's population, through the first two phases, Discover and Dream. A report back on the interviews, focus groups and online survey will be presented to Henderson in January, 2010 along with the final two phases (Design and Deliver), forming the basis for the strategic plan.