2008 United Way of Central West Virginia
Health and Social Service Needs Assessment
A Study of Kanawha and Putnam Counties

Introduction

For 75 years, United Way of Central West Virginia has supported health and social service programs that have helped thousands of individuals lead healthier and more productive lives.
In October 2007, United Way’s Board of Directors approved the preparation of a needs assessment of health and social services needs in Kanawha and Putnam counties. The goal of the 2008 Community Needs Assessment was to identify and investigate critical community needs to assist United Way and the community in developing measurable and lasting solutions to those needs. The Needs Assessment was also designed to provide baseline data about the state of our region, the quality of life here, and the challenges facing our community. United Way’s Community Services Committee was tasked with guiding model development and implementation.

2008 Needs Assessment Process

To carry out the needs assessment process, United Way contracted with Ted J. Johnson, of Jonnel Enterprises. Drawing on his long experience in mental health and social service fields in West Virginia, Mr. Johnson brought a wealth of technical expertise in the identification and assessment of community social services needs. The Needs Assessment Subcommittee, chaired by Brenda Grant, corporate director of Planning and Business Development at Charleston Area Medical Center, and comprised of other leaders within our region, carefully studied research, key informant interviews, and service data.

A community assessment model derived from best-practice literature was used to drive the process. The study’s identification of community needs focused on estimated prevalence data of illness, disorders, or social needs in Kanawha and Putnam counties; service data and referrals of the health and social service system to meet needs; information from key informants into a view of existing gaps, based on a working knowledge of prevalence and capacity to meet needs; and the coordination of services within a system of care. Coordination of services includes facilitating entry into health and social services, smooth transition across components of the service system, and appropriate follow-up. The process also incorporated survey results from other sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and federal, state, and local agencies.

From these data sources, the Needs Assessment identified 18 areas of high need. United Way’s Board of Directors and Community Services Committee classified each of the identified areas using a five-part analysis: 1) whether the identified need is considered a major problem in the community, 2) whether the problem needs to be addressed immediately, 3) whether the community can affect the problem, 4) whether that impact can be brought about with existing leadership and resources, and 5) whether addressing the problem can reduce long-terms cost to the community. The 18 areas were ranked based on an average of the total score.

Six priority needs emerged from the Needs Assessment and this five-part analysis:

Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment for Youth
Lack of Positive Activities for Youth Who are At-Risk
High School Dropout Rate
Service Coordination Among Social Service Agencies
Child Abuse and Neglect
Oral Health Needs for Adults and Children

Combining information from three separate data sources (prevalence, service, and key informant data) can be used to create a framework from which themes for community solutions may evolve.

Next Steps

The Needs Assessment provides a broad examination of community issues throughout our region and offers important insights into community perceptions. Accurate and reliable data on the demographic, social, and economic conditions of our area are vital for planning, resource allocation, and measuring the impact of policies and programs.

The Needs Assessment is intended not only for United Way’s use and decision making, but for use by other organizations and the community. Its findings can lead to additional community conversations and analysis about how our community can provide the highest quality of life for all of its residents, and facilitate more community engagement around identifying and meeting community needs.

Over the next several months, United Way will study the results of the Needs Assessment, gauge the community’s assessment of it, and develop plans to increase community resources and mobilize volunteer efforts to address the critical community needs identified in it.

Download the Executive Summary