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Community Needs Assessment
A community needs assessment identifies the strengths and resources available in the community to meet the needs of children, youth, and families. The assessment focuses on the capabilities of the community, including its citizens, agencies, and organizations. It provides a framework for developing and identifying services and solutions and building communities that support and nurture children and families.
A community assessment may be limited to a compilation of demographic data from census records, results of surveys conducted by others, and informal feedback from community partners. Or, assessments may be expanded to include focus group discussions, town meetings, interviews with stakeholders, and telephone or mailed surveys to partnership members and the community.
Listening to the People: Designing and Implementing a Community-Led Needs Assessment
Harper, Echohawk, Bigpond, Iron Cloud-Koenen, & Spotted Eagle
Protecting Children, 17(2), 2002
View Abstract
Describes the four stages of the community assessment process and provides an example of its use in three American Indian communities.
Assessing Community Needs and Resources
University of Kansas Community Tool Box
Focuses on community assessment for health promotion programs.
Beyond Risk: Improving Assessments to Keep People Safer (MS Word - 135 KB)
Kinney, Vaughn, & Strand (2000)
Encourages child welfare agencies to consult community members when identifying strengths and needs of neighborhoods and families. Includes brief screening measures.
Building Communities From the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets
Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University (1993)
A step-by-step introduction to a coherent strategy gleaned from neighborhood leaders.
Community Stakeholder Involvement in the Child and Family Services Review: Opportunities, Challenges, Recommendations
Zalenski
Protecting Children, 17(2), 2002
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Discusses how to involve community stakeholders in the Child and Family Services Review process, to develop a culture of shared responsibility for child outcomes and increase community awareness of program improvement activities.
Early Childhood Needs and Resources Community Assessment Tool (PDF - 56 KB)
National League of Cities
Designed to help city officials and other community leaders gain a better understanding of how young children and their families are faring and where assistance is needed.
Guide to Evaluating Asset-Based Community Development: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities
Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University (1997)
Written primarily for community-building practitioners from the point of view of an experienced evaluator, this guide is also for funders and others who would like to be helpful to community builders.
Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth
Search Institute
This initiative seeks to motivate and equip individuals, organizations, and their leaders to join together in nurturing competent, caring, and responsible children and adolescents.
Measuring Strengths in Community Collaboratives (PDF - 343 KB)
National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice
Prevention Report, 2004
Discusses the advantages of using social network analysis (SNA) to measure strengths in community collaboration.
New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Concepts, Methods, and Contexts
Connell, Kubisch, Schorr, & Weiss (Eds.) (1995)
View Abstract
Methods and issues in evaluating comprehensive community initiatives, community development programs that promote positive change in individual, family, and community circumstances in disadvantaged neighborhoods by improving physical, economic, and social conditions.