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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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