Needs Assessment ASSIGN
- 1. Felicity Phillips ALEX SMITH | MARCH 29, 2015 Needs Assessment RECREATION PROGRAMMING
- 2. Contents Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2 Community Profile..............................................................................................................................2 Why Complete a Needs Assessment?...................................................................................................2 To Develop Long and Short Range Goals...........................................................................................3 To Help Define & Solve Problems.....................................................................................................3 To Help Decision Makers and Planners Set Priorities.........................................................................4 To Prove You Know What You Are Doing..........................................................................................4 To Surface Public Opinion................................................................................................................5 To Develop Community Action and Stimulation Support...................................................................5 The Purpose of the Research...............................................................................................................5 What Information Needs to Be Selected ..............................................................................................6 Creating a Research Plan.................................................................................................................6 Research Method...............................................................................................................................8 Presenting the Results........................................................................................................................9 Utilizing Technology............................................................................................................................9 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................10 References.......................................................................................................................................11
- 3. Introduction A needsassessmentisacritical componenttorecreationprogramminginanysetting.Currently, a town calledCraigmont isstrugglingwithmanydifferentsituationsinrelationtotheirrecreation.Inthis needsassessment,the readerisgoingtofindouthow Craigmontcan complete aneedsassessmentfor an AdultDay Program.The readerwill findacommunityprofile,whycomplete aneedsassessmentand the purpose of research.Furthermore,the readerwill alsolearnwhatinformationneedstobe selected, selectingaresearchmethodandpresentingthe research.Lastly,the readerwilldiscoverhow technologycanbe utilized inaneedsassessment. Community Profile Craigmontisa communitylocatedwithin20KM of a major Canadiancity.Itsmany community recreationresourcesserve theirpopulationof 55 000. Currently,the populationisgrowingdue tothe agingpopulationand youngfamiliescommutingintothe city.Craigmontcurrentlyhasamunicipal recreationcentre,aYMCA, five fitnessclubs,aBoys& Girls Club,three retirementhomes,one long- termcare facility,anoutdoorrecreationcentre,andtwohockeyrinks. As the populationagesinCraigmont,the Social PlanningCouncil believesthatthere isaneedfor an AdultDay Programin theircommunity.AnAdultDayProgramisa respite-baseddayprogramthat servesthe social andrecreational needsof individualswithvariousdiseasesrelatedtoaging,including dementia(CommunityCare AccessCentre,n.d.).InCraigmont,manyindividualscouldbenefitfromthis, especiallyasthere are onlythree retirementhomesandone longtermcare facility. Why Complete a Needs Assessment? A needsassessmentiscompletedformanyreasons.Inthe text, Enjoying Research,they highlightthese multiplereasons.Thesereasonsinclude:
- 4. To developlongandshortrange goals To helpdefine andsolve problems To helpdecisionmakersandplannerssetpriorities To prove youknowwhat youare doing To surface publicopinion To developcommunitysupportandstimulateaction In thissectionof the report,the readerwill learnhow the Social PlanningCouncil inCraigmontcan put inplace these goals. To Develop Long and Short Range Goals The authors of Enjoying Research explainthatinorderfora needsassessmenttobe successful, the organizationorcommittee implementingthe researchneedtohave an understandingof the target populationsinthe community,financial opportunitiesandcosts.Additionally,researcherswill needto knowthe optionof alternative programs (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). The