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Haldimand-Norfolk Health & Social Services Releases 2019 Community Needs Assessment Report

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health & Social Services division announces the release of the Community Needs Assessment Report, a report of the results of a comprehensive survey undertaken in 2019. The goal of the community needs assessment (CNA) was to help the Haldimand-Norfolk Health and Social Services (HNHSS) division to identity the needs and service gaps within Haldimand and Norfolk.

The assessment involved a study of existing literature and available data; a survey about HNHSS programs and services, including how they are accessed and used; and focus groups with key informants from various partner agencies within both counties.

 

In total, 427 responses were included from the survey, which was available in English, French, Spanish and Low-German. The survey was accessible both online and off.  

 

The purpose of the focus groups with priority population groups and the key informant interviews was to intentionally elicit and incorporate lived-experiences that might not otherwise be included from the survey.

 

“These research findings highlight the importance of health and social services topics in the community and the priorities of community members,” said Dr. Katherine Bishop-Williams, program evaluator, and research lead on the project. “Now, the findings from the Community Needs Assessment enable the Health and Social Services Division to tailor programming to meet these priorities.”

 

The main findings were the identification of three key themes – need for more mental health and addictions supports; physical health supports, especially targeting cancer and nutrition; and affordable housing.

 

The other major finding was that poverty cuts across all identified themes, particularly the impacts on health and well-being.
“The CNA would not have been possible without the contributions of community agencies, survey participants, and interviewees who shared thoughtful and insightful comments. We are grateful to all who participated,” said Chimere Okoronkwo, director of the Quality, Planning, Accountability and Performance team, which oversaw the project.