Purpose Of A Community Needs Assessment

by Helene Norris

There are many different groups within communities that have to work together to help make sure that all residents have equal opportunities to access any assets and resources that are available. In order to find out exactly which resources are the most beneficial to residents, gathering information directly from them is usually the best way. Residents can provide valuable input about what is currently working, what may need changing, and what is not available but should be. The easiest way to do this is through a community needs assessment.

Talking directly to members of communities helps organizations gather important input and create a detailed plan of action based on set goals. Assessments are specifically designed to provide information about the resources available, or lack thereof. With this information, strategic planning can continue unhindered from this point. Once assessments are completed, a plan for creating and completing goals can be made.

Assessments can be done in numerous ways. One way is to hold focus groups. These are small groups of people that best represent everyone as a whole. Discussions are held with these people to gather information. Specific questions are asked to the group to encourage input on things, such as available resources and assets provided by other organizations.

Assessments can also be done through forums. A forum is a type of meeting where people come together on their own. They are usually scheduled in advance and provide residents with a means to voice their concerns and opinions regarding certain things within the communities. It can be difficult, however, to keep people on topic sometimes.

Other options for assessments are surveys. They can be completed in two common ways. One way is by sending multiple copies of the same questionnaires to members of the communities for them to answer and send back. You can also perform in-person interviews, similar to a census. There is not usually as much feedback with surveys as there is with other options.

There is not always a need to complete assessments, and to avoid wasting time and effort you should know when they are necessary. Generally, they are not needed if a previous one has been done recently. They are also not necessary if no extra information is required or if needs have already been confirmed. In these cases, residents can often feel as though you are avoiding taking action.

The next step in the process of strategic planning is trying to sort through all the results of the assessments. Make sure that you give priority to any input that has come from your target group, particularly if it is relevant to the goals you have set up. When sorting out information, pay attention to gaps and patterns that may be evident. With all your information, you can begin to create a plan of action that will help you meet goals.

A <A href="http://www.5thhouseconsulting.com">community needs assessment</A> can be a valuable tool for various organizations that seek to help make communities better for the residents. The assessments provide the most basic understanding of all the needs, strengths, and problems that residents have. Input helps these organizations create plans that benefit the communities the most.