Needs Assessment

Recreation ProgrammingFelicity Phillips |

ContentsIntroduction.................................................................................................................................................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

Introduction

A needs assessment is a critical component to recreation programming in any setting. Currently,

a town called Craigmont is struggling with many different situations in relation to their recreation. In this

needs assessment, the reader is going to find out how Craigmont can complete a needs assessment for

an Adult Day Program. The reader will find a community profile, why complete a needs assessment and

the purpose of research. Furthermore, the reader will also learn what information needs to be selected,

selecting a research method and presenting the research. Lastly, the reader will discover how

technology can be utilized in a needs assessment.

Community Profile

Craigmont is a community located within 20 KM of a major Canadian city. Its many community

recreation resources serve their population of 55 000. Currently, the population is growing due to the

aging population and young families commuting into the city. Craigmont currently has a municipal

recreation centre, a YMCA, five fitness clubs, a Boys & Girls Club, three retirement homes, one long-term

care facility, an outdoor recreation centre, and two hockey rinks.

As the population ages in Craigmont, the Social Planning Council believes that there is a need for

an Adult Day Program in their community. An Adult Day Program is a respite-based day program that

serves the social and recreational needs of individuals with various diseases related to aging, including

dementia (Community Care Access Centre, n.d.). In Craigmont, many individuals could benefit from this,

especially as there are only three retirement homes and one long term care facility.

Why Complete a Needs Assessment?

A needs assessment is completed for many reasons. In the text, Enjoying Research, they

highlight these multiple reasons. These reasons include:

To develop long and short range goals

To help define and solve problems

To help decision makers and planners set priorities

To prove you know what you are doing

To surface public opinion

To develop community support and stimulate action

In this section of the report, the reader will learn how the Social Planning Council in Craigmont can

put in place these goals.

To Develop Long and Short Range Goals

The authors of Enjoying Research explain that in order for a needs assessment to be successful,

the organization or committee implementing the research need to have an understanding of the target

populations in the community, financial opportunities and costs. Additionally, researchers will need to

know the option of alternative programs (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982).

The Social Planning Council in Craigmont can utilize this information in order to have an

appropriate understanding of the aging population of Craigmont. Although this topic will be discussed

more in depth in the research methods section, a suggestion for this could be to utilize the local

Community Care Access Centre and their client statistics for this area.

To Help Define & Solve Problems

Abbey-Livingston & Abbey explain that the research methods utilized can assist in defining a

current problem. If the problem is already defined, completing a needs assessment can allow for an

appropriate solution to the problem (1982).

In Craigmont, it could be of belief from some that there is a lack of support for seniors. With the

population sitting at 55 000 and an aging population, three retirement homes and one long-term care

facility may not be enough. In 2011, approximately 14.4% of Canadians were over the age of 65

(Employment and Social Development Canada, 2015). If one was to do the math that would mean there

is about 6 755 seniors in Craigmont. Unfortunately, there is not nearly enough support in residential

services for seniors in this community. Therefore, the Social Planning Council would then be able to

develop solutions for this current problem.

To Help Decision Makers and Planners Set Priorities

Enjoying Research explains that often there is not enough funding for every program and

therefore, decision makers need to set priorities (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982).

In the current situation that Craigmont is in with 6 755 seniors and 4 residential care facilities,

this should become a high priority. Other projects, such as wait lists at the recreation centre and

increasing the hours at the hockey rink, could potentially be put on hold.

To Prove You Know What You Are Doing

The document, Enjoying Research, defines this as:

“Needs-assessment research can provide the background for accountability. The public and funding agencies want to know that your budgets were prepared based on realistic costs and that expenditures have been monitored. This is financial accountability. At a psychological level, you are also accountable to show that your plans have been carefully considered and related to the needs of those who will be served by those plans. Sometimes when changes occur in organizations, the staff does not know why. They wonder whether the changes are based on information or whim. Doing a needs assessment, and reporting the results to those concerned can demonstrate your ideas, for planning” (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982, p. 9).For the Social Planning Council to successfully complete the appropriate needs assessments to

address the need of an ADP in Craigmont, they will need to provide strong accountability to present to

the mayor and members of the community. If they are not successful in providing the evidence-based

facts, as well as financial statements, then they may not be able to have enough support to create a day

program. This would result in many seniors not receiving services that they need, or being required to

leave their community to receive appropriate support.

