Short Course
Introduction to Community Needs and Resource Assessments
$39.99
Get started on your community needs and resource assessment journey with clear, practical knowledge you can apply to your work immediately!
Self-Paced
1-2 Hours
Video Lessons
Interactive Activities
This course earns you a certificate of completion from SPS. What you earn.
About the Course
Are you eager to learn how to effectively assess community needs and resources but overwhelmed by lengthy e-learning courses and scattered online materials? Our focused 1-2 hour short course, "Introduction to Community Needs and Resource Assessments," provides a practical foundation in evaluating community dynamics. This course is designed specifically for busy individuals seeking clear, actionable knowledge to make a real impact in their communities.
Course Overview
This introductory course breaks down the complexities of the community needs and resource assessment process into digestible modules, featuring:
Animated video lessons that clearly illustrate complex concepts
Interactive exercises that reinforce learning
Real-world examples and scenarios
Knowledge check quizzes to validate understanding
Curated resources for continued learning
"This course is a great introduction into community needs assessments that is accessible to practitioners in the field who are doing the on-the-ground work. It breaks down how to go about completing assessments such as these without being overwhelming, while taking into consideration resource and capacity. The resources shared throughout the course were helpful guides for working through this process in a meaningful and effective way." - Amanda C. |
Who This Course is For
Anyone who does evaluation or program planning work
Community organization staff
Program managers and coordinators
Professional evaluators or researchers seeking to expand their skills
Students in undergraduate or graduate college programs
Why This Format Works
We've designed this short course to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Rather than overwhelming you with extensive readings or providing a list of resources to read on your own, we've created an engaging learning experience that:
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Respects your time with focused, efficient content delivery
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Builds practical understanding through interactive elements
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Provides clear examples of concepts in action
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Offers a structured path to understanding complex topics
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Includes a curated list of written resources you can use to further your learning
What You'll Learn
Master the fundamentals of conducting community needs and resource assessments through carefully structured content:
The fundamental purpose of CNAs and their importance in community planning
A clear, step-by-step process for conducting comprehensive assessments
Practical approaches for gathering both primary and secondary data
Strategic methods for analyzing findings and setting priorities
Effective techniques for translating assessment results into action
Course Features
Accessible through any internet browser
Closed captions available for all video content
Certificate upon completion
Ongoing access to course materials
Curated additional resources for deeper learning
Course Outline
Section 1 | Introduction to Community Needs and Resource Assessments |
Section 2 | What is a Community Needs & Resources Assessment? |
Section 3 | When Should You Conduct a CNA? |
Section 4 | Setting Up Your Assessment |
Sections 5-10 | Steps of a CNA |
Section 11 | Conclusion |
What You'll Earn
Our Difference: Why Learn with SPS?
At Strategic Prevention Solutions, we've spent over 15 years translating complex evaluation concepts into practical, actionable approaches for communities. This short course emerges directly from our experience working alongside nonprofits, community coalitions, tribal organizations, and state agencies to evaluate real systems change initiatives.
We designed this course to fill a critical gap between theoretical frameworks and on-the-ground application. While many resources explain what systems change is, we focus on how to actually evaluate it in your community context. Our approach comes from having done this work ourselves - from assessing collaborative functioning in Alaska Native communities to evaluating statewide prevention initiatives.
Community-Centered Expertise: Our team brings both academic rigor and deep community experience.
At SPS, we are:
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Published researchers and evaluation experts who prioritize making complex concepts accessible
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Practitioners who have implemented systems change evaluation across diverse contexts
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Facilitators who understand the importance of building evaluation capacity that fits local needs
We believe evaluation should enhance, not burden, your work. This course reflects our commitment to making evaluation methodology accessible and meaningful for those doing the critical work of community transformation.
About the Author
Lexi Prunella, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.
Senior Research Associate, Strategic Prevention Solutions
Lexi brings almost two decades of experience evaluating health promotion and prevention efforts across nonprofit, university, state government, and CDC-funded sectors. She specializes in violence prevention, substance misuse prevention, sexual health promotion, healthy relationships, and initiatives focused on equity, systems change, and community engagement — with particular expertise serving tribal entities, LGBTQIA+ programs, foster youth, and rural Alaskan communities. Her approach emphasizes utilization-focused evaluation, community needs and readiness assessments, capacity building, and participatory methods that help communities connect with local partners to address pressing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of evaluation experience do I need?
No prior evaluation experience is required. The course is designed as an introduction to community needs and resource assessment concepts and is accessible to both beginners and experienced evaluators looking to expand their knowledge.
How long will it take to complete the course?
The course typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. You can progress at your own pace and revisit sections as needed.
Can I take breaks and complete the course on my own schedule?
Yes! The course is entirely self-paced with no scheduled times or deadlines. You'll have one full year of access from your signup date, during which you can:
Start the course whenever you're ready
Take breaks as needed between sections
Return to the content at your convenience
Complete it in one sitting or spread it out over several sessions Your progress is automatically saved, so you can easily pick up where you left off anytime during your access period.
How is this different from traditional program evaluation courses?
This course specifically focuses on conducting a step-by-step process for assessing community needs and available resources rather than evaluating individual programs. You'll learn to consider the interconnected factors and relationships within a community, which requires different approaches than traditional program evaluation.
What's the format of the course materials?
The course includes a mix of:
Animated video lessons
Interactive activities and reflection exercises
Knowledge check quizzes
Real-world examples and scenarios
Links to additional resources
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, upon successfully completing all course modules, you'll earn a professional certificate in Community Needs and Resource Assessments. This certificate demonstrates your commitment to understanding modern evaluation approaches and can be added to your professional portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or CV. It recognizes your foundational knowledge in this emerging and important field of community planning and evaluation.
Do I need any special technology?
No, special technology is not required. You can access the course through any standard internet browser.
Which platform hosts this course?
This course is hosted on TalentLMS, a user-friendly learning management system that's easy to navigate. Once you purchase the course, you'll receive login credentials for the TalentLMS platform, where you can access all course materials, track your progress, and download your certificate upon completion of the course.
How long will I have access to the course materials?
You'll have access to all course materials through the TalentLMS platform for one year from the date you sign up. During this time, you can review and reference the content as often as you'd like.
Are there opportunities for additional learning?
Yes, throughout the course you'll find curated links to additional resources for deeper exploration of specific topics that interest you.
Is the course accessible?
Yes! The course includes closed captions for all video content. It's also designed to be taken at your own pace, in whatever chunks of time work for you — you can move through it section by section without losing your progress. No special software or downloads are required; you can access everything through a standard internet browser.
If you have specific accessibility needs that aren't addressed here, feel free to reach out to us directly at info@StrategicPreventionSolutions.com.
What will I be able to do after completing this course?
After completing the course, you'll be able to:
Understand the fundamental purpose of CNAs and their importance in community planning
Apply a clear, step-by-step process for conducting comprehensive assessments
Conduct practical approaches for gathering both primary and secondary data
Distinguish strategic methods for analyzing findings and setting priorities
Facilitate effective techniques for translating assessment results into action
Maria G.C.
“As someone with no background in systems change evaluation and minimal experience in program evaluation, I found this course to be straightforward, engaging, and accessible. It was easy to navigate and took only an hour of my time. I’ll definitely remember these concepts in my work moving forward!”