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Learn the importance of community assessments, how to conduct needs-based assessments, and utilize assessment tools to identify resources and needs within a community. Discover the value of engaging stakeholders and analyzing data for effective planning.
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Understanding your Community Needs and Resource Assessments Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Learning Objectives : • To understand the value of conducting community assessments • To learn how to conduct a needs-based and strength-based assessment • To practice using assessment tools Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Opening Discussion: What have your experiences been with needs and resources assessments? Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Needs & Resources Assessment • What are the needs and conditions that must be addressed in your community to prevent problem behaviors? • What assets does your community have in place already to prevent the problem behaviors? Primary Prevention Institute 2015
What is a Needs and Resources Assessment? • A systematic process of gathering and critically interpreting information (data) about a particular health or social problem, and the resources available to address that problem, within a defined community. Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Why is it important? • We can ensure that we are actually addressing the community’s needs, not just what we think the needs are • Community members are engaged in the process and are therefore more willing to work on the issue because they are guiding the process • All stakeholders develop a shared understanding of community needs and resources • Needs and resources assessments are the foundation for planning Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Identifying a problem • We are going to focus on Texting and Driving • Which social issue/problem will you address in your program? Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Defining Community Who is in your community? • Who are your stakeholders? • Who are you collecting information from? • Who needs to be involved in collecting and analyzing data? • What are their roles? Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Tools for Assessment Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Resources and asset mapping • Asset maps are used to identify the strengths, skills, capabilities, and talents that a community can use to create beneficial changes. Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Types of Assets Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Existing Data • RI DataHUB • Census • Kids Count • Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) • Survey Works (SALT) data • State Departments of Education, Health • Your organization’s existing data • Other organization’s needs assessments • Data from local, state, or national studies • http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/ Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Common Methods for Collecting New Data: • Surveys • Key Informant Interviews • Focus Groups • Community Meetings/Forums • Environmental Scans Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Surveys • Determine goal of survey • Select a sample • Find or write the questions Open-ended • Test the survey • Administer the survey • Analyze the data • Share & use the results Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Key Informant Interviews Structured conversations with formal and/or informal leaders in a community • Define the purpose of the interview(s) • Identify potential key informants • Generate the questions • Identify interviewer • Conduct the interviews • Interpret and report the results Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Focus Groups • A group of 6-8 people selected for their particular demographic, skills, experience, views, or position are asked a series of questions about a topic or issue to gather their opinions. • Group interaction is used to obtain detailed information about a particular issue. • Steps are similar to those used for key informant interviews Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Community Meeting/Forum • A public meeting is a larger setting that encourages community members to discuss community needs, prioritize needs, and steps to address the priority needs. Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Environmental Scans • Media & advertising scan • Policy scans • Community conditions scan • DISCUSS Environmental SCAN for Texting & Driving Primary Prevention Institute 2015
Once you collected the data… • USE it! • Share the information with staff • Share the information with the community Primary Prevention Institute 2015