how to write your needs assessment report
HOW TO WRITE YOUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT
Preparing your needs assessment report according to these guidelines will help you organize your thoughts about what is needed in your local area and what you might do as a DSB to respond to the needs you've identified. It will also present the information you've obtained in a format that can be easily used at the state level. Your report does not need to be long, but it does need to be complete, and should not require the reader to refer to other documents.
Your report should consist of the following sections:
A. INTRODUCTION
Description of DSB - name; what jurisdictions included; members; brief history.
Other information on DSB as desired, such as history of region; economic, historical, geographic, factors affecting region; documents from local planning departments.
B. PURPOSE
Statement of the purpose of the needs assessment. Keep in mind that the reason for each DSB doing its own needs assessment is that locally-obtained information on the needs of people with disabilities in its own area is of great help to a DSB when setting priorities, planning DSB activities, obtaining support from local government, etc. The DSB needs assessments are also important to state-level agencies or organizations, as they provide much needed information about needs, service gaps, and systems issues across the state.
C. DATA COLLECTION
Description of the methods you used to obtain information. Include copies of any forms you used (these often are put into an Appendix).
Most of the DSBs have collected data using some combination of the following methods:
1. Interviewing service providers (most often, via a written survey form) about services, number of clients, who their clients are, respondent's opinions about needs, etc.
2. Interviewing local government officials (again, via a written survey form).
3. Soliciting comments from members of the public, through public meetings, focus groups, notices in local newspapers, advisory
Preparing your needs assessment report according to these guidelines will help you organize your thoughts about what is needed in your local area and what you might do as a DSB to respond to the needs you've identified. It will also present the information you've obtained in a format that can be easily used at the state level. Your report does not need to be long, but it does need to be complete, and should not require the reader to refer to other documents.
Your report should consist of the following sections:
A. INTRODUCTION
Description of DSB - name; what jurisdictions included; members; brief history.
Other information on DSB as desired, such as history of region; economic, historical, geographic, factors affecting region; documents from local planning departments.
B. PURPOSE
Statement of the purpose of the needs assessment. Keep in mind that the reason for each DSB doing its own needs assessment is that locally-obtained information on the needs of people with disabilities in its own area is of great help to a DSB when setting priorities, planning DSB activities, obtaining support from local government, etc. The DSB needs assessments are also important to state-level agencies or organizations, as they provide much needed information about needs, service gaps, and systems issues across the state.
C. DATA COLLECTION
Description of the methods you used to obtain information. Include copies of any forms you used (these often are put into an Appendix).
Most of the DSBs have collected data using some combination of the following methods:
1. Interviewing service providers (most often, via a written survey form) about services, number of clients, who their clients are, respondent's opinions about needs, etc.
2. Interviewing local government officials (again, via a written survey form).
3. Soliciting comments from members of the public, through public meetings, focus groups, notices in local newspapers, advisory