Extension > Family > Environmental Scan Project
Environmental Scan Project
In 2010, the Extension Center for Family Development launched an environmental scan project to learn more about the current and future issues affecting families in Minnesota. Interviews were conducted with "key informants" throughout the state.
We hope the reports contained on this web page will jump start discussions throughout the state about critical issues affecting families.
Regions in Minnesota
For the purpose of this environmental scan project, Minnesota was divided into 11 regions. An independent environmental scan was completed in each of these regions.
Click on a region on the map to see the related environmental scan report.
Summary
The themes that emerged from the Minnesota environmental scan cover a broad range of issues affecting families. At the time of our 273 interviews, families were impacted the most by:
- The economy
- Changing families and family life
- Media and technology
- Health and health care
- Educaton
- Immigration and cultural diversity
- Minnesota's youngest and oldest
The issues affecting Minnesota families are layered and complex. They call for integrated, collaborative approaches by organizations in order to foster changes that will better support families and help them thrive as they face today's challenges.
See our reports:
- Statewide Report (1.3 MB PDF)
- Summary (895 K PDF)
For more information on the environmental scans, contact Karen Shirer (shire008@umn.edu; 612-626-3971).
