Especially relevant to guiding CAASNM’s work throughout the 5 counties it serves is its comprehensive, 5-year Community Needs Assessment (2018). The Assessment was completed with the input of many hundred stakeholders, and information was collected directly from clients and community members through surveys, community forums and interviews.
This community and client input was analyzed to identify key community problems. The six most predominant problems in all of the counties surveyed include, not surprisingly: drugs/drug abuse. mental health; transportation; education; lack of youth programs; and unemployment. The Assessment also provided qualitative interviews with stakeholders describing their community’s unique perspective. in the client’s own words. Thus, CAASNM is particularly well informed once again about needs at community and individual levels.