DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Social Ecological Model perspective is often used to conceptualize or think about the different levels of society which influence the way we think and operate, from the grassroots level up to the governmental level. The following is a list of decreasing scope of the various levels according to the Social Ecological Model: larger macro levels (governmental policies and laws), community level (ie. neighborhood), organizations level (ie. church, school, business), group level (ie. the youth), dyad level (ie. a husband and wife), and individual level (one person). For each theme previously discussed, factors influencing these issues will be described (determinants); and strategic levels of society to influence positive change for each theme will be suggested, with specific examples of possible interventions.

Both the secondary and primary data indicated that growth in Fuquay-Varina is a central issue facing the community. At the society/policy level, infrastructure demands such as roads and water resources exceed the current capacity. In addition, positive and negative aspects exist for commercial and population growth as well as with business and residential zoning.

At the community level, several changes in town culture have taken place, namely northerners moving into the area, the emergence of a bedroom community of Research Triangle Park employees, and ethnic/racial changes resulting from the increase in the Latino population. The population and cultural changes, to some extent, compromised the small town feel of Fuquay-Varina in which people tend to know their neighbors. At the same time, this growth affords more opportunities, warranting cautious optimism on the part of community members.

Possible interventions include re-igniting support for the Community Advisory Board, which produced a growth plan but did not use it. With all the cultural changes taking place in Fuquay-Varina, securing more diverse representation on community planning committees and organizations seems necessary along with a wider scope of focus for interventions among growing sectors of the community.

On the policy level concerns from more than one source arose about allocation of resources in the community based on socioeconomic status and/or race, namely improvements in sidewalks in selected areas of town. Similarly, there is a lack of communication and sense of community between racial and ethnic groups at the community level, including a language barrier with the Latino population and a history of traditional employment roles divided according to race and ethnicity.

Improving race relations in Fuquay-Varina could include working with existing community organizations to facilitate collaboration across races and ethnic groups, using the drug task force as a model of different races joining forces to combat the drug problem effectively. The Western Wake Family Services offers financial assistance through ecumenical efforts on the part of local churches and exemplifies an already existing point of possible intervention to bring various races and ethnic groups together. The annual Heritage Festival could provide an atmosphere for promoting cultural diversity by providing a format where different ethnic groups could share various aspects of their culture. Finally, the already existent youth relationships across races could serve to bring the races together. In the context of athletic participation, for example, through cultivating these friendships, the parents may also build relationships with each other.

Some policy level issues emerging from the data included sex education, teenage pregnancy and abortion; overcrowding in schools; and inadequate technological equipment management and provision in the schools. Because the public school system is part of the larger Wake County School System, these policy issues would need to be addressed at the county level. However, community level determinants also exist such as the language barrier between school staff, parents/guardians, and students; parental involvement; and inadequate day care.

Organizations such as Head Start, the Educational Foundation, the Parent Teacher-Student Association, and the Chamber Education Committee serve as organizational level assets already in place that could provide a platform for intervening in Fuquay-Varina's schools. For example, the Educational Foundation's apparently diminishing momentum could be recharged to provide Spanish education or additional computers in the local schools. Although one local teacher already mentioned the Educational Foundation as a strength, further efforts toward building stronger community and school ties should be nurtured.

Several times during the interview process, respondents discussed a lack of entertainment facilities and recreation activities for adolescents and the elderly in Fuquay-Varina. These findings were concurred with the Chamber of Commerce's survey of community members. Yet the Fuquay-Varina Athletic Association is reportedly one of the largest on the east coast. At an organizational level, the schools, Chamber of Commerce, and Town Department of Parks and Recreation could assess the needs for further opportunities and offer programs as desired.

Church involvement, a prominent aspect of life in the community, provides a convenient context to observe the sense of community as well as to intervene. Organizationally speaking, the Western Wake Family Services, which ecumenically provides financial aid, also has an annual inter-faith service. This relationship seems appropriate for intervening because a relationship already exists between churches. Fostering these relationships could build powerful bonds across denominations and across various races as well.

