Social Workers Often Identify Client Problems That Suggest V

Social Workers Often Identify Client Problems That Suggest The Need Fo

Social workers often identify client problems that suggest the need for a new or more focused service. Rather than bemoaning the lack of resources, many social workers consider creating new services in the future. They might next imagine what an appropriate service or program would look like. This week, you generate a needs assessment plan for a program that meets an unmet need for your choice. To prepare for this Discussion, review the examples of needs assessments presented in both of the readings. Consider the elements of a needs assessment plan that you must include. By Day 3 Post a needs assessment plan for a potential program of your choice that meets a currently unmet need. Describe the unmet need and how current information supports your position that a needs assessment is warranted. Identify the sources of information that you might use when conducting a needs assessment, including potential informants. Explain who among these potential informants would be valuable resources and why. Identify steps for obtaining credible, unbiased information. Be sure to cite course resources or other resources, such as those in the Walden Library, related to both the program idea and to approaches to needs assessments. Reading (google books-free) Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books. (for review) Chapter 6, “Needs Assessment” (pp. 107–142) Chapter 7, “Crafting Goals and Objectives” (pp. 144–164)

Paper For Above instruction

Identifying unmet needs within communities is a fundamental aspect of effective social work practice that paves the way for targeted and impactful intervention programs. A well-conducted needs assessment helps in understanding the severity, scope, and root causes of these gaps, guiding the development of programs that are both relevant and sustainable. For this analysis, I propose a needs assessment plan aimed at establishing a mental health support program specifically designed for young adults aged 18-25 living in underserved urban neighborhoods—an area where existing mental health services are insufficient to meet the growing demand.

The unmet need centers around the rising incidence of mental health issues among young adults, compounded by barriers such as financial constraints, stigma, and lack of accessible services. According to recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2022), approximately 25% of young adults report experiencing mental health conditions, yet many do not seek or receive adequate support. Current information from local health departments and community surveys indicates a significant service gap, emphasizing the urgency of a dedicated mental health intervention tailored to this demographic. Establishing a comprehensive needs assessment is therefore warranted to ensure that the proposed program aligns with actual community needs, preferences, and barriers.

Sources of information for the needs assessment include quantitative data from health records, surveys, and epidemiological studies. Qualitative data could be obtained through focus groups, interviews, and community discussions involving potential informants like young adults, family members, school counselors, primary healthcare providers, and local mental health agencies. Among these, young adults and mental health professionals would be especially valuable because they provide firsthand insights into barriers to access, cultural considerations, and service preferences. Engaging these informants allows for a nuanced understanding of the community’s needs and helps tailor the program appropriately.

To ensure credibility and minimize biases, the data collection process must adhere to established research principles. This includes using a diverse and representative sample of informants, employing validated survey instruments, conducting systematic reviews of existing data, and cross-verifying findings across multiple sources. Triangulation—using multiple data sources, methods, and informants—is essential to enhance the reliability of findings (Dudley, 2014). Additionally, transparency in methodology and peer review of findings further bolster credibility. Regular consultation with community stakeholders throughout the assessment process helps ensure that the data accurately reflects community realities and mitigates potential biases from individual perspectives.

In summary, a comprehensive needs assessment for a youth mental health program involves collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from diverse sources, consulting key informants, and applying rigorous methods to ensure credibility. This process not only substantiates the need for intervention but also informs the program’s goals, objectives, and implementation strategies, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable community support systems.

References

• Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.). Lyceum Books.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
• World Health Organization. (2021). Adolescent mental health. WHO Publications.
• Craig, C. D., & Emery, R. E. (2014). Interventions for adolescent mental health: A review. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(4), 579–596.
• Weiss, R. S. (2020). Learning from strangers: The art and method of qualitative interview studies. The Free Press.
• Frechtling, J., & Sharp, L. (2018). The ISSA framework for program evaluation. Program Evaluation and Human Services.
• Green, M. A., & Thorogood, N. (2018). Qualitative methods for health research. Sage Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage Publications.
• Boeije, H. (2010). Analysis in qualitative research. Sage Publications.
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Studies on mental health in young adults. NIMH Publications.