CitySpaces, with the support of sub-consultants Mustel Group, PERC and Kari Huhtala and Associates, prepared a Community Needs Assessment for the City of Richmond. The purpose of the Community Needs Assessment was to identify gaps in services towards informing the optimization of service delivery across the City’s Community Services divisions including the departments of Community Social Development; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Recreation; and Parks Services.
Key components of our work plan for undertaking the Community Needs Assessment included:
- Preparing a communications plan, to guide engagement with the public and stakeholders.
- Facilitating a Context Setting Workshop with the City’s project team.
- Preparing a Community Profile, outlining baseline data including demographic analysis.
- Preparing a Background Report on the City’s existing policies in relation to community services.
- Implementing an engagement plan, including a comprehensive survey, facilitating steering committee meetings and focus groups; key informant interviews; and a public forum.
- Analysis of outcomes from engagement as well as reviewing and analyzing program statistics, towards identifying needs and gaps in service provision.
- Preparation of a Community Needs Assessment Report
The final Community Needs Assessment provides the City with key strategies and recommendations for optimizing services, programs and facilities taking into consideration current and projected population and demographic changes anticipated for Richmond.
PROJECT TEAM:
Linda Allen Joanna Gauld