Global Considerations for Local Social Problems

Running head: COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 1

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 6

Name:

Course: HUMN 6587

Professor: Dr. Lydia Forsythe

Problem Statement

Even though Oahu, Hawaii, is a paradise, living there comes at a price. This is because it is known for its stark difference in income among its residents. In essence, more than 30% of residents live below the poverty line (Vorsino 2015). Furthermore, 9.4% of Native Hawaiians are unemployment. Similarly, the Native Hawaiians and other pacific islanders are overrepresented by 210% of the homeless population in Oahu, Hawaii; According to research conducted by the Partners in Care local coalition, which aims to eliminate homelessness in Oahu (Chang and Seitz 2021). As a result, this means that unemployment and homelessness are the leading cause of poverty among Native Hawaiians. Consequently, this report develops a community needs assessment plan to address unemployment and homelessness among Native Hawaiians in Oahu, Hawaii.

Prioritized Strategies

1. Integrate support and promote financial security

· Carry Out the Strategy. This strategy is implemented in three steps. The first step is to understand the financial needs and challenges of the poor Native Hawaiians. The needs and challenges may be due to loss of income to households, uncertain economic future, and stress and anxiety. The second step is to develop an appropriate tool to address the financial needs. For instance, the poor Native Hawaiians with volatile income can benefit from earned wage access programs. This will help them align the timing of their income with anticipated or unanticipated expenses. The last step is to ensure that these tools are easy to access and use by the poor Native Hawaiians. Consequently, the financial tools become effective (Presidents Advisory Council on Financial Capability & Presidents Advisory Council on Financial, 2015).

· Identify Data to Carry Out the Strategy. Review similar programs on earned wage access to learning on how to manage income. Also, review other financial education programs for youth that have proven successful in other communities such as San Francisco.

· Critique the Strategy. The goals are measured to determine whether they are achievable and implementable, provided with conflicting pressure for time and money. The National Endowment for Financial Education customizable evaluation toolkit is used. It offers a variety of methods to measure the impact of the initiatives and programs. It is available at: http://toolkit.nefe.org/

2. Embrace education system reforms

· Carry Out the Strategy. To implement the education system reform, three steps are followed to create a more thoughtful, well-informed, and sustained process that includes continuous improvement. The first step is to conduct a needs assessment. The main idea is to create a data-driven process to recognize the education's weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities. Secondly, setting the benchmarks and goals for the schools and the broader school community. Lastly, implement a continuous improvement focus (Guidelines for Comprehensive School Reform, 2013).

· Identify Data to Carry Out the Strategy. Review the bills affecting teaching and teachers in the area. The data should be on the recruitment and retention and the incentives for the teacher leadership. Visit the schools in Oahu, Hawaii, to assess its climate. The data collected should focus on whether the state provides a secure infrastructure that does not interfere with the learning environment. Review the state education policy. Does the curriculum provide clear education to workforce pathways?

· Critique the Strategy. The success of this strategy should be measured using both long-term and short-term metrics. The short terms metrics include the test scores and attendance. In contrast, the long-term metrics include the rate of college graduates that get accepted into the workforce, the school suspension, and the graduation rate.

3. Advocate for reforms in the justice system

· Carry Out the Strategy. This strategy can be implemented by the following steps. The first step is by advocating fair and effective policing practices which ensure equal justice. Secondly, alternatives to incarceration should also be considered in promoting community safety. Thirdly, advocate for successful reintegration. The released persons should be given a chance to be valuable members of society. Lastly, to reduce poverty levels in Oahu, Hawaii, the strategy should remove the criminalization of poverty. Therefore, concentrating the low-income persons into the criminal justice system should be replaced by increasing the opportunities to succeed (Transforming the System, n.d.).

· Identify Data to Carry Out the Strategy. Review the different forms of advocating for judicial system reform. They include court monitoring, which is used to recognize the needed improvement in judicial response, and the dedicated courts and processes used to increase victims' access to the resources. Also, review the 2008 United Nations expert group report. It provides information on reforming the judicial system.

· Critique the Strategy. The effectiveness of the strategy is measured through the economic and social impact of access to justice. Hence, the success of advocating for judicial reform can reduce the poverty levels in Oahu, Hawaii. In addition, it can be measured by metrics such as the rate of crimes and recidivism.

References

Chang, Williamson, and Abbey Seitz. 2021. "It's Time to Acknowledge Native Hawaiians' Special Right to Housing - Honolulu Civil Beat." January 8, 2021. https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/01/its-time-to-acknowledge-native-hawaiians-special-right-to-housing/. Guidelines for comprehensive school reform. (2013, April 24). https://www.readingrockets.org/article/guidelines-comprehensive-school-reform

Guidelines for comprehensive school reform. (2013, April 24). https://www.readingrockets.org/article/guidelines-comprehensive-school-reform

Presidents Advisory Council on Financial Capability, & Presidents Advisory Council on Financial. (2015). Creating Financially Capable Communities: A Resource Guide. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Transforming the System. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://transformingthesystem.org/

Vorsino, Mary. 2015. "Census: Oahu Has State's Highest Concentrations of Rich and Poor." KHNL/KGMB. December 5, 2015. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/30673084/census-figures-show-oahu-has-states-starkest-income-differences/.