To Surface Public Opinion

It is important to raise awareness for supports in the community to promote social change

(Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). In Craigmont, there is a definite lack of supports for the aging

community. If the Social Planning Council was successful at utilizing their resources to develop a day

program, this could also promote the future development of more retirement homes and long-term

care facilities.

To Develop Community Action and Stimulation Support

“Organizations can use specific needs-assessment methods: (a) to find out what people want

and (b) to involve them in taking action to get what they want” (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982, p. 11).

Throughout further research and discussion of this topic, the Social Planning Council will be able to

determine what the residents of Craigmont would like for further community supports. Once the

research is completed, it may present that seniors do find enough support, or that they would rather the

support be in personal support or residential care.

The Purpose of the Research

This part of the needs assessment looks at who will be reviewing the research and determines

key decision makers for the remainder of the process (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). The two steps

involved in this component of the needs assessment is identifying the purpose for research and refine

the purpose with appropriate people.

With identifying the purpose for research, they need to analyze some topics before the research

is able to begin. These topics include:

Who is asking for the research and why would they like it to be completed? (Abbey-Livingston &

Abbey, 1982)

By whom will the research be used? (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982)

Who else could be affected by the research? (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982)

In Craigmont, the research is being asked for and utilized by the Social Planning Council,

however, will be accessible for members of their community to review. Additionally, they need to

review whom could be impacted by this research. In this town, or any reviewing day programs, the aging

population, their families and healthcare providers could be impacted by such research. This is due to

the awareness to the subject and the potential surveying required to find the appropriate actions that

need to be taken.

The second part of identify the purpose is to refine the purpose with appropriate people. This

step looks at what the current community looks like, what people are looking for and what alternatives

are available. In Craigmont, the decision-makers can review the research information compiled for the

retirement homes and LTC. Through appropriate surveying, the researchers can also review and

implement questioning that pertains to where the aging community of Craigmont currently is and where

they would like to go. For example, seniors may prefer a drop-in recreation program centre instead.

Overall, this is an important step in completing a needs assessment that should be assessed

carefully.

What Information Needs to Be Selected

A needs assessment looks at many different things. These include people’s attitudes,

behaviours, feelings, beliefs and social characters; which can be sorted and defined into needs and

prefers (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). In Craigmont, the researchers need to analyze this

information as well as what people need and what they prefer; thus allowing for an appropriate

research plan.

Creating a Research Plan

A research plan must contain the following four steps:

Step One – Initial statement of one requirement

This step allows for stronger clarification for the statement that your research is trying to

present (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). In Craigmont, the Social Planning Council can develop a

statement such as: “are there adequate resources for the aging community in Craigmont?”

Step Two – Identify Alternatives

Through this phase of developing a research plan, the researchers will identify the various

meanings or interpretations for the words utilized and list various ways that the research can be

collected. Furthermore, the decision makers can list the various people or sources they may choose to

utilize for this research. Lastly, the type of information required can be indicated through this step

(Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). In Craigmont, the decision makers can take this step to define what

an Adult Day Program, as well as the services in which it provides. Additionally, researchers can identify

whom they want to target and how they want to ask them.

Step Three – Select Appropriate Methods and Meanings

In this step, researchers will identify what information is needed, select the method that will be

utilized and choose how they will receive the information (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey, 1982). In

Craigmont, the Social Planning Council can review what information they need - the number of people

aging in their community, the number who feel there is a lack of support, etc. Once they discover this

information, they can implement a research method and make a decision on how to collect the sources

of information.

