Comprehensive First Year Effort in Title XX Regional Planning and Needs Assessment in Arkansas

摘要

In 1977, Arkansas used the Title XX Comprehensive Annual Services Program Plan (CASPP) to initiate a department - wide planning effort within the Department of Human Services that would reflect the involvement of over 400 State officials, services providers, consumers, and members of the general public. Most of the evaluation questionnaire respondents (68 percent) rated the experience as a viable opportunity that should be continued with some refinement. Many technical problems in implementing this initial effort had been anticipated and most were successfully surmounted. However, several changes should be initiated in future efforts, including the recommendation that State regional task forces be given sufficient time to develop planning deadlines and completion dates. Some professional staff require additional training in planning techniques and regional service team members should be informed of the compatibility of the planning process with their regional responsibilities. Regional and State planning linkages need to be strengthened. Some of the planning participants held exaggerated expectations that the Title XX program could deal with all community problems despite fiscal and Federal program restraints. Community representatives were most enthusiastic about the process and its potentials. The information from the planning process was used to make the Title XX program more responsive to the community through such steps as expanding the categories of eligibility and types of services. Findings are presented in tabular form, and charts and graphs are included.