2023 Volume 23 Pages 14-33
The author carried out a nationwide survey related to needs assessment implementation in User Support Projects for parenting support services. The results showed the following three conclusions. (1) More than 50% of support staff and supervisors of the Basic-Type Projects were working without any assessment tools. In the Child/Maternal Health-Type Projects, a substantial 71% made use of assessment tools, with a particular focus on risk assessments. (2) Seventy-two percent of those working in the Basic-Type Projects were childcare workers, while 87% of those in the Child/Maternal Health-Type Projects were public health nurses. Only 7% of those working in the Basic-Type Projects were licensed social workers. When looking at the strengths and issues of each type of worker, public health nurses demonstrate the highest levels of competence required for needs assessments, although they need to improve their focus on prevention. Childcare workers are highly skilled at interaction but must improve in the other areas of expertise required for social work. Licensed social workers have the most expertise required for social work but have trouble implementing this expertise. (3) Results also suggested that a lack of parenting support services by cooperating organizations was preventing workers from finding value in needs assessments and in turn, contributed to their inadequate implementation.
