National Women Consumers/Survivors Needs
Assessment Survey

The qualitative phase of this project has been completed. Focus groups were conducted with African-American, Latina, and Caucasian women consumers in the public system. The information gathered from these groups was reviewed by a Working Group of twelve women consumers and other stakeholders from across the country. Through a consensus building process, they worked with project staff in categorizing findings into eight major theme areas of particular concern for female public mental health consumers: rehabilitation and recovery; parenting; relationships; safety and abuse; vocational services and employment; finances; housing and independent living; and physical health. Project staff compiled the focus group findings into a visually-appealing and user-friendly booklet, called Having Our Say: Women Mental Health Consumers/Survivors Identify their Needs and Strengths, regarding the self-identified needs of women consumers for national dissemination and educational purposes. The booklet also was reviewed by the Working Group for consumer sensitivity, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of gender-specific needs, unique needs of women of color, strategies to address women's special needs, and gaps or areas for development in the overall project. This popular booklet is one of the most widely requested resources in the UIC NRTC's history.

The second phase of the project is nearing completion.  As a result of the focus groups and a participatory action research process, Working Group members created a large pool of items for potential inclusion in the Women's Needs Assessment (WNA) Protocol. Project staff are using the items co-identified with the Working Group to develop an assessment protocol, which is modularized, including the following sections:

• Parenting and child-rearing
• Relationships (intimate and friendships)
• Safety and abuse
• Financial concerns
• Vocational concerns
• Housing
• Physical health
• Services/Supports
• Discrimination/Stigma
• Recovery

Standard needs assessment methodology will be utilized in the protocol, with needs measured on three levels: 1) whether or not a woman has needs in each domain, 2) who is meeting these needs, if she has them, and 3) levels of satisfaction with the type and amount of help received.  An administration manual detailing how to utilize the WNA Protocol in a variety of settings and capacities also is nearing completion.

Products:

If you are interested in obtaining copies of the following materials or have any questions about the Women's Needs Assessment, please email
 Jessica Jonikas, M.A., or phone her at (312) 413.4522.