What should programs do to ensure they are meeting the needs of their community?

To effectively meet the needs of their community, programs should conduct surveys to gather family feedback. Engaging directly with families provides valuable insights into their preferences, concerns, and expectations, enabling programs to tailor their offerings to align with what the community actually desires. This participatory approach fosters a sense of ownership among families and encourages them to feel invested in the program's success. By analyzing survey results, programs can identify areas for improvement, assess community interests, and make informed decisions that enhance their effectiveness and relevance.

In contrast, maintaining the status quo without changes ignores the evolving needs and dynamics of the community, potentially leading to a disconnect between the program and its participants. Solely focusing on internal evaluations limits the perspective to an organization's intrinsic view, thereby missing critical external feedback. Offering limited activities to avoid overcommitment can deprive participants of diverse experiences and opportunities to engage, ultimately undermining the program's ability to address broader community needs.