Lesson Plan

Comparing Community Services

Learners will identify and compare key features of local social services to determine the most suitable options for family needs and engage in peer discussions to share insights.

This lesson empowers adults to navigate community resources confidently, make informed choices for their families, and learn from peers’ experiences, strengthening family engagement and community support.

Audience

Adult Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive comparison and discussion using slides and worksheets.

Materials

Service Comparison Grid Slide Deck, Match-the-Service Matrix Worksheet, Flipchart and Markers, and Pens or Pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print enough copies of Match-the-Service Matrix Worksheet for each participant.
Review and load the Service Comparison Grid Slide Deck.
Gather flipchart and markers, pens or pencils.
Arrange seating to facilitate small-group discussions.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Greet participants and introduce the lesson objective: comparing social services features for family needs.
Briefly discuss why navigating community resources is important.
Present the agenda using the projector and Service Comparison Grid Slide Deck.

Step 2

Overview of Social Services

10 minutes

Using the Service Comparison Grid Slide Deck, present key services available (e.g., childcare support, housing assistance, healthcare access).
Highlight criteria for comparison: eligibility, cost, location, operating hours.
Encourage participants to ask clarifying questions.

Step 3

Group Activity: Feature Comparison

15 minutes

Organize participants into small groups of 3–4.
Distribute the Match-the-Service Matrix Worksheet.
Instruct groups to use the slide-deck information to complete the worksheet, matching features to services.
Circulate to support groups and answer questions.

Step 4

Peer Discussion: Best Fits

10 minutes

Ask each group to share one insight from their worksheet: which service best fits a hypothetical family scenario and why.
Facilitate discussion, noting diverse perspectives on the flipchart.
Prompt reflection on real-life application to participants’ own contexts.

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-Up

10 minutes

Invite participants to reflect on what they learned and write one action step (e.g., researching a service, contacting an agency).
Summarize key takeaways from the session.
Provide information on how to access additional community resource lists.
Thank participants and close the session.

Slide Deck

Which Service Suits You?

Service Comparison Grid

Welcome everyone to our session on comparing community services. Introduce yourself, explain that today’s focus is on using a comparison grid to evaluate services and make informed choices for family needs. Mention the 50-minute agenda and upcoming group activity.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify key local social services
• Understand comparison criteria: eligibility, cost, location, hours
• Use a structured grid to match services to family needs
• Prepare for a group activity and discussion

Highlight the goals of today’s lesson so participants know what to expect and why it matters.

Key Social Services

• Childcare Support Programs
• Housing Assistance Services
• Healthcare Access Clinics
• Financial Counseling Agencies

Briefly describe each service. Invite questions if anyone is unfamiliar with a term.

Comparison Criteria

• Eligibility: Who qualifies?
• Cost: Fees or sliding scale?
• Location: Proximity to home or work
• Operating Hours: Days and times of service
• Contact Info: How to apply or inquire

Explain why each criterion is essential when choosing a service.

Service Comparison Grid

Service	Eligibility	Cost	Location	Hours
Childcare Support	Low-income families	Sliding scale	3 community centers	M–F, 8 am–6 pm
Housing Assistance	Rent-burdened adults	Free	Central office	M–Th, 9 am–5 pm
Healthcare Clinics	Uninsured residents	$10 per visit	Multiple neighborhoods	Tu–Sa, 8 am–4 pm
Financial Counseling	Any adult household	Free	Online & in-person	Flexible hours

Walk through each row and column. Emphasize how the grid helps visualize differences quickly.

Example Comparison

Scenario: Maria is a single parent who works full time and needs reliable after-school care.

• Childcare Support: Proximity (2 miles), sliding-scale cost, hours cover 8 am–6 pm.
• Housing Assistance: Not relevant to childcare needs.

Decision: Childcare Support best fits Maria’s schedule and budget.

Use this scenario to demonstrate decision-making. Ask: Which service best meets Maria’s needs and why?

Ready for Group Activity?

Instructions:

Form groups of 3–4.
Distribute the Match-the-Service Matrix Worksheet.
Use the Service Comparison Grid to match features to services.
Discuss your choices and be prepared to share insights.

Explain the upcoming group activity: participants will complete the Match-the-Service Matrix using the grid info.

Worksheet

Match the Service Matrix Worksheet

Use information from the Service Comparison Grid Slide Deck to complete the exercises below.

Part 1: Match Features to Services

Below are features of various social services. For each feature, write the service name that best matches.

Offers free sessions online and in-person to help adults manage their budgets and debt: __________
Provides low-cost after-school care with flexible hours (M–F, 8 am–6 pm): __________
Serves uninsured residents with $10 per visit clinics across multiple neighborhoods: __________
Assists rent-burdened adults with locating affordable housing options at no cost: __________

Part 2: Scenario Application

Read each scenario below. Choose the service that best fits the family’s needs and explain your reasoning.

Scenario A:
The Martinez family is led by Ana, a single mother who works part-time and needs evening medical care for her uninsured son.
Which service should she use and why?
Answer: __________

Scenario B:
Jose, a father of two, wants to improve his family’s financial stability through budgeting advice and debt counseling.
Which service should he use and why?
Answer: __________

Part 3: Personal Reflection

Based on what you learned today, list one action step you will take this week to access a community service for your family.

Action Step: __________

Thank you for completing the worksheet. Be prepared to discuss your answers with your group.