needs assessment and strategic planning

How do organizations know which populations need which services?

Or what their programs need to create lasting impact?

Colibri needs assessments provide insight—identifying and prioritizing community concerns, needs and strengths. With knowledge of needs and assets, programs can be designed to successfully address the gap between existing needs and stakeholders’ vision for their community.

Assessments are based on your organization’s goals and your community’s capacity. They are designed to be culturally relevant, with a focus on Equity.

Like program evaluations, needs assessments can employ a range of social science methods—from participatory focus groups and interviews, to surveys and observations.

Level 1

Overview Assessment workshops can be delivered on a stand-alone basis to gather qualitative assessment insight. These are not intended to take the place of a comprehensive needs assessment, but can provide a valuable window into the strengths and concerns of your community. To come away with a broad understanding, we strive to ensure a diverse cross section of stakeholders are involved. Summary report included.

level 2

Needs Assessment is a more comprehensive package, and typically involves:

• meeting with organization leaders to review assessment goals

• determining a spectrum of stakeholders that accurately represent the community

• developing focus group questions

• developing survey and/or interview questions

• cultural competency and data accuracy training for interview and survey implementation team

• developing participatory, strengths-based workshop activities suited to community of focus

• checking for cultural competency in implementation plan (addressing community capacity regarding time, place, incentives, etc.)

• focus group facilitation

• workshop facilitation

• summary report presentation

Summary report identifies and prioritizes needs. Existing capacity, strengths and assets are highlighted to inform and fortify efforts aimed at addressing identified needs. Outcomes desired by stakeholders are also presented.

level 3

Stragegic Plans incorporate needs assessment findings with input from your organization’s team, board, clients and agency partners. Planning workshops guide your team through goal setting and development of a multi-year implementation plan.