ERIC Number: EJ870740
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0884-1233
EISSN: N/A
Needs Assessments: An Integrated Assignment in Civic Service
Norris, Debra S.; Schwartz, Charles L.
Journal of Teaching in Social Work, v29 n4 p373-382 2009
An undergraduate social work program developed a service-learning experience in partnership with a local United Way organization to complete a community needs assessment project. The experience integrated the curricula of a social work research methods course and a generalist-macro practice course with the principles and actions of experiential and service- learning, evidence based practice, and civic responsibility. This integrated curricula project yielded practical, "real world" outcomes for the local community and learning outcomes for the students. Needs assessments conducted by social students resulted in particular groups of community citizens receiving targeted services from agencies receiving funding from United Way. Evidence obtained from the students who participated in this experience indicates that two important learning outcomes were achieved; a heightened awareness of the local community's resource system and a sense of connection to the local community, along with the enhancement of students' self-esteem and increased self-confidence in their abilities.
Descriptors: Methods Courses, Community Needs, Needs Assessment, Research Methodology, Citizenship Responsibility, Social Work, Empowerment, Partnerships in Education, Caseworker Approach, Experiential Learning, Service Learning, Educational Principles
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A