Identify the strategies for initiating change and methods of unfreezing and refreezing.

You are a community health worker who has recently been awarded a grant from the commonwealth department of health for three years to establish a drug education program in an inner city suburb which is a known gathering point for drug addicts. The goal is to decrease rates of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis but more importantly, to decrease rates of drug use and overdose. The project will be evaluated at the end of the grant to determine whether continued funding is warranted. As project director, you have the funding to choose and hire four additional employees and manage the program as you desire.
The average age of those likely to use the service is 15 years, and most live on the streets. This suburb is known to have a high crime rate. Police patrols are more frequent than in previous years but petty theft, burglaries, assaults and prostitution are common. High unemployment rates are a feature of this suburb.
The local community has just been advised that the project is to commence shortly. They are becoming increasingly ‘agitated’ about the effects that the introduction of such a program may have on their local area. While accepting that there is a high proportion of drug addicts frequenting the area at the moment, they are concerned that raising the awareness of this community as a ‘safe haven’ may encourage even more individuals to congregate in the area, particularly during the day. The state department of health has endeavoured to counter this argument by organising several open forums where the issues can be discussed and fears allayed. This seems to have encouraged open debate but diminished acceptance of the proposal.
There are three primary schools in close proximity to the proposed site and a private co-educational high school two blocks away. It is the parents of children attending this school who appear to be most vocal. Their objections have increased since two children were expelled for drug-related offences. The local churches have thus far not contributed to the debate nor ventured any opinion on the proposal. To date, they have not become involved in providing any type of ‘social welfare’ to those who call the streets ‘home’.
All questions are to be answered
1. Identify the restraining and driving forces. Determine some strategies that will increase or decrease these forces as appropriate.
2. Identify the strategies for initiating change and methods of unfreezing and refreezing.
3. Identify short and long-term goals which are realistic and achievable for the three year period in relation to:
(i) the organisation
(ii) yourself
4. What sort of staff could you employ to increase the driving forces?