Respond to classmate:

1. What internal and external issues have produced the need for organizational change?

• Internal issues that I observed are the increased number of clients who are experiencing behavioral issues/other disabilities, clients who need assistance, and a lack of resources and help for those who are uninsured. Another internal issue I observed is the overworked staff who are burned out and not being compensated for their overtime.
• The external issue observed is that people are unwilling to make police reports due to the skepticism that police officers exhibit. Clients do not believe that the government can bring justice to the victims by prosecuting the alleged perpetrators. Concerns have been raised about the delays in the collection of evidence.
• With internal and external concerns, some changes must be made indefinitely. There needs to be an increase in the demand for services, there needs to be compassion/sympathy given for the victims, and there needs to be changes made to the system regarding sexual assault.

1. What additional information would you need to assess the situation before you develop a plan of action?

Many additional pieces of information are needed to assess the situation before developing a plan of action.

• The staff caseload needs to be assessed. If there is no staff to work on these cases, the organization will be in trouble. It is important to evaluate this to determine whether more people need to be hired and consider a pay increase.
• Funding and resources. There needs to be something in place for the uninsured.
• Speaking with clients to better understand their perceptions and concerns so these things can be addressed.
• Obtaining demographic data to determine if a pattern may contribute to increased assaults.
• Working with other organizations. Networking is essential, and by working with other organizations, an organization can learn from others how to better serve its clientele and form partnerships.

1. Who are the key players you would need to involve?

• The key players needed to be involved are, first and foremost, the crisis center staff members. Mental health centers should also be involved since many of the clients who are seeking assistance are experiencing behavioral issues and disabilities. The court system, Law Enforcement, and victims should also be involved.

1. What theories and concepts might help you understand this situation, develop change goals, and create a strategy for organizational change?

• I would use the theory of change model for this situation. This model will help with setting goals, tactics, etc. As mentioned, the financial department needs to be assessed to determine if there are enough funds to hire more employees. More resources, such as new programs, may need to be created to assist women experiencing behavioral health issues. Addressing the criminal justice system and Law Enforcement to prosecute alleged perpetrators and for Law Enforcement to be supportive when people are outcrying to them about assaults. Tackling these things can help create a positive change.

1. How might the demographic and cultural backgrounds of the staff members, clients, and community influence your assessment of the change process?

• The demographic and cultural backgrounds of the staff members, clients, and community influence the assessment of the change process by seeing if there is some pattern or trend. Are specific types of women being assaulted, what kind of area has the most assaults, etc.? At this crisis center, the victims are predominantly women. Gender may play a role in staff and Law Enforcement regarding comfortability with reporting. Some women may prefer to outcry to a woman or vice versa. If a male officer is the one who may be taking a statement from the female victim, the female victim may be reluctant to give her statement.