Community needs assessment refers to the practice of trying to find out what the people in a given community lack. In these studies, basic needs are prioritized. Other needs which may seem basic in the modern society may also be considered once the basic ones have been fully catered for.
This activity can be conducted with various aims. It may be conducted as a research by students aiming at finding out about community needs. It may also be conducted by the leadership of a given region so as to plan for equitable supply and distribution of resources. After an earlier assessment an organization may conduct it for purposes of follow ups.
Among the aspects included are the basic needs that human beings need for survival. These may include food, water as well as shelter. Other important facilities such as schools and hospitals may also be inspected to find out how well they are distributed. The number of people of a given age bracket lacking schooling facilities for instance, may influence the type of schools that will be constructed to fill that vacancy.
This practice comes with a lot of advantages. The most common is the provision of the basic needs where deficiencies have been identified. This ensures that people are healthy and also that the mortality rate is lowered as well as reducing susceptibility to diseases, . For those giving the aid, there is usually that feeling of satisfaction of having assisted people in need. The people conducting the studies also gain a lot of experience and knowledge on the challenges facing other people in the society.
The activity though meant for the good of the people in most cases, might have some shortcomings. This is majorly when it is done with no aim of settling those wants. This is mostly characteristic of those conducting the study as part of their academic studies. Some of them may not have that heart of helping people. Hence, they may just end up laughing at and mocking the people living in those places hence lowering their self esteem drastically. It may also be quite strenuous for the bodies carrying out the activity, because they may at times run short of finances.
After the research is done and areas of need have been identified, the measures to fill those gaps are then put in place by the involved organizations. If conducted by the government, funds have to be channeled towards providing the necessities for those people. Well established non-governmental institutions may also solely fund the developmental projects. In case the budget goes overboard, financial assistance may be sought from other sources.
Sometimes, the area of coverage is very wide and may not sufficiently be attended to by the employees of the involved institutions alone. As such, public help may be sought by offering short term employment to some people to help carry out the activity. This has helped create employments.
Community needs assessment has become a very common activity in a number of countries. This is more especially because governments want to ensure that all their citizens reside in conducive surroundings.
This activity can be conducted with various aims. It may be conducted as a research by students aiming at finding out about community needs. It may also be conducted by the leadership of a given region so as to plan for equitable supply and distribution of resources. After an earlier assessment an organization may conduct it for purposes of follow ups.
Among the aspects included are the basic needs that human beings need for survival. These may include food, water as well as shelter. Other important facilities such as schools and hospitals may also be inspected to find out how well they are distributed. The number of people of a given age bracket lacking schooling facilities for instance, may influence the type of schools that will be constructed to fill that vacancy.
This practice comes with a lot of advantages. The most common is the provision of the basic needs where deficiencies have been identified. This ensures that people are healthy and also that the mortality rate is lowered as well as reducing susceptibility to diseases, . For those giving the aid, there is usually that feeling of satisfaction of having assisted people in need. The people conducting the studies also gain a lot of experience and knowledge on the challenges facing other people in the society.
The activity though meant for the good of the people in most cases, might have some shortcomings. This is majorly when it is done with no aim of settling those wants. This is mostly characteristic of those conducting the study as part of their academic studies. Some of them may not have that heart of helping people. Hence, they may just end up laughing at and mocking the people living in those places hence lowering their self esteem drastically. It may also be quite strenuous for the bodies carrying out the activity, because they may at times run short of finances.
After the research is done and areas of need have been identified, the measures to fill those gaps are then put in place by the involved organizations. If conducted by the government, funds have to be channeled towards providing the necessities for those people. Well established non-governmental institutions may also solely fund the developmental projects. In case the budget goes overboard, financial assistance may be sought from other sources.
Sometimes, the area of coverage is very wide and may not sufficiently be attended to by the employees of the involved institutions alone. As such, public help may be sought by offering short term employment to some people to help carry out the activity. This has helped create employments.
Community needs assessment has become a very common activity in a number of countries. This is more especially because governments want to ensure that all their citizens reside in conducive surroundings.
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