Course Description

This interactive training will equip nonprofit social work staff with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to conduct effective program-focused needs assessments.

Participants will learn how to systematically identify and analyze community needs, gather relevant data, engage stakeholders, and utilize findings to inform program development, resource allocation, and enhance service delivery. The training will emphasize a strengths-based, culturally sensitive approach to needs assessment, aligning with core social work values.

Learning Objectives

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define and differentiate between various types of needs assessments, with a specific focus on program-focused needs assessments in the nonprofit social work context.
2. Identify and apply key steps in the needs assessment process, including defining scope, identifying target populations, and developing assessment questions.
3. Select appropriate data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, secondary data analysis) for diverse populations and program needs; understand how to interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
4. Engage diverse stakeholders (e.g., clients, community members, partners, funders) meaningfully throughout the needs assessment process.
5. Develop actionable recommendations based on needs assessment findings to inform program design, modifications, and advocacy efforts.