Social PlanningCouncil inCraigmontcanutilize thisinformationinordertohave an appropriate understandingof the agingpopulationof Craigmont.Althoughthistopicwillbe discussed more in depthinthe researchmethodssection,asuggestionforthiscouldbe to utilize the local CommunityCare AccessCentre andtheirclientstatisticsforthisarea. To Help Define & Solve Problems Abbey-Livingston&Abbeyexplainthatthe researchmethodsutilizedcanassistindefininga currentproblem.If the problemisalreadydefined, completinganeedsassessmentcanallow foran appropriate solutiontothe problem(1982). In Craigmont,itcouldbe of belieffromsome thatthere isa lackof supportfor seniors.Withthe populationsittingat55 000 andan aging population,threeretirementhomesandone long-termcare
- 5. facilitymaynotbe enough.In2011, approximately14.4% of Canadianswere overthe age of 65 (EmploymentandSocial DevelopmentCanada,2015). If one was to do the math that wouldmeanthere isabout 6 755 seniorsinCraigmont.Unfortunately,there isnotnearlyenoughsupportinresidential servicesforseniorsinthiscommunity.Therefore,the Social PlanningCouncil wouldthenbe able to developsolutionsforthiscurrentproblem. To Help Decision Makers and Planners Set Priorities Enjoying Research explainsthatoftenthere isnotenoughfundingforeveryprogramand therefore,decisionmakersneedtosetpriorities (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). In the currentsituationthatCraigmontisin with6 755 seniorsand4 residentialcare facilities, thisshouldbecome ahighpriority.Otherprojects,suchas waitlistsat the recreationcentre and increasingthe hoursat the hockeyrink,couldpotentiallybe putonhold. To Prove You Know What You Are Doing The document, Enjoying Research,definesthisas: “Needs-assessmentresearchcanprovide the backgroundforaccountability.The publicand fundingagencieswant toknowthatyour budgetswere prepared basedonrealisticcostsand that expenditureshave beenmonitored.Thisis financialaccountability.Atapsychological level, youare alsoaccountable to show thatyour planshave beencarefullyconsideredandrelatedto the needsof those whowill be servedbythose plans. Sometimeswhenchangesoccurin organizations,the staff doesnotknow why. Theywonderwhetherthe changes are basedon informationorwhim.Doinganeedsassessment,andreportingthe results tothose concerned can demonstrate yourideas,forplanning”(Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982, p. 9). For the Social PlanningCouncil tosuccessfullycomplete the appropriateneedsassessmentsto addressthe needof an ADPin Craigmont,theywill needtoprovide strongaccountabilitytopresentto the mayor and membersof the community.If theyare notsuccessful inprovidingthe evidence-based facts,as well asfinancial statements,thentheymaynotbe able tohave enoughsupportto create a day program.This wouldresultinmanyseniorsnotreceivingservicesthattheyneed,orbeingrequiredto leave theircommunitytoreceiveappropriatesupport.
- 6. To Surface Public Opinion It isimportantto raise awarenessforsupportsin the communitytopromote social change (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). InCraigmont,there isa definite lackof supportsforthe aging community.If the Social PlanningCouncilwassuccessfulatutilizingtheirresourcesto developaday program,thiscouldalso promote the future developmentof more retirementhomesandlong-term care facilities. To Develop Community Action and Stimulation Support “Organizationscanuse specificneeds-assessmentmethods:(a) tofindoutwhatpeople want and (b) to involve themintakingactiontogetwhattheywant” (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982, p. 11). Throughoutfurtherresearchanddiscussionof thistopic,the Social PlanningCouncil will be able to determine whatthe residentsof Craigmontwouldlikeforfurthercommunitysupports.Once the researchiscompleted,itmaypresentthatseniorsdofindenoughsupport,orthattheywouldratherthe supportbe in personal supportorresidential care. The Purpose of the Research Thispart of the needsassessmentlooksatwhowill be reviewingthe researchanddetermines keydecisionmakersforthe remainderof the process (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982).The twosteps involvedinthiscomponentof the needsassessmentisidentifyingthe purpose forresearchandrefine the purpose withappropriate people. Withidentifyingthe purpose forresearch,theyneedtoanalyze some topicsbefore the research isable to begin.These topicsinclude: Who isaskingfor the researchandwhy wouldtheylike ittobe completed? (Abbey-Livingston& Abbey,1982) By whomwill the researchbe used? (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982)
- 7. Who else couldbe affectedbythe research? (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982) In Craigmont,the researchisbeingaskedforandutilizedbythe Social PlanningCouncil, however,will be accessible formembersof theircommunitytoreview.Additionally,theyneedto reviewwhomcouldbe impactedbythisresearch.Inthistown,orany reviewingdayprograms,the aging population,theirfamiliesandhealthcare providerscouldbe impactedbysuchresearch.Thisisdue to the awarenesstothe subjectandthe potential surveyingrequiredtofindthe appropriate actionsthat needtobe taken. The secondpart of identifythe purposeistorefine the purpose withappropriate people.This steplooksat whatthe currentcommunitylookslike,whatpeople are lookingforandwhat alternatives are available.InCraigmont,the decision-makerscanreview the researchinformationcompiledforthe retirementhomesandLTC.Throughappropriate surveying,the researcherscanalsoreview and implementquestioningthatpertainstowhere the agingcommunityof Craigmontcurrentlyisandwhere theywouldlike to go.For example,seniorsmaypreferadrop-inrecreationprogramcentre instead. Overall,thisisanimportantstepincompletinganeedsassessmentthatshouldbe assessed carefully. What Information Needs to Be Selected A needsassessmentlooksatmanydifferentthings.These include people’sattitudes, behaviours,feelings,beliefsandsocial characters;whichcanbe sortedand definedintoneedsand prefers (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). In Craigmont,the researchersneedtoanalyze this informationaswell aswhatpeople needandwhattheyprefer;thusallowingforanappropriate researchplan. Creating a Research Plan A researchplanmustcontainthe followingfoursteps:
- 8. Step One – Initial statementof one requirement Thisstepallowsforstrongerclarificationforthe statementthatyourresearchistryingto present(Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). In Craigmont,the Social PlanningCouncil candevelopa statementsuchas: “are there adequate resourcesforthe agingcommunityinCraigmont?” Step Two – IdentifyAlternatives Throughthisphase of developingaresearchplan,the researcherswill identifythe various meaningsorinterpretationsforthe wordsutilizedandlistvariouswaysthatthe researchcan be collected.Furthermore,the decisionmakerscanlistthe variouspeopleorsourcestheymaychoose to utilize forthisresearch.Lastly,the type of informationrequiredcanbe indicatedthroughthisstep (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982). InCraigmont,the decisionmakerscantake thisstepto define what an AdultDay Program,as well asthe servicesinwhichitprovides.Additionally,researcherscanidentify whomtheywantto target and howtheywantto ask them. Step Three – SelectAppropriateMethodsandMeanings In thisstep,researcherswillidentifywhatinformationisneeded,selectthe methodthatwill be utilizedandchoose howtheywillreceive the information (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey,1982).In Craigmont,the Social PlanningCouncilcanreview whatinformationtheyneed - the numberof people agingin theircommunity,the numberwhofeel there isalackof support,etc. Once theydiscoverthis information,theycanimplementaresearchmethodandmake a decision onhow to collectthe sources of information. Step Four – Final ResearchPlan In thisstep, researchers’ documentandrecordall resultsfromstepthree (Abbey-Livingston& Abbey,1982).
- 9. Research Method Whenselectingaresearchmethod,there are twotypesthatresearcherscanlookat – asking people forinformationandanalyzingpreviousdocumentedinformation (Abbey-Livingston&Abbey, 1982). Below,the readerwill findachartthat outlinesthe waysthatresearcherscanask for information;aswell asthe prosand consto both. Research Method Pros Cons Telephone Surveys Ensuresqualified respondent Abilitytoprobe Fast turnaroundtime Good response rate Distribution bias Use of answeringmachines and phone mail No absolute assurance of confidentiality Interviewerbias MailedQuestionnaires No interviewerbias Repeatable Oftengainsthoughtful answers Doesn’tensure qualified respondent Low response rate Inabilitytogainfurther detail/probe Poorturnaroundtime Face-to-Face Interviews Ensuresqualified respondent Abilitytoprobe Good response rate Respondentinvolvement Potential forextreme interviewerbias Expensive due totravel and othercosts Poorturnaround time FocusGroups Can include demonstrations Createsideasand brainstorming Can become veryexpensive Notstatisticallyvalid A groupleadermayappear and adverselyaffectoverall results Participantsmaynotattend Coachingfrominterviewers may occur (DJSResearchLtd.,n.d.) Whenselectingaresearchmethod,the decisionmakersneedtoassessthree things: 1. What resourcesare available? 2. What demandsdovariousresearchmethodshave? 3. If a surveyisto be done,whattype isbest?
- 10. Once these questionsare answered,thendecisionmakerscanlookat selectingthe researchsample. In Craigmont,decisionmakersmaybe bestfitusingtelephone surveys.Asthe populationthatthey wouldbe potentiallysurveyingisaging,theymaystruggle withmailedquestionnairesandallowing strangersintotheirhomesforface-to-face interviews.Anotherstrugglemaybe mobility,therefore,they wouldnotbe able to attendfocusgroups.Lastly,theirvisionmaybe impaired,therefore makingit difficultforamailedquestionnaire tobe completed. Presenting the Results In mypast experience,Ihave beenfortunateenoughtopresentthe resultsof aneeds assessment.Inmyexperience,mypeersandIcompletedamail questionnaire.Toseekthe results,we sat arounda table andindividuallytookpartof the sectionsandtracksthe results.Once thatstepwas completed,we were abletoanalyze the results.We thentookthe analyzedresultsandpresentedthem to our instructor. In Craigmont,decisionmakerscouldcomplete asimilarpathasI did,however,theycouldhosta groupof individuals,includingcouncil members,totheirpresentation.Thiswouldallow forkey communitymembersandpotential funders Utilizing Technology In thisdayand age,there are so manyoptionsfortechnologytobe utilized.Inthisspecific scenario,decisionmakerscanuse a program such as MicrosoftWord to developthe documentation requiredtodevelopanappropriate decision.Additionally,decisionmakerscoulduse MicrosoftExcel to track surveyresults.Lastly,researcherscouldutilize aprogram, suchas PowerPointtopresentresearch results.
- 11. In otherscenarios,suchas creatinga Boys& Girls Club,anonline surveycouldbe implemented. WebsitessuchasSurveyMonkeyprovide userswithatemplate toputinquestionsandadirectlinkto the survey.Once the surveyiscompleted,userscanseekresultsthatway.Ina situationlikeCraigmont, the linkcouldbe includedinaschool newslettertoreachout to parents.Whenthe researchinvolves seniors,aninternetsurveymaynotbe a liable source. Conclusion There are manycomponentsthatare requiredtocomplete aneedsassessment.The steps discussedwithinthisdocumentwill be able toguide communityrecreationprogrammershow to properlyguide theirwaythroughone.Hopefullycommunities,suchasCraigmont,will be able tobenefit fromthe opportunitiesthatneedsassessmentscanprovide them.
- 12. References Abbey-Livingston,D.,&Abbey,D.S.(1982). Enjoying Research. RetrievedfromLegislative Assemblyof Ontario:http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/4000/10004782.pdf CommunityCare AccessCentre.(n.d.). AdultDay Programs .RetrievedfromCentral EastCommunity Care AccessCentre:http://healthcareathome.ca/centraleast/en/Getting-Care/Getting- Supported-Living/Adult-Day-Programs DJS ResearchLtd.(n.d.). WhatAreThe Prosand Consof Data Collection Methods?Retrievedfrom Market ResearchWorld:http://www.marketresearchworld.net/content/view/2118/78/ EmploymentandSocial DevelopmentCanada.(2015). Canadiansin Context - Aging Population. RetrievedfromEmploymentandSocial DevelopmentCanada: http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=33