Needs Assessment Flashcards

In a community needs assessment, 'prevalence data' is used to determine:

Answer: How frequently a problem occurs within a population

Prevalence data measures how widespread a condition or need is within a defined population, helping CAAs prioritize the most pressing issues.

A CAA finds that 40% of survey respondents could not identify any available mental health services in their area. This finding is best classified as:

Answer: An awareness gap or information access barrier

When residents are unaware of available services, this signals an information access or outreach gap that the CAA can address through navigation and awareness campaigns.

Which of the following is an example of 'quantitative' data in a needs assessment?

Answer: The percentage of households below 200% of the federal poverty level

Quantitative data is expressed in numbers and can be statistically analyzed; percentages and rates are classic examples used in community assessments.

The phrase 'voice of the customer' in community needs assessment most closely aligns with which CSBG principle?

Answer: Maximum feasible participation of low-income community members

The 'maximum feasible participation' principle, embedded in CSBG since its origins in the Economic Opportunity Act, ensures low-income people shape programs designed to serve them.

A CAA completes its needs assessment but fails to disseminate findings to community partners. The MOST likely consequence is:

Answer: Missed opportunities for collaboration and leveraging resources

Sharing assessment findings with community partners enables collaborative planning, resource alignment, and collective impact—key benefits that are lost without dissemination.

When a needs assessment reveals a new, unmet need that falls outside the CAA's current funded programs, the appropriate response is to:

Answer: Document it and use it to pursue new funding or partnerships

Unmet needs identified in the assessment become the basis for grant applications, new partnerships, and advocacy efforts aligned with the CAA's mission.

Which of the following would be considered a 'protective factor' discovered during a needs assessment?

Answer: A well-established network of faith-based food pantries

Protective factors are existing community strengths—such as active faith-based organizations—that buffer against poverty and adversity and can be leveraged in program planning.