Maps are often included in the community assessment because they are helpful in presenting complex data in a way that can be easily understood. Population patterns, for example, can be displayed on maps of the service and recruitment areas. By showing the location of Head Start centers on maps, information about eligible families and their access to programs can be presented visually along with the explanatory text.

Maps need to be clear, with readable symbols, shading, and legends to differentiate items. Maps most often include features such as:

• Service area boundaries
• Recruitment areas
• Locations of existing Head Start centers, including those under construction, and family child care homes with the funded enrollment of each site
• Locations of other child development programs in the service area