Needs Assessment of Pennsylvania Veterans A research team at Penn State Harrisburg conducted a Needs Assessment of Pennsylvania's Veterans. The research team engaged the veteran community through community-wide surveys, in-depth focus groups, targeted personal interviews, and gathered information from a literature review. Sponsorship was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs). The goal of this comprehensive needs assessment was to gather detailed information so the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs can be more responsive to the needs of all Pennsylvania veterans. The Final Report for the Needs Assessment of Pennsylvania Veterans can be found here: http://www.milvet.state.pa.us/DMVA/Docs_DMVA/veterans_needs_assessment.pdf Needs Assessment on Pennsylvania’s Victim Community
The Penn State research team conducted a Needs Assessment on Pennsylvania’s Victim Community that gathered detailed information about crime victims and victim services via community-wide surveys, focus groups, targeted personal interviews with key victim service organization members and leaders. This information was combined with demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the community. Sponsorship was provided by the Office of Victims’ Services of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The primary goal of this one-year initiative was to develop a comprehensive understanding of unmet needs and service gaps through the perspectives of both service providers and victims. The research methods utilized enabled the researchers to learn about unmet needs, existing services and community assets, service gaps, underserved crime victim populations, and identify best practices. The Final Reports for the Needs Assessment of Pennsylvania's Victim Community can be found here: http://www.pccd.pa.gov/Victim-Services/Documents/VictimsNeedsReport_2013_Final.pdf
Community Needs Assessment for the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County
As part of its strategic planning process, the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County engaged Penn State researchers to conduct the 2011 Community Needs Assessment. Activities undertaken as part of the community needs assessment included in-depth interviews with community leaders and stakeholders, focus groups with underserved populations, a community telephone survey, and background research on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the community. The purpose of these activities was to understand and document the local community’s needs and issues. The data was used to provide a strategic direction that the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County could take over the next five years.
“Thank you for all the hard work that you did on these reports. They should be very useful to us in the coming months as we work on a new strategic direction and as we move our United Way into a Community Impact model United Way to better meet the needs of our community.”
Sherrie L. Davis
Executive Director, United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County (UWCCC)
UWCCC Reports can be found at: http://carlisleunitedway.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Final_Report_Vol_V_10_13_11.pdf
Community Health Needs Assessment for Summit Health in Franklin County, PA
The Penn State research team recently conducted the 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Summit Health in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The study’s activities included focus groups, a community survey, secondary data analysis, and extensive interaction with an advisory group. The CHNA was designed to identify the strengths, gaps, and opportunities in meeting the health-related needs of the Summit Health Service Area. This Community Health Needs Assessment met all requirements of the Internal Revenue Service as currently described in Notice 2011-52.
Summit Health Community Health Needs Assessment reports can be found at: http://www.summithealth.org/about-us/community-health-needs-assessment
Campus Climate Assessment at Penn State Harrisburg
The Center for Survey Research has assisted the Assessment Subcommittee of the Penn State Harrisburg Diversity and Educational Equity Committee since 2003. This commitment to assessment has allowed the Committee to make comparisons between points in time, to determine what (if any) progress was occurring, and to identify diversity-specific challenges facing the College.
The Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg can assist with your campus assessment process. A menu of assessment options is available, including: questionnaire design, web survey programming and administration, focus group administration at any campus, and basic reporting. Analysis of results should be done locally by faculty, staff, and students who truly understand the campus climate. The Center offers flexible and individualized project planning to work with any time frame or budget.
“The Center for Survey Research has assisted the Penn State Harrisburg Diversity and Educational Equity Committee with our regular campus climate assessments since 2003. The data they collected has provided a wealth of knowledge as we assess our campus successes and challenges. They were easy to work with, professional, and committed to providing high quality services.”
Dr. Felicia Brown-Haywood
Co-Chair, Diversity and Educational Equity Committee