Discussion Post I: Developing a Needs Assessment
An organization's mission statement directly correlates to the goals of the programs that organization supports. In developing a program for a particular organization, it is important to consider not only how the outcomes of the program will benefit the target population (the clients) but also how the outcomes will address the overall goals or purposes of the organization. As a program developer, you should outline a set of specific, concrete program goals that are aligned with the organization's goals and mission statement. If the program goals are too abstract or do not suit the mission statement, your program may not be effective or useful.
You will analyze the concepts of a mission statement and goals and how they can be used as strategic tools. You will also perform an assessment of the mission statement and goals of a nonprofit organization of your choice. Finally, you will develop a plan for a needs assessment for the homeless population in a case study.
Objectives
You should be able to:
i. Analyze organizational mission statements and goals
ii. Analyze strategies for organizations to achieve mission statements and goals
iii. Develop a needs assessment
iv. Develop goals and objectives for a human services program
Discussion Post II: Mission Statement and Goals
When you scrutinize programs and efforts of an organization or agency, it is important to familiarize yourself with an organization's or agency's mission statement. A mission statement is a statement of purpose that describes or explains the goals, focal points, and strategies of the organization or agency. Mission statements serve as a point of reference for the organization's decisions, and they answer the question "Why do we exist?" (Walker, 2008).
Mission statements and goals do not necessarily dictate an organization's everyday activities and strategies. Rather, they provide a clear focus and sense of direction, suggest important factors and outcomes, and inform how everyday functions are performed. An organization's mission statement and goals are important to executives, board members, and other leaders who may be responsible for decision making and designing action plans and programs.
Mission statements inform goals, while goals inform objectives. Goals are an overall statement about the general idea of activities and purposes. Objectives are more specific and precise; they are further developments of goals and have an end product that is easily verifiable or measured. Objectives follow a goal statement and include a clear action. Strategies and programs then follow the objectives.
For example:
1. Mission Statement: This organization works toward increasing quality of life among the impoverished people of the community through comprehensive programs and a philosophy of compassion and open arms.
• Goal: To increase nourishment and promote healthier eating for impoverished people in the community.
i. Objective 1: Implement a monthly soup kitchen.
ii. Objective 2: Hold information sessions on applying for and using food stamps.
iii. Objective 3: Create pamphlets about healthy eating on a low budget.
In this Discussion, you will examine the mission statement and goals of a nonprofit organization you select. You will also explore how the goals and mission statement would be fulfilled through those programs and strategies.
To prepare for this Discussion:
i. Review Chapter 5 in your course text, focusing on the various approaches to measuring need. Consider how the type of need influences the approach to measurement.
ii. Review Chapter 6 in your course text, focusing on the development of a program hypothesis. Think about the types of information you would require to create a hypothesis that would accurately address the identified needs.
iii. Review Chapter 7 in your course text, focusing on the formulation of the mission statement, goals, and objectives. Reflect on the role of goals and objectives in strategic planning.
iv. Select a nonprofit organization that delivers human services to a population in need. Review the nonprofit organization's website to find its mission statement and any related goals and objectives.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a brief description of the nonprofit organization you selected, including its mission statement, goals, and objectives. Then, describe two programs or strategies that the organization might enact and explain how each program or strategy would contribute to the organization achieving its mission and goals.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Respond to at least one of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:
i. Ask a probing question.
ii. Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
iii. Offer and support an opinion.
iv. Validate an idea with your own experience.
v. Make a suggestion.
vi. Expand on your colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Homework: Creating a Needs Assessment
The planners and implementors of successful human services programs utilize many strategies and techniques during the development phases of their projects. They conduct extensive research to identify the needs of their clients, the intricacies of the social problem, and the causal components of the social problem. They also formulate goals and objectives for the outcomes of their programs.
Conducting a needs assessment is an essential component of the planning and development phase for a human services program. A needs assessment does not need to be complex or financially burdensome, but should make use of available resources to determine the accurate needs of the program's clients and how to address those needs. This can involve a variety of methods of gathering information, including conducting surveys of the clients and perusing secondary sources of information.
In this Homework, you will formulate strategies of performing a thorough needs assessment for the program featured in the case study. You will also develop a set of goals and objectives to encompass the purpose of the program in the study.
Before you begin a needs assessment, ask yourself, "What information sources are available?" Then, identify the types of needs into which each information source could provide insight. Think about primary sources that would be helpful, including individuals, organizations, and groups that comprise your target population or clientele. Also consider any useful secondary sources of information that would inform your needs assessment, including research studies and the ideas of experts.
To prepare for this Homework:
i. Review Chapter 5 in your course text, focusing on the various approaches to measuring need. Consider the different tools for gathering information and when each type is most appropriate.
ii. Review Chapter 7 in your course text,focusing on the differences between outcome objectives and process objectives.
iii. Select one of the case studies listed in the Learning Resources to use for this Homework.
iv. Review the case study you selected, and think about how you might determine the actual needs of the population featured in the case study and how you would state these as goals and objectives.
v. Think about the actual goals and objectives related to the strategies employed in the program featured in the case study.
Task (1 to 2 pages):
i. Summarize the purpose of conducting a needs assessment for the population in the case study.
ii. Identify several methods for performing a needs assessment of the population in the case study (homeless families).
iii. Explain how you would find the normative, expressed, perceived, and relative needs of the population, and outline the data collection procedure(s) for each of the methods you identify.
iv. Formulate a set of goals and objectives for the program in the case study based on the apparent needs of the population as outlined in the case study.
v. Finally, provide a brief explanation of the importance of having a cohesive mission statement and set of goals within an organization.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Reference
I. Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L. L. (2017). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
i. Chapter 5, "Needs Assessment: Approaches to Measurement"
ii. Chapter 6, "Selecting the Appropriate Intervention Strategy"
iii. Chapter 7, "Setting Goals and Objectives"
II. Walker, L. (2008). Waikiki youth circles: Homeless youth learn goal setting skills. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 19(1), 85-91.
III. Giffords, E., Alonso, C., & Bell, R. (2007). A transitional living program for homeless adolescents: A case study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(4), 141-151.
IV. Blue-Howells, J., McGuire, J., & Nakashima, J. (2008). Co-location of health care services for homeless veterans: A case study of innovation in program implementation. Social Work in Health Care, 47(3), 219-231.
V. Glisson, G. M., Thyer, B. A., & Fischer, R. L. (2001). Serving the homeless: Evaluating the effectiveness of homeless shelter services. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 28(4), 89-97.
VI. Acosta, O., & Toro, P. A. (2000). Let's ask the homeless people themselves: A needs assessment based on a probability sample of adults. American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 343-366.