Needs Assessment:

In order to determine any type of project or course of action that should or could be taken to improve the health of the school, you need to spend some time asking people what is missing, what could be done better, or what could be added that would be helpful. That is one part of a needs assessment. A Needs Assessment is “the process of collecting and analyzing information to develop an understanding of the issues, resources and constraints of the priority population” (McKenzie, Pinger and Kotecki, 2008). The second part is accessing data and local information using the YRBSS.

How to Conduct a Needs Assessment

  • Identify sources of information and data.
  • Review existing literature on the specific problem. (YRBSS)
  • Survey other agencies/organizations in the community to avoid unnecessary overlap in program activities and to identify emerging issues and new resources.
  • Interview key informants and community members who have knowledge of or experience with the problem.
  • Consult with national/state agencies where specific data, literature, or experience are deficient.

Your job is to go through the school and identify important people to ask about the needs of this school for increasing health education. You have identified some programs that you think would be good. However, you need to do a larger-scale Needs Assessment to validate your program. You have already worked in groups considering Faculty/Staff, Students, and Community. Keeping those constituents in mind, collect ideas and information around the school today for possible programs, tools, equipment, etc. that could help with the health of those in and around the school.

Please introduce yourself and explain why you are asking the people questions. Then be sure to get their information! Identify them by name, position, and number of years they have been associated with the school or neighborhood.

  1. What do you think are the top 3 or 4 health concerns of the school and surrounding community?
  2. What are some programs, equipment or ideas you have that could positively impact the health of the school and the surrounding community?
  3. Who do you believe this would impact the most?
  4. What is the relative need for this in the community?
  5. What types of resources would be needed to create/purchase/implement it?
  6. Are there similar existing programs/equipment or ideas that are currently not functioning?

Please ask a minimum of three people from different facets of the school. Compile the results into a “needs assessment” list. Look up the local YRBSS data on something similar to your program and provide REAL data to defend the ideas listed. This needs to be turned in next week, compiled and typed.