Steve Delaronde, MSW, MPH University of Connecticut Health Center

1
IdentifyingCommunity Resources

• Steve Delaronde, MSW, MPHUniversity of
  Connecticut Health Center
• The Governors Prevention Initiative for Youth
• July 16, 1999

2
Steps in conducting a Needs Assessment

• 1. Define the community
• 2. Assess the level of substance use
• 3. Identify target population(s)
• 4. Identify risk and protective factors
• 5. Identify community resources
• 6. Assess community readiness

3
What is a community resource?

• Programs and other assets which exist or have the
  potential to reduce the likelihood that members
  of a population will begin or continue to abuse
  tobacco, alcohol or other drugs (ATOD)
• Directly or indirectly
• reduce risk factors for ATOD abuse
• enhance protective factors which buffer the
  effects of risk exposureArthur M. et al.,
  Assessing State Prevention Resources. CSAP
  Technical Report, 1998.

4
What is a community resource assessment?

• The systematic identification and analysis of a
  wide array of assets at the community level that
  are or can be used to prevent or reduce substance
  use in a population
• Prevention programs
• Policies
• Coalitions
• People

5
Conducting an inventory of community resources

• What resources already exist?
• Who is providing those resources?
• Who is receiving the resources?
• Where are these resources?
• How are those resources made available to the
  community and target group?
• How do the resources address the risk and
  protective factors within a target group?

6
Geographic Distribution of Prevention Programs 3
Connecticut Communities
7
AssessingCommunity Readiness
8
Steps in conducting a Needs Assessment

• 1. Define the community
• 2. Assess the level of substance use
• 3. Identify target population(s)
• 4. Identify risk and protective factors
• 5. Identify community resources
• 6. Assess community readiness

9
What is a Community Readiness?

• Community readiness for prevention is
• The capacity of a community to implement
  programs, policies and other changes that are
  designed to reduce the likelihood of substance use

10
Two levels of assessing Community Readiness

• Attitudes
• Substance use
• Prevention interventions
• Community
• Organizational capacity
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Formal organizational structure

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Completing the Community Applicant Readiness
Worksheet

• 1. Documentation of need
• 2. Vision and resources
• 3. Community awareness
• 4. Previous approaches to substance use
• 5. Funding history
• 6. Networking