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What do you know about a situational analysis?

Situational Analysis

An examination of a social problem, the population impacted, and the effectiveness of programs or interventions that are used to address it.

Situational Analysis

• evidence-informed overview of the context of the intervention being evaluated

• informs the next steps in evaluation

Situational Analysis•An organizing framework that can be used for a variety of purposes:• Clarify an issue• Bring attention to an issue• Identify unmet or under met needs• A planning tool to determine where to go next

CONDUCTING A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

1. What is the social problem?

2. What is the need?

3. What interventions are currently addressing the need?

4. What is the current state of the evidence for the intervention(s)?

RANDOMIZED CONTROL GROUP(RCT)CASE STUDIESFOCUS GROUPS

Strength of the Evidence

Problems finding literature?

An Organizing Framework

Interventions

Social Need

Social Problem

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date?

What interventions currently exist?

What is the current state of evidence & effectiveness?

What are the desired outcomes?

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impactedCharacteristics of the population impacted

Social costs to the individual/society Explanations (i.e. theories)

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileDefinition of the problem Trends (national, regional,

local) Scope of the problem

Why do we care about the distinction?•Don’t jump to the solution! (even if everyone else does)• You are looking at the needs of a population and/or issue … NOT the need for a intervention

Spine3D and Alonzo Mourning Charities Unveil a Vision of a New Community Center for At-Risk Youth

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/07/prweb540985.htm

Caution: The solution is not the need

•Don’t jump to the solution! (even if everyone else does)• You are looking at the needs of a population and/or issue … NOT the intervention

The problem is _________.

The need arising from this problem is _________.

The current state of interventions to address this need is ____.

You need to clarify …

Need to reduce programmingNeed to keep DARE

Social Problem

Need

Current state of interventions

Situational Analysis– Getting Started

1. Clarify social problem and what you want to find out about it

(What questions do you want answered?)

Situational Analysis– Getting Started

2. Clarify the social need arising from the problem and the population that is impacted

(What questions do you want answered?)

Situational Analysis– Getting Started

3. Clarify who your stakeholders are and make contact

(What questions do you want them to answer?)

The following examples are intended to illustrate the difference between concepts. The statements have not been personally verified by a review of the evidence. Students are expected to have empirically supported statements in their products. Some of the examples are from current student efforts.

Examples

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date? Or what intervention(s) are being proposed?

Social media campaign to raise awareness Parent training program

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impactedAs opposed to young women with eating disorders, this population tends to have a childhood history of weight issues and have experienced bullying due to their weight. Additionally, there is a lack of societal awareness or acceptance of this problem (i.e. people often say “oh, teenage boys tend to eat a lot anyway … not recognizing bingeing behavior). There are very few treatment programs specifically for young men.

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileThere has been a steady increase in the number of males ages 9-18 who are diagnosed with eating disorders. (This statement would then be supported by the actual numbers and data that describe the demographics of this population and the scope of the problem).

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date? Or what intervention(s) are being proposed?

Training module infused into social work courses to increase student knowledge and skills to identify and respond to problems associated with compassion fatigue.

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impactedAccording to the Professional Quality of Life framework, the social workers are experiencing decreased compassion satisfaction and increased compassion fatigue. They often do not have awareness to recognize and/or respond to the problem. Also, organizations do not typically have formalized policies for managing this workplace problem. There is a need for social work students to be better prepared to identify and respond to the problem.

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileThere is a high turnover rate for social workers who are employed in human service settings. (This statement would then be supported by the actual numbers and data that describe the demographics of this population and the scope of the problem).

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date? Or what intervention(s) are being proposed?

Anger Management Group

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impactedStudents who are experiencing stress, strain, or social problems lack the skills necessary to resolve the problems. Over time, students will act out with anger toward peers, university personnel, and/or loved ones. Those outbursts have resulted in disciplinary sanctions and/or legal problems for the students

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileThere has been a steady increase in the rate of violence reported among campus dormitories and at campus events. (This statement would then be supported by the actual numbers and data that describe the demographics of this population and the scope of the problem).

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date? Or what intervention(s) are being proposed?

Specialized units within service systems (juvenile services, child welfare) Medical intervention program

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impactedThe community of Reno hosts many weekend events such as Hot August Nights and Street Vibrations which attract a large population of visitors to the area. This has created a market for underage sex trafficking. Additionally, there are few resources to help the victims and a need for increased collaboration among multiple service systems (justice, child welfare, medical).

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileThere has been a steady increase in the number of females ages 10-18 who are arrested for prostitution and/or rescued from a situation in which they are being trafficked for the sex trade. (This statement would then be supported by the actual numbers and data that describe the demographics of this population and the scope of the problem).

Interventions: How has the social problem been addressed to date? Or what intervention(s) are being proposed?

Social media campaign to raise awareness Parent training program

Social Need: Arises from the social problem, concerns population impacted

Literature suggests that engagement (encompassing buy-in, trust, and relationships) is critical) to treatment success

Social Problem: A Statistical ProfileVeterans and mental health services – there is a long waiting list to receive an in-depth assessment and then begin treatment. It is difficult for a Veteran to remain engaged with the agency during the waiting period between assessment and treatment. (This statement would then be supported by the actual numbers and data that describe the demographics of this population and the scope of the problem).

STUDENT ARTICLES ON A SOCIAL PROBLEM