Aligning Program Activities with Participant Needs and Interests

Introduction:

Economic empowerment looks different for everyone. It is essential that economic opportunity programs consider the needs, desires, and goals of program participants. Understanding what participants identify as their needs and what they hope to accomplish through the program is critical to developing impactful economic empowerment programs that are relevant to potential participants. Incorporating participant perspectives in shaping program objectives, strategies, systems, and culture is essential for increasing the likelihood of achieving desired program outcomes. ⁱ

Some strategies to understand participants’ goals include 1) establishing a process for gathering information from participants prior to program participation about what they need and hope to accomplish, such as in referral forms, intake, and/or one-on-one Q&A sessions, and 2) offering regular opportunities for participant feedback during and after their participation in programs (e.g. evaluation forms or exit interviews). This section of our toolkit offers resources for these activities.

Does your program give participants an opportunity to articulate their own financial and employment goals?

Does your program ask participants about the support they need to accomplish those goals?

Does your organization have a process to gather participant feedback about your program and to use that feedback to inform decision-making?

Self-Assessment Tool:

Understanding Participants’ Needs and Goals

Related Resources:

Economic Empowerment Baseline Needs Assessment

A discussion guide to understand what a participant’s short- and longer-term economic priorities and goals are, as well as any pressing needs that must be met in order to meaningfully participate in economic empowerment programs.

Sample Participant Feedback Form

To provide the best possible services, we would like to know how much our program helped you meet your financial and employment goals.

My Transferrable Skills and Career Interests: A Worksheet for Participants

A conversation guide, ideal for participants who have expressed a desire to obtain or change employment.

Employment Readiness Assessment

A conversation guide, ideal for participants who have expressed a desire to obtain or change employment.

My Financial Situation

A discussion guide designed to help staff understand a participant’s financial experience and goals.

Economic Safety Planning Tip Sheet

An overview of how to support participants in economic safety planning.

Assessment of Needs Related to Economic Empowerment Program Participation

A conversation guide to understand a participant’s needs related to program participation.

Citations

i Hilligoss B, Song PH, McAlearney AS. (2017). Aligning for accountable care: Strategic practices for change in accountable care organizations. Health Care Management Review, 42(3):192–202. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000110.