The Community Against Drugs task force has repeatedly been hailed as a shining example of community partnerships, largely because of the community - wide effort free from race or other class distinctions. The community embraced the issue as a whole and made quite a positive impact on the situation. Maintaining and strengthening the partnerships between the various groups that formed this organization would help the community continue this positive momentum. Voicing concerns to the town government, a critical component of the formation of the Citizens Against Drugs task force, should continue to be encouraged. The forming of organizations for every pressing issue would not be advisable, however, as the community would then run the risk of diluting the citizens' interests.

Although crime was generally not thought of as a major concern in Fuquay-Varina, crime in trailer parks where Latino men live was discussed as a concern. At the community level, Crime Watch could be instituted, while at the organizational level, churches could interact more with the Latino community to build relationships with them.

In a certain area of the community, the presence of abandoned houses invited drug trading and trafficking to occur. The drug problem grew and the town fear mixed with complacency in the community. Now, though, the Community Development Corporation is revitalizing this area by tearing down condemned houses and a school renewing the area with a Housing and Urban Development (federal) block grant, an example of a community level intervention being implemented now. A community level program educating parents about how to tell whether your kids are using drugs could also be useful and pertinent as an intervention at this level.

The shortage of primary care and specialist physicians was repeatedly noted in interviews, partly due to the difficulty in attracting them to the area and also due to some physicians' health insurance requirements, causing them to leave the area. One possible recommendation is the use of comprehensive recruitment packages, which highlight Fuquay-Varina's character, opportunity for growth, and family-oriented community.

Overall, there is strong congruence between the secondary data in Part One and the primary data gathered from interviews in Part Two. Moreover, the community members tend to agree with providers and officials on most issues. An exception is the issue on how to accommodate growth in the area. It was reported in one interview that the committee which planned for growth is not going by these very plans, or else businesses such as Wal-Mart would not be here. Another exception is the discussion of the quality of schools. While some claim that the schools, particularly the middle schools and high schools, are good and meet expected growth standards, the standardized test scores fall below the county's test scores as a whole. Lastly, one service provider claims that the Fuquay-Varina Athletic Association offers one of the largest recreation programs in the entire east coast; but a number of interviewees noted a lack of recreational opportunities for young people in the area. These incongruences are minor when compared to the many consistencies between primary and secondary data, as well as between community members and service providers.

A number of units of identity have been identified, including groups of people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, recognized leadership positions, churches, and partnerships between a number of organizations. The table in this section describes some enabling factors for finding solutions to overcome barriers between units of identity as well as units of solution.

The geographical definition of Fuquay-Varina's community was previously defined in the Geography section of Part One, but this community may define themselves in ways besides geographic boundaries. While acknowledging themselves as a growing community where people do not necessarily know their neighbors, they quickly note its historical perspective, with its lingering friendly, small town feel. It is a town in transition, facing tension between two forces of impact - its past and its future. Most view this dynamic era of Fuquay-Varina with cautious optimism, in which they not only enjoy the benefits of positive changes but also want to preserve its unique and treasured features.

Broadly speaking, Fuquay-Varina is seen as a highly competent community, given its many assets and demonstration of community competence. Despite areas in need of improvement, its strong leaders from the grassroots level up to recognized leaders in the community have a passionate and nurturing attitude toward the community. These leaders' strong sense of ownership and vision to see Fuquay-Varina thrive and prosper in the midst of tremendous growth assures refusing to concede to any threats to the cherished sense of community. Thus, Fuquay-Varina demonstrates an array of competencies within its community that effect powerful change. The rich heritage of Fuquay-Varina's sense of community, along with the continuous promotion of community, will be foundational to Fuquay-Varina's successful development in years to come.

Chapters According to Major Themes and Issues

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References