2. Cornerstone of Community
Engagement
The premise that environmental community partnerships can harness
community’s energies to sustain our environment for future generations is
the cornerstone of DEBLAR’s community outreach efforts.
Our company contributes to communities’ environmental sustainability by
concentrating our efforts on five areas of focus through which we have
made the greatest difference in improving quality of life: environmental
education, community engagement, partnership building, training, and
decision making.
DEBLAR incorporates a systematic approach to engaging marginalized
communities into environmental efforts by linking them to proposed
environmental strategies impacting their communities
3. Environmental Partnerships at Work
Regional Environmental Priorities Project (REPP) –DEBLAR served on the
REPP technical advisory committee for Case Western Reserve University’s Center
for the Environment. As a member of the committee, DEBLAR provided analysis
and evaluation support. The work resulted in engaging communities to participate
in public debate on environmental issues and solutions and reaching common
ground on the most urgent regional environmental problems impacting their
communities.
Comparative Risk Project - Working in partnership with stakeholders across
Ohio, DEBLAR provided leadership as chair of the Quality of Life Committee for
the Ohio EPA Comparative Risk Project. The effort entailed collecting data from
conservation organizations, health agencies, public service groups, and
environmental interest groups around the state. The compilation of data was
interpreted and translated into a report to decision makers summarizing quality of
life stressors focused on “sense of place, green space, the built environment, and
peace of mind.”
Quality Growth Resource Teams - Carroll County and Tybee Island, Georgia
Provided technical assistance to Department of Community Affairs in reconciling
community and environmental planning issues with those agencies responsible for
regional planning and protecting the environment; and community stakeholders to
address planning and growth challenges and develop a shared community vision.
4. The Challenge
The challenge of managing environmental issues impacting quality of life is a
daunting task for far too many communities.
The involvement of community stakeholders in a collaborative partnership is a
critical first step to managing the challenge of environmental issues.
Community stakeholders must be made aware of the impact of environmental
matters on education, housing, public health, transportation, economic
development, and other facets of life to address these matters in their
communities.
5. Environmental & Economic Linkages
Linkages between economic development and the environment are
important to community leadership when addressing sustainability.
Community sustainability requires new
community-based approaches to
environmental protection and economic
development and DEBLAR has the capacity to
develop initiatives to address factors
associated with growth stressors and
perceived environmental risks.
6. Issues DEBLAR has Addressed with
Community Health Partnerships
Outdoor Air Pollution - Problems with breathing, eye irritation, cancer, and allergies from air
pollution. Many community residents reported life style changes stemming from poor air quality
having to spend a great deal of time indoors and inactivity.
Drinking Water - Health risks such as cancer, liver problems, mental dysfunction,
gastrointestinal disorders resulting from contaminated water sources.
Pesticides on Food - Fear from not knowing if what they are eating would either make them
sick or shorten life represented a major concern for citizens. This limited the amount of fresh
fruit and vegetables consumed.
Contaminated Soils - Soil contamination from a number of causes, including the dumping of
hazardous substances, pesticide and fertilizer use, and industrial or chemical processes.
Lack of Information on Environmental Health Effects - Residents and healthcare
professionals perceived that if a problem is not known to exist then there is no action to be
taken. This lack of information delayed diagnosis and increased health risks.
7. Why DEBLAR & Associates?
Since 1994, DEBLAR’s professional team has equipped communities,
agencies, hospitals, and organizations to achieve their environmental
objectives by
coordinating meetings with local officials and citizen groups.
conducting community needs assessments and surveys.
facilitating focus groups, organizing seminars, and curriculum
development
teaching how to organize sustainable partnerships.
empowering community groups with tools to analyze
environmental and economic growth issues .
providing guidance for organizations’ fund development needs.
building organizational capacity.
8. DEBLAR’S CONVICTION
For communities to address their environmental issues, they
must first become informed and empowered with the requisite
skills and tools to know what they don’t know.
DEBLAR embraces and respects the cultures and
characteristics unique to the communities it serves when
structuring community partnerships to promote sustainable
communities.
9. How to Contact DEBLAR & Associates, Inc.
• Post Office Box 723214
Atlanta, Georgia 31139
• (770) 319-8189 phone
• E mail,
info@deblarassoc.com
• Web Site
www.deblarassoc.com
9/4/2012 DEBLAR & ASSOCIATES, INC.
