Learn about a hands-on tool that engages stakeholders in creating a comprehensive inventory of assets and areas of need. Two evaluators from the Improve Group will demonstrate the community mapping process they developed to help local practitioners assess health assets and needs in Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan Counties. This work was done for a broader health needs assessment funded by Minnesota's Statewide Health Improvement Program. Stakeholders used icons to map the depth, connectedness, and gaps in resources in their rural communities. Findings were used to identify activities that were most effective in addressing the problems of obesity and tobacco use. This session will address what materials and resources are needed, which stakeholders should participate, what can be measured using this tool, how its findings can be used to inform a broader needs assessment, and how this process can be adapted and applied to other contexts. #2011Conference #HealthEvaluation #Communitymapping #Instruments