2027 Community Needs Assessment (CNA) Plan

The 2027 CNA looks beyond what children, youth, TAYA, and families need. It also examines how they find, choose, access, and experience DCYF-funded programs and services.

We will:

• Learn what helps or prevents people from accessing services
• Understand what shapes their decisions about which programs to use
• Learn what helps them remain engaged in programs
• Use this information to improve services and guide future funding

This work builds on findings from the Citywide Community Needs Assessment (CCNA), which provides a broader view of the needs of children, youth, TAYA, and families across San Francisco.

DCYF will use several sources to understand community needs and experiences.

Review data and research

• Existing reports, data, and plans from City departments and SFUSD
• DCYF program and service data
• Trends and disparities across communities
• Findings from the 2022 CNA

Gather community input

• Focus Groups with community members
• DCYF Grantee Sessions with funded organizations
• Youth Sessions planned and led by Youth Empowerment Project cohort members

Use findings from the CCNA

DCYF will use findings from the Citywide Community Needs Assessment, including Family Summits and the Citywide Family Survey, to provide broader context about the needs of children, youth, TAYA, and families across San Francisco.

Engagement will be offered in multiple languages and formats to make participation accessible.

The CNA is organized around four areas:

• Children and youth are ready to learn and succeed in school
• Youth are ready for college, work, and productive adulthood
• Children and youth are supported by nurturing families and communities
• Children and youth are physically and emotionally healthy

These areas help us understand outcomes and identify where support is needed most.

We will hear from people who use, could use, provide, or are otherwise connected to DCYF-funded programs and services, including:

• Children and youth
• Transitional-age young adults (TAYA)
• Parents, caregivers, and other family members
• Community members
• DCYF-funded organizations and service providers

We will prioritize outreach to communities experiencing the greatest needs and barriers to accessing services.

The CNA will examine how needs, access to services, and service experiences differ across communities.

We will:

• Look at differences by race, income, neighborhood, and other factors
• Identify gaps and barriers to accessing services
• Compare where services are available with where needs are greatest

These findings will help DCYF make more equitable decisions about future programs, services, and funding.

July–August 2026
Review data and research and identify key questions.

August–December 2026
Gather input for the CNA through Focus Groups, Youth Sessions, and DCYF Grantee Sessions. Review findings from the Citywide Community Needs Assessment, including Family Summits and the Citywide Family Survey.

January–March 2027
Review the findings and prepare a draft of the 2027 Community Needs Assessment.

March 2027
Present the draft 2027 CNA to the DCYF Oversight & Advisory Committee.

March–April 2027
Revise and finalize the CNA .

May 2027
The DCYF Oversight & Advisory Committee approves the CNA.

June 2027
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approves the CNA.

After the CNA is complete:

• DCYF will share the findings with the public
• The findings will inform DCYF’s Services Allocation Plan (SAP)
• DCYF will develop funding strategies based on the needs and priorities identified
• DCYF will use those strategies to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP)

The CNA helps DCYF make future planning and funding decisions that reflect community needs and lived experiences.