Source: Department of Social Services, Chesapeake, 2013.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.
Note: Client demographic data was obtained from the Virginia Department of Social Services(VDSS) Data
Warehouse Data Bank Report(on-line) and compiled via zip code by Chesapeake Department of Social
Services(CDSS).
Youth Opportunity Score
- A measure of the potential opportunities for youth to get involved
in extra-curricular activities within the NSA.
“Opportunities” were defined as locations within the community that offered programs and
activities for youth up to age 18. Locations included YMCA/YWCAs, churches, schools,
recreation centers, community centers and libraries. Opportunity locations were scored as
follows:
Churches
–Because churches provide services beyond their NSA’s boundaries, each church was
buffered by a ¼-mile ring that was considered to be a reasonable walking distance for youth to
utilize the services offered by the church. Each church was given a score of 1, which was a
minimal score that identified the church as a potential activity center. Each residential unit
captured by the buffer zone was given a score of 1.
Schools
–Schools were given a score of 1. Because these schools provided services beyond their
NSA’s boundaries, each school was buffered by a ¼-mile ring that was considered to be a
reasonable walking distance for youth to utilize the services offered by the school. Each
residential unit captured by the buffer zone was assigned a score of based on the programs
provided by the adjacent school.
Recreation Centers, Community Centers and YMCAs
–Because these centers provide services
beyond their NSA’s boundaries, each center was buffered by a ¼-mile ring that was considered
to be a reasonable walking distance for youth to utilize the services offered by the center. Each
center was given a score of 3, which was assigned to every residential unit within the buffer
zone.
Libraries
–Libraries were scored using the same methodology as the Centers except that a library
was given a score of 2, indicating that it potentially offered greater services than a church but
fewer than Recreation Centers, Community Centers or YWCA/YMCAs. Each residential unit
that fell in the buffer zone was assigned a score of 2.
Each residential unit within an NSA had the potential of receiving a composite score ranging
from 0 to 7. The average score for each NSA was calculated based on the youth opportunity
score for each residential unit. A reverse Z score was calculated for this variable to prioritize
NSAs with lower youth opportunity scores.
Sources: Google Maps, 2013.
Information Technology, 2013.
Real Estate Assessor, Chesapeake, 2012.
November 2014
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