Needs and Resources Assessment
Needs and Resources Assessment Defined
A process of gathering information about the current conditions of a targeted population and/or area that underlie the need for an intervention, and offer resources for the implementation of an intervention.
Why a Needs and Resources Assessment is Important
· To identify where problems are most prevalent
· To identify which groups are most involved
· To identify risk and protective factors most prevalent
· To determine if existing community resources are addressing the problem
· To assess the level of community readiness to respond
· To provide baseline data that can be monitored for changes over time
Data Sources
· Key informant surveys
· Community meetings/forums
· Case studies
· Health indicators/archival data
· Census records
· Police arrest and court data
· Service providers surveys
· Client or participant surveys
· Targeted population problem behavior surveys
· Resource asset mapping
Checklist for Needs and Resources
ð Selected a target area
ð Examined rates of drug use in the target area
ð Defined a target population
ð Complied baseline drug use data for the target population
ð Articulated underlying risk factors within the target area, showing the most likely contributing factors
ð Assessed the risk and protective factors of individuals in the target area
ð Conducted a resource or asset assessment
Needs and Resources Assessment Surveys
The Indiana Survey – Youth Version
[Contact: Dr. Mi Kyung Jun at
The Indiana Survey assesses drug use and the presence of risk and protective factors among 6th - 12th grade students. Participation is free and open to any school. Participating school corporations will receive a report detailing their local results. This report will include tables that compare the local school data with state and national comparison norms (where available) on a grade by grade basis. More detailed reports are available for a fee. Reports may be release reports to SPF SIG grantees by submitting a written permission letter to the IPRC.
The Indiana Survey – Adult Version
[Contact: Dr. Jeanie Alter at
An adult version of the Indiana Survey is available that mirrors the youth version and allows for comparisons. The survey can be accessed via dotProject.
The Indiana College Substance Use Survey
[Contact: Dr. Mi Kyung Jun at
A modified version of the CORE Survey administered online by the IPRC to a random sample of students at colleges and universities that elect to participate. First administration of the survey will be February 2009. There is no cost for the survey.
Community Survey
[Contact: Katharine Sadler at
A list of questions from which a community survey may be developed for implementing at a county fair, online, or via an insert in the newspaper. This list may be accessed on dotProject.
SEOW Telephone Survey
[Contact: Dr. Eric Wright at
A comprehensive survey will be conducted every other year (beginning 2008) that includes the NOMs, consequences of use, and demographics. The survey is a randomly dialed, phone survey with an oversample of individuals from SPF SIG-funded counties.
Community Readiness Surveys
§ SEOW's Community Readiness Survey- The survey is available in WORD format on the IPRC website (http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/spf_doc/cir-assessment.html). Online and Spanish versions as well as an interpretation guide are available via dotProject.
§ Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research’s Community Readiness Survey– The survey is available in an editable format on the IPRC website (http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/spf_doc/cir-assessment.html).
§ Community Partner Institute’s Community Prevention Readiness Index- – The survey is available in an editable format on the IPRC website (http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/spf_doc/cir-assessment.html).
§ Goodman & Wandersman's Community Key Leader Survey - The survey is available in WORD format on the IPRC website (http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/spf_doc/cir-assessment.html). Online and Spanish versions as well as an interpretation guide are available via dotProject.
Comprehensive Community Readiness Services
[Contact: Katharine Sadler at
The IPRC can conduct a community readiness survey that includes:
· Initial onsite consultation to provide orientation and determine needs and progress
· Monthly telephone consultation with Program Director
· Survey selection and/or design
· Data collection, analysis, and interpretation
· Access to online survey service for one year
· Present in person a detailed written report
The fee for services is $4900, which includes an actual cost of $5300 and in-kind match of $400.
Access to dotProject
[Contact: Mary Ellen Kolbe at
For access to surveys and documents available via dotProject, a yearly subscription fee of $1200 applies.
Phone: (812) 855-1237 Toll-free: (800)346-3077 Fax: (812) 855-4940 Web site: www.drugs.indiana.edu E-mail: