. We can react to anecdotal data or personal experiences, before we critically analyze a problem, which may create a perception that a problem has wider reaching effects on a community than it really does. To effectively address social concerns it is important to accurately assess problems, social issues or concerns to assure that, often limited, resources are utilized effectively and efficiently.
In this paper you are to identify a social issue that is relevant to rural social work and use a variety of professional sources including the catchment group, key informants (community leaders, service providers) and the larger community to assess the unmet service provision and service access needs related to the issue. You will find some specific information about needs assessments and a case example in Chapter 11 of Ginsberg.
Ginsberg, L. H. (2011). Social work in rural communities. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education. 5th edition
I want to see you integrate, to the degree that it is relevant to your paper, what you have learned from the course into this paper. You may not be able to respond to each point outlined below; however, do explain in your paper why not. With this in mind write your magnum opus.
1. Social Concern/Issue/Problem – Identify a local social concern/issue/problem that would be of interest to social workers. Describe the problem in detail and its relevance to the profession of social work. How is the problem portrayed in the media? Who is at risk? Are there risk factors? What role does oppression play? What role does race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation play? Who gains by the maintenance of the problem?
2. Research and Data – Provide statistical data to develop an understanding of the problems prevalence in the community and those it affects. You are to locate and present demographic data that offers a clear understanding of who it affects, where, how often, and if possible a comparison of local prevalence rates with state or national data. How much does it cost the state/local government?
3. Policy – Discuss how current policy and public opinion has impacted the “problem”. What local, state, or federal policy influences the problem? Discuss any social or political action group(s) that may support or oppose the problem. Is there a policy statement from NASW, if so offer a brief statement.
4. Current Efforts – Discuss the current efforts, if any, to ameliorate this problem. What are people, groups, or organizations doing to ameliorate the problem? If there are many different methods pick one or two that are theoretically or philosophically connected to social work.
5. Method & Solution – Design a method to solve or improve the “problem”. A broad conceptual description of your solution is what I am looking for. Identify a social work theory or practice approach that supports your thinking. Be creative and develop an original solution. I am not going to grade you on the viability of your solution.
Submission requires a scholarly level of writing that includes cited research supplying a minimum of five credible/scholarly articles to support the paper. The Needs Assessment should be a minimum of 7 pages in length (title and reference page not included in page count) using proper APA 6th Edition format.