Standard 14

Analysis of services needs; selection of appropriate strategies, services, or interventions; and evaluation of outcomes.
People have needs on all levels. Personal, interpersonal, populations, societal/globally…The answers to those needs lie within the individuals, groups, or societal strengths, weaknesses, and their prospective awareness therein. The skills associated with evaluation of needs and outcomes are directly proportionate with the ability and awareness brought through listening and encouraging self determination.

For me, treating myself compassion and patience for my own struggles has been a monumental lesson in regarding others. Experiencing the epitome of critique and unrealistic expectations from myself has many times put me in the position to learn about my own needs. I’ve learned a lot about what it takes inside an individual to see their true selves, value that self enough to advocate for their best interests, and find the courage to continue whatever journey they may have scarcely begun. In addition to all the struggles with my emerging sexuality and transformation in life, I have also, over the last year, experienced real grief over the sudden deaths of two of my most cherished family members. My cousin, 21, died in the midst of a car accident during an early evening in August 2008. Then 4 months later, my only brother (33) committed suicide the day after Christmas 2008. The skills of communication, emotional awareness and analysis I’ve honed in order to advocate for myself and at times, merely make it through a day, have defogged some of the window pane I look through when beginning to help people help themselves. Experiencing the inner turmoil of grief, depression, and ultimate confusion has given me the space to truly sit still with others in their space and listen, support, and wait. Still now, every day I strive to provide myself the gracious space to exist, whatever that looks like for that moment.

Listening is a vital skill in the assessment of any person or situation. As a Human Services professional interviewing is the primary time for that listening to take place. My skills as a listener began to take shape during the academic interviewing class and are exemplified through the following assignment. (Appendix M) Much of the time, when you listen, you don’t have to make very many decisions about services to provide, because the individual will tell you. At which point, the object is to merely share information that you have and be available for support or gentle guidance.

The techniques for listening to a population of people are different than that of an individual. Skills are required for gathering information from many individuals, compiling that information and analyzing what it says about the population in question. My first internship was at my high school alma mater and incorporated my interest in a program they were running at the school, my interest in working with youth and research I was doing for another project. I came out of that quarter with a strong example of having gathered information about the youth population as a whole, the possible impacts of the program and the actual impacts of this program on these youth. I produced a research paper combining all said information. (Appendix Q)

My analysis of needs on a global scale are demonstrated in this writing on Media Reform. (Appendix P). This thoughtful analysis of communication and social issues considers the breadth of the media and the shortcomings of the system as it is. The more widespread the issue, the more interpretation is required for assessment of needs and evaluation of results. Nonetheless, gathering information and compiling results of previous research, can be considered another form of listening. Listening to the state of the world and the needs that are screaming through the noise of all the people with different, and sometimes conflicting agendas.