Engaging and Empowering Community Stakeholders in Needs Assessment Work: Needs Assessment and Asset Capacity Building (NA and A/CB) Hybrid Approach

Abstract Information: Needs assessment (NA) and Asset Capacity Building (A/CB) are two different, oppositional schools of thought. The hybrid model is a synthesis of NA and A/CB. Some evaluators have familiarity with NA but smaller numbers have been involved in A/CB efforts with yet a tinier group having done combinations of the two. Published literature examples of the latter are more like traditional research articles as opposed to focusing on implementation especially regarding what to do with and how to deal with stakeholder engagement in executing the hybrid model. Translating what has been learned into practices to guide planning for such work is critical and is the focus of this presentation. Topics to be covered include overview of a hybrid framework for doing both activities at the same time, methods used for NA and A/CB separately and combined, and example of using the hybrid model that applies various potential methods.