One of the many reasons social workers conduct needs assessment is to provide support for new programs. Social workers have many methods available to collect necessary data for a needs assessment.
Social workers can use existing data from a wide range of sources, including local and national reports by government and nonprofit agencies, as well as computerized mapping resources. Social workers can gather new data through interviews and surveys with individuals and focus groups. This data can provide the evidence that supports the need for the program.
Also, review the logic models that you created last week and any literature on the needs of caregivers that you used to generate them. Consider the following to stimulate your thinking:
- Getting information about the needs of the target population:
- Who would informants be?
- What is your purpose for interacting with them?
- What questions would you ask?
- What method would you use (interview, focus group, questionnaire)?
- Finding potential clients:
- Who would informants be?
- What is your purpose for interacting with them?
- What questions would you ask?
- What method would you use?
- Interacting with the target population:
- Who would informants be?
- What is your purpose for interacting with them?
- What questions would you ask?
- What method would you use?
2- to 3-page hypothetical needs assessment related to the support group program for caregivers. Include
- The resources needed to operate this service
- The program activities
- The desired outcomes
- A plan for gathering information about the population served
- Justifications for your plans and decisions
- A one-paragraph conclusion describing how you might conduct a follow-up to the needs assessment at the implementation stage of the program evaluation
