Community Needs Assessment Plan Priorities, Timelines, and Decision Making Protocols
Master of Human Services, Walden University
HUMN 6785- Social Change in Action: Prevention, Consultation, and Advocacy
How do I think about 8–10 stakeholders whom you would include on your community needs assessment team, the
knowledge and expertise they would bring to the team, and the roles and responsibilities they would have? Consider which
stakeholders on the team would play the role of an advocate, which would play the role of a consultant, and which would
play both roles.
How do I write two to three pages (not including a title page or reference page) that addresses the following areas?
Refine the Problem Statement. Inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Identify a Diverse Community Team. Using the internet and/or your connections from working in the community, identify
approximately 8–10 cross-discipline stakeholders that you would propose for your team and explain why you selected each
of them. Examples of stakeholders include but are not limited to an executive director of a shelter, a school administrator, a
community health worker, a prison warden, a corporate business leader, and a community member with a stake in the
problem. These stakeholders should be members of the community who are familiar with the problem and/or who are
affected by the problem. They are also critical to the success of the community needs assessment. For each stakeholder that
you selected, address the following:
Describe the knowledge and expertise that each stakeholder provides.
Describe the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Be sure to indicate which stakeholders would play the
role of an advocate, which would play the role of a consultant, and which would play both roles. Keep in mind that
not all stakeholders will play these roles.
PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES (INCLUDED IN FILE UPLOAD:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Community needs assessment participant workbook Download
Community needs assessment participant workbook. (PDF)
Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change: A practical guide to solving complex problems, avoiding unintended
consequences, and achieving lasting results. Chelsea Green Publishing.
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, Refining the Problem Statement.
Mental health stigma has deep historical roots, with misconceptions and negative views
dating back to the Middle Ages. During that time, individuals with mental health issues were
often labelled as possessed or involved in witchcraft (Digital Team, 2023). These harmful
stereotypes deter many from seeking help, especially within African American communities,
where generational beliefs discourage discussing mental health concerns. African Americans
are frequently taught from a young age to maintain family privacy and mistrust external
support systems, including mental health services (Bryant, 2022).
This reluctance is further exacerbated by systemic obstacles such as financial barriers, limited
diversity among mental health professionals, and a general distrust of the medical industry
(Bryant, 2022). Addressing these challenges requires targeted, culturally sensitive strategies
that prioritize trust-building, community education, and accessible care for African
Americans and other underserved populations.
Developing a Team Strategy.
To address mental health stigma in Black communities, five key strategies would be
prioritized: education and promotion, classification, evaluation, treatment, and prevention.
These strategies form a holistic approach to addressing both current and future mental health
disparities.
1. Education and Promotion.
The first and most critical step is education and promotion, which aims to dispel
misinformation and foster trust within the community. By promoting healthy behaviours and
correcting misunderstandings, we can encourage individuals to seek help without fear of
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