MODULE IV

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Activity
1. What is community needs assessment? Why is it important in formulating NSTP
projects?

The needs assessment is an important process used to determine the needs of the
individuals or a group of individuals in order to design a program that will
respond effectively to the needs and bring about desired changes in behavior. It
encourages the participation of the community, as they are stakeholders to the
findings in the assessment. And it is important in formulating NSTP projects it
determines the needs of the individual or group of individuals to design the
program. These constitutional mandates and tenets served as the basis for the
enactment of Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the National Service
Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 that aims to motivate, train, organize and
mobilize the youth in military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar
endeavors in the service and patriotism while undergoing training. In the second
phase training the students are encouraged to develop an in-depth understanding
on the value of community service through various programs with selected
families and children in the community.

2. What is the information to be included in assessing community needs?

Historical development- this refers to data on how the community became what it
is today and provides insights into the kind of resources to collect and weed.
Geographical and Transportation Information - this includes information on the
community’s pattern and population contributions.
Political and Legal Functions- this includes strategies for community-based
selection
Demographic data- this includes data on age, characteristics, size, race, and
transience of population.
Economic data-this refers to the economic base, social, cultural, educational,
recreational organizations. This includes the values and social patterns.

3. How are data collected for meaningful results of community needs assessment?

Focused Group Discussion (FGD) with Key informants.

Community Forum Assembly
Public records
Survey