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.
