Project

WAYNE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

2016 & 2019

Location

Michigan

Practice Area

Evaluation

Service Area

Community Based Research

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

Project Overview

Wayne Metro has been serving 42 outer Wayne County communities since 1971. However, in 2012 Detroit’s Department of Human Services was defunded amid allegations of mismanagement of funds. Because of Wayne Metro’s excellent reputation for fiscal management, it was named Detroit’s interim provider of services for low-income residents and community building programs. In March of 2015, Wayne Metro was named the official permanent Community Action Agency of Detroit. As a result of this change, Wayne Metro has had to grow quickly and innovate to serve more clients efficiently while maintaining a high level of quality and fiscal responsibility.

Community Action Agencies are required to conduct a Community Needs Assessment that gathers feedback from service recipients, staff, partner agencies, and community leaders about the needs of the community. The Needs Assessment is then used to guide the organization’s strategic plan, services offered, and opportunities pursued for the next three years.