Step Four – Final Research Plan

In this step, researchers’ document and record all results from step three (Abbey-Livingston &

Abbey, 1982).

Research Method

When selecting a research method, there are two types that researchers can look at – asking

people for information and analyzing previous documented information (Abbey-Livingston & Abbey,

1982). Below, the reader will find a chart that outlines the ways that researchers can ask for

information; as well as the pros and cons to both.

Research Method Pros ConsTelephone Surveys Ensures qualified

respondent Ability to probe Fast turnaround time Good response rate

Distribution bias Use of answering machines

and phone mail No absolute assurance of

confidentiality Interviewer bias

Mailed Questionnaires No interviewer bias Repeatable Often gains thoughtful

answers

Doesn’t ensure qualified respondent

Low response rate Inability to gain further

detail/probe Poor turnaround time

Face-to-Face Interviews Ensures qualified respondent

Ability to probe Good response rate Respondent involvement

Potential for extreme interviewer bias

Expensive due to travel and other costs

Poor turnaround timeFocus Groups Can include

demonstrations Creates ideas and

brainstorming

Can become very expensive Not statistically valid A group leader may appear

and adversely affect overall results

Participants may not attend Coaching from interviewers

may occur(DJS Research Ltd., n.d.)When selecting a research method, the decision makers need to assess three things:

1. What resources are available?

2. What demands do various research methods have?

3. If a survey is to be done, what type is best?

Once these questions are answered, then decision makers can look at selecting the research sample.

In Craigmont, decision makers may be best fit using telephone surveys. As the population that they

would be potentially surveying is aging, they may struggle with mailed questionnaires and allowing

strangers into their homes for face-to-face interviews. Another struggle may be mobility, therefore, they

would not be able to attend focus groups. Lastly, their vision may be impaired, therefore making it

difficult for a mailed questionnaire to be completed.

Presenting the Results

In my past experience, I have been fortunate enough to present the results of a needs

assessment. In my experience, my peers and I completed a mail questionnaire. To seek the results, we

sat around a table and individually took part of the sections and tracks the results. Once that step was

completed, we were able to analyze the results. We then took the analyzed results and presented them

to our instructor.

In Craigmont, decision makers could complete a similar path as I did, however, they could host a

group of individuals, including council members, to their presentation. This would allow for key

community members and potential funders

Utilizing Technology

In this day and age, there are so many options for technology to be utilized. In this specific

scenario, decision makers can use a program such as Microsoft Word to develop the documentation

required to develop an appropriate decision. Additionally, decision makers could use Microsoft Excel to

track survey results. Lastly, researchers could utilize a program, such as PowerPoint to present research

results.

In other scenarios, such as creating a Boys & Girls Club, an online survey could be implemented.

Websites such as Survey Monkey provide users with a template to put in questions and a direct link to

the survey. Once the survey is completed, users can seek results that way. In a situation like Craigmont,

the link could be included in a school newsletter to reach out to parents. When the research involves

seniors, an internet survey may not be a liable source.

Conclusion

There are many components that are required to complete a needs assessment. The steps

discussed within this document will be able to guide community recreation programmers how to

properly guide their way through one. Hopefully communities, such as Craigmont, will be able to benefit

from the opportunities that needs assessments can provide them.

ReferencesAbbey-Livingston, D., & Abbey, D. S. (1982). Enjoying Research. Retrieved from Legislative Assembly of

Ontario: http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/4000/10004782.pdf

Community Care Access Centre. (n.d.). Adult Day Programs . Retrieved from Central East Community Care Access Centre: http://healthcareathome.ca/centraleast/en/Getting-Care/Getting-Supported-Living/Adult-Day-Programs

DJS Research Ltd. (n.d.). What Are The Pros and Cons of Data Collection Methods? Retrieved from Market Research World: http://www.marketresearchworld.net/content/view/2118/78/

Employment and Social Development Canada. (2015). Canadians in Context - Aging Population. Retrieved from Employment and Social Development Canada: http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=33