Using Existing Data in Your Needs Assessment

• Are you eager to begin prevention programming, but concerned by the multiple needs of young people in your community and the multiple programs available to address those needs?

• Do you hear different opinions from youth, family members, school personnel, and community leaders about where to target your prevention efforts?

• Are you concerned about the time and resources that may be required to obtain a complete picture of what's going on in your community?

• Would you like some concrete suggestions for how to identify the needs of local youth so that you can select appropriate prevention strategies and programs?

If you answered YES to these questions, then this online workshop is for you!

Using Existing Data to Inform Prevention Program Selection provides tools and resources to help you locate and use available local, state, and national data to determine drug and violence prevention priorities and select prevention programs for your schools and communities. It targets middle school coordinators (MSCs) in the early stages of the strategic planning process, as well as those who would like to further refine their understanding of local needs. As a participant in this workshop, you will have the opportunity to review materials, participate in a structured activity, discuss course content with others, and link to additional resources.

You are ready to begin this workshop if you have (1) received confirmation of your status as an active participant or an auditor; (2) visited the Orientation to Online Events website to ensure that you and your computer are prepared for this event, and (3) completed the following steps:

First		Go to the Introduction for an overview of the Training Center's Online Continuing Education Plan.
Next		Visit What to Expect for an event summary, description of site layout, and instructions for where to go if you need help.
Finally		Review the Event Schedule to find out what you will be doing each day.

Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to start this event. Please plan on spending approximately one hour each day reading and reflecting on the materials. Have fun!