1. INTRODUCTION TO NEEDS ASSESSMENTS
By Lizzette Rojas, Ph.D.
and Flordeliz Serpa, Ph.D.
Professional Research and Evaluation Group

2. Lizzette Rojas, Ph.D.
Dr. Rojas has over seven years of experience in the area of evaluation research of health and social services programs. She is currently the Deputy Director of Professional Research and Evaluation Group.

3. Flordeliz Serpa, Ph.D.
Dr. Serpa is an accomplished researcher and program evaluator. She has applied her skills to organizations in both the public and private sectors. At this time, Dr. Serpa is the Director of Professional Research and Evaluation Group.

4. Learning Objectives Learn how to plan a needs assessment
Learn how to collect and analyze data
Learn to use the findings within the organization

5. Needs Assessments First stage in program implementation
Generates usable information in the planning of services and the diagnosis or identification of problems

6. Application Of Needs Assessments
Planning and resource allocation
Program planning, management, and development
Program evaluation
Sociopolitical change

7. Planning For Data Collection
Determination of available resources
Selection of interviewers
Training of interviewers

8. Data Collection And Analysis
Demographic information of target area
Information from key informants
Face-to-face interviews with subjects of the target area

9. Using The Information
May impact the planning and implementation of services
Transmission to service providers of consumer’s needs or concerns
Informational link between consumers and service providers

10. Using The Information
Provider is responsible for developing a program to reduce identified need
Specific actions should result from the needs assessments

11. Suggested Readings
Conducting Needs Assessments by Fernando I. Soriano, Sage Publications, 1995
Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments by Belle R. Witkin, Sage Publications, 1995