Starting the Planning Process& Assessing Needs
HSC 489
Presentation Overview
Starting the Process
Convince decision-makers
Build a rationale
Create a committee
Assessing Needs
What’s a need?
Types of data
4 steps of the process
Plan: (verb) – to engage in a process/procedure to develop a method of achieving an end.
Different Reasons a Program Starts:
- an obvious need
- current successful program
Convince the Decision-MakersFor Resources $ staff facilities equipment supplies utilities time!
For Support acceptance policies visibility priority credibility
Build a rationale(Sources of info in building a rationale)
1. Needs assessment data
2. Epi data
3. Economic impact & cost effectiveness
4. Value/benefit of program to decision makers
5. Other successful programs
6. Comparison of proposed program w/ nation or state
Create a rationale sequence
Start global
Narrow to local
State problem
Describe solution Point out benefits State why successfulProvide references
A good planning committee helps!
OtherStakeholders
Community reps
“Doers”
InfluencersSponsoring agency
Good Leadership
ASolid
Committee
Needs assessment contributes to..
PROGRAMS
Program planning Program
implementation
Program evaluation Marketing
COMMUNITY
Policy development Assets mapping &
capacity-building Community coalition
development
Research
What’s a need?
Issue Choice Actual needs (service
needs) Perceived needs (service
demands)
Kinds of data primary secondary
Begin with open-ended questions
Involve community members
“Community-check” goals & assumptions
Frequently report progress/results
ForCommunityInvolvement
Needs Assessment Focus
Risk Factors:•Health•Environmental•Behavioral•Others
Capacities:•Resources & assets•Strengths•Potential
Conducting a Needs Assessment
Step 1: Determine purpose and scopeStep 2: Gather dataStep 3: Analyze dataStep 4: Identify data-linked factorsStep 5: Identify program focusStep 6: Validate prioritized needs