1. Completing a Statewide Needs Assessment Plan:  Perspectives and Lessons Learned
Darlene A.G. Groomes, PhD, CRC, LPC
gracegroomes@gmail.com
Program Evaluation:  Quality Assurance Webinar
July 21, 2009 1:00pm

2. Overview 
•	The Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment Plan (SNAP) is a mandated requirement.  
•	Since 2001, the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth– Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) and Michigan Rehabilitation Council (MRC) requested of Project Excellence to provide consultation services, collaborate with partners, compile data and write a final report on the SNAP.  
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3. The Basic Process 
•	Involves obtaining and analyzing information 
•	Determines the current status and service needs of a defined population
•	A need is defined as a gap or discrepancy between a present state and a desired state (Gupta, 1999). 
•	A needs assessment must be end-focused and provide evidence required to select the most effective and efficient means-to-the-ends (Kaufman, 1993) . 

4. Defining “Needs” 
•	Professionals, experts, or views from staff 
	vs. the target population or consumers’
	perspectives (Percy-Smith, 1996; Royse, 2009). 
•	Through the process of taking into account both views, a more balanced consideration of the person’s needs is possible.  
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5. Factors Influencing Perceptions of Need (Slade, 1994) 
                Medical					Culture
		      							 Ethics 
	       Demand from Consumer               Negotiated      Professional View of Need
					   Need
Past
