MSW-6903CA V1

Uehara, E.S., Barth, R.P., Catalano, R.F., Hawkins, J.D., Kemp, S.P., Nurius, P.S.,...Sherraden, M. (2014, May). Identifying and tackling grand challenges for social work. American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
The Grand Challenges for Social Work are designed to focus a world of thought and action on the most compelling and critical social issues of our day (American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, 2014). Each grand challenge is a broad but discrete concept where social work expertise and leadership can be The Grand Challenges for Social Work include the following: 1. Maximize productive and meaningful activity throughout life 2. Ensure all youth get a good and healthy start 3. Reduce isolation and loneliness 4. Stop family violence 5. End homelessness 6. Create greater healthy equity 7. Safely reduce our incarcerated population 8. Strengthen financial security 9. End racial injustice 10. Strengthen social responses to environmental changes 11. Reverse extreme inequality 12. Harness digital technology for social good (American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, 2014).

McLean, T. (2016). Social Problems: Continuity and Change. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing.
This text provides a working definition and conceptualization of what a social problem is considered to be. Read the first chapter in its entirety. For your assignment, read the chapter that most closely aligns with your chosen social problem. Be sure to pay attention to how the social problem is being addressed and what the opportunities for change may be. 

Center for Community Health and Development. (2024). Section 1. Developing a plan for assessing local needs and resources. The Community Tool Box.

Center for Community Health and Development. (2024). Section 19. Using public records and archival data. The Community Tool Box.

Zanti, S., & Culhane, D. (2022). A three-phase methodology for conducting equity-focused needs assessments. Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance, 46(5), 414–434.
This resource highlights inequities in needs assessments and proposes methods to ensure needs assessments are designed intentionally to promote equity.

Lukelelo, N., Roman, N. & Schenck, C. (2023). A needs assessment for social work interventions for children affected by HIV and Aids. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 59(2).
Read an international perspective on conducting a needs assessment with a special population.

Statista. (n.d.)
This website is helpful as you can easily find data about the scale and scope of a social problem.