Western Regional CAC Director Tool Kit

Needs and Feasibilty Study

Conducting a Needs and Sustainability Study

A study to determine the need for services and the feasibility of offering those services through a satellite CAC does not have to be complicated or expensive to conduct.  The basic components of a study are:

 
  • Description of the CAC model and the benefits to the child, their family, and the community.
  • Description of the area served by the satellite center.
  • A description of unmet needs.
  • The impact of having those needs unmet.
  • The plan for addressing those needs.
  • How key stakeholders have been involved in the development of the satellite.
  • Resources that will be available for the operation of the center and how the satellite center will be sustained.
  • Obstacles that may exist and the plan to address them.
*Note: for Accredited CACs that have an existing satellite center, a formal needs assessment may not have been done at the time the satellite center was developed.  In this case, the applicant must describe the actions taken at the time to ensure that the community supported the plan and the caseload warranted a satellite.
                           

Description of the CAC model and the Benefits to the Child, their Family, and the Community.
This section should include a description of how bringing the CAC model to the satellite community will benefit the children, families, and community.  What will change as a result of the satellite center opening in this community?

Description of the Service Coverage Area
This should include information about the location of the center, demographics, proximity to the existing center, what other services exist, and a brief history of the Host CAC’s involvement in that county.  You can use the link below to access census data for your community.  You can also contact other local resources such as United Way, City or County planning departments, or school districts to access demographic and other information about your service coverage area.

Unmet Needs
This section of the plan should describe the situation you want to improve by having a satellite center.  Examples of unmet needs that could be met by having a satellite center might include:

  •  Local access to trained professionals (i.e., forensic interviewer, trauma-informed therapy, medical, etc).
  • A coordinated multidisciplinary approach.
  • A child-friendly location for interviews and service provision.
  • Low rates of reporting of child sexual abuse.
  • Lack of coordination in investigating specific types of abuse or neglect (drug endangered, trafficking, child fatalities, sexual abuse, etc.)
 
Impact of Unmet Needs
This section of the plan should address the impact of unmet needs in your community. Examples of unmet needs might include:
  • Families are reluctant to have children interviewed in adult settings.
  • Children are interviewed by individuals who are not trained to interview children, resulting in fewer disclosures and potentially more trauma to the children.
  • A lack of coordinated services means fewer children receive follow up therapy or quality medical care.
  • There is a high rate of recantation.
  • There is a low rate of reporting by professionals and community members.
  • Reports of abuse are not being investigated.
 
Plan for Addressing Identified Needs
This section of the plan speaks to your plan to use the satellite center to address the needs identified. Some areas to address include:
  • How will having a satellite center meet some of the needs you have identified?
  • How have you engaged key stakeholders in the discussion and planning for the satellite?
  • What is the timeline for developing and establishing the satellite center?
Key Stakeholders
Identify the key stakeholders from the community in which the satellite will be located that you have engaged in the planning process.  Examples of stakeholders include:·
  • Law Enforcement (Sheriff, Chief of Police)
  • Prosecutor or District Attorney
  • Child Welfare Administrators
  • Medical providers
  • System- and Community-based Advocates
  • Mental Health Providers
  • Elected Officials
  • Potential Funders (United Way, Community Foundation, Service Organizations)
  • Board of Directors of Host CAC
 
Resources Available and Sustainability

Describe the resources available to establish and sustain the satellite center, what commitments have been made by key stakeholders, and plans to access and develop the resources needed to operate the satellite center.  Include resources the Host CAC will provide.

Challenges or Obstacles

Describe any challenges or obstacles to establishing and sustaining a satellite center and your plan for addressing them.
Required Attachment: Your completed Need and Feasibility Study will be Attachment 9 of the NCA Satellite Application.   In addition to including your Needs and Feasibility Study as an attachment, sections 8 – 10 and 12 of the narrative ask about information you collected as part of your study.

Downloads

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Links

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U.S. Census website for local demographic information