ASSESSMENT > NEEDS ASSESSMENT

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NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The ability to identify specific needs of groups and communities in order to determine the right interventions for meeting those needs, in a gang related context. (Adapted from: Altschuld & Kumar, 2010)

PROFICIENCY LEVELS

* Proficiency Level – the level of competency proficiency one must command to successfully perform job functions in a gang related context 

Understands the specific needs of communities afflicted by the gang phenomenon;
Is aware of the key players in the community involved in gang activities;
Identifies key issues related to gangs in local communities;

Applies the knowledge about the needs to current practice, in a gang context;
Identifies suitable tools and practices to analyse the needs of a gang afflicted community;

Implements needs assessment tools in one’s professional practice based on the specificity of gang afflicted communities;
Changes own practice according to identified needs in the local community affected by gangs;

Cooperates/networks with relevant professionals in related fields (juvenile delinquency, social work, education, emergency units, etc) in order to obtain best tools for assessing gang afflicted community needs;

Creates and disseminates complex maps of specific needs related to the gang context in local community;
Relates and interacts with relevant stakeholders that are either sources of information or potential beneficiaries.

SAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE OF

Techniques to gather information

Existent needs assessment tools

ABILITY TO

Apply methods and techniques to gather information about needs in the gang context;

Use interviewing skills;

Interpret the collected data in a gang related context;

Work with needs assessment tools that are relevant to a gang related context;

Use observation skills;

Report the needs assessment results.