Essay

Give an assessment of the existing resources and the gaps that exist to addressing the problem for  the  population  in  the  local  community.  Conclude  with  a  discussion  of  the  general  changes  you need to be made so that the population can meet their needs based on the literature, the existing resources,  and  strengths  of  the  local  community. In  Part  3  you  are  examining  current  community  resources  that  exist  to  improve  the  problem  as  well  as evident  gaps  in  services  and  resources. You  will  need  to  do  a  comprehensive  search  of  resources  that currently  address  this  need  directly  or  indirectly.  Example    men  and  homelessness,  you  will  list  any temporary housing, low-income housing options, food banks, clothes closets, emergency cash assistance programs as well as prevention programs like budgeting and job search programs. United Ways 211 is a local  directory  of  human  services.  This  is  an  excellent  starting  point  for  your  research. http://www.nc211.org/You will also need to use your literature review to find what programs, resources and/or services have been found to be effective to prevent and respond to your social problem. Stakeholder interviews can also give you information about this. Questions to Consider When Assessing
Resources and Gaps: Are  there mutual support groups, self-help  groups, and voluntary associations in the community (e.g., churches, tenants’ groups, and neighborhood watch)?  What do they do, who do they serve, and do they interface with formal human service organizations? What key human service organizations are in the community, especially targeting services to your study population?  What services are offered?  Besides  government  agencies,  be  sure  to  cover  informal  resources  that  offer  important  social support to the community (e.g., churches, schools, cultural associations, union locals, social clubs)?  How do they interact with the residents? Which  of  these  groups  and  organizations  might  offer  resources  for  a  community  practitioner working in this community and with your target population? How? What local community programs exist that directly address the problem AND population? What local community programs exist that do not directly address the problem but could support the population or support a new intervention? Based on the literature and the local input you have gathered, what is your hypothesis about at least one cause of the problem for your population? Did  interviewees  have  ideas  about  the  cause?  Did  the  journal  articles  or  websites  you  reviewed have ideas about a cause? What do you and your interviewees think would help that does not currently exist in the community (gaps)? What does the research say would help? Did you find any evidence-based or research-supported interventions for the problem AND population in your lit review?
Conclusion Conclude your report with an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of your communitys capacity to address your community/social problem. Are there sufficient resources to address the need? If not, what and who could create positive change in respect to your community problem?