Reframe Health

Community needs assessments evaluate the needs, challenges, resources, and opportunities within a given community. These assessments are critical to ensure your programs are relevant, appropriate, and beneficial. Without conducting an assessment, even the most well-intentioned programs may be ineffective or detrimental.

Community needs assessments help answer questions such as:

• What does the community identify as its greatest needs?
• What are the root causes of the problems the community faces, and what are key areas for interventions?
• What current programs, initiatives, etc. are already in place or being developed to address community needs?
• Who should be at the table when a program is being developed, launched, and evaluated? Who are the stakeholders?
• Who should be leading this effort?
• What opportunities exist within the community that can be expanded, strengthened, or relied upon?
• How would a successful program be defined?
• How is “community” defined?
• What approaches could be taken to address a need?

Community needs assessments can take many forms (and qualitative and/or quantitative approaches), such as:

• Interviews or informal conversations with stakeholders
• Focus groups with community members
• Literature review of existing data and information
• Surveys of community members and leaders
• Town halls

Reframe Health’s approach to community needs assessments is tailored to the needs of each organization. Our support can take the form of a one-time meeting all the way to hands-on assistance.

What is the difference between a community needs assessment and research?

We are often asked how a community needs assessment differs from research. The key difference is that the goal of a community needs assessment is to inform a program or project, whereas the goal of research is to contribute to generalizable knowledge (i.e., to add to the existing knowledge and data). Sometimes, an approach serves both purposes — is both a needs assessment for program planning and research to contribute to general knowledge. We can help you clarify your approach and provide support no matter which path your work takes.