Steve Delaronde, MSW, MPH University of Connecticut Health Center The Governor’s Prevention Initiative for Youth July 16, 1999 Identifying Community Resources

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

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 è reduce risk factors for ATOD abuse è enhance protective factors which buffer the effects of risk exposure Arthur M. et al., Assessing State Prevention Resources. CSAP Technical Report, 1998.

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

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?

Geographic Distribution of Prevention Programs: 3 Connecticut Communities

Assessing Community Readiness

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

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

Two levels of assessing Community Readiness Attitudes –Substance use –Prevention interventions –Community Organizational capacity –Leadership –Collaboration –Formal organizational structure

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