Summary
Not all needs assessments need to be or should be as extensive as the one described. The type of needs assessment will depend upon the amount of information already available, the types of data available, the quality and reliability of the data, the priority or urgency of the issue to be investigated, and the level of funding available for the needs assessment. The Alliance Healthcare Foundation and the Study Group determined that the continuing transmission of HIV and hepatitis among injecting drug users and the lack of services for this marginalized population was a high priority for prevention and treatment efforts. However, there were little reliable data on the needs of IDUs in San Diego, the effectiveness of services designed to help IDUs and their sexual and needle-sharing partners reduce their risk of infectious diseases and on the effectiveness of different program modalities. The AHF used the needs assessment to focus its grantmaking efforts targeting substance abuse and communicable disease control and to develop a public education and advocacy campaign to educate elected officials and the general public on the benefits of comprehensive harm reduction strategies that include syringe exchange.
Client Intake A. White, 42 years old B. Talks fast C. Air Force veteran D. Homeless since 1986 E. Has no income F. Admits he is a paranoid schizophrenic (Burns, 1998: 67)
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(2002). Assessing Community Needs and Framing Issues. In: Community Health Advocacy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47824-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47824-2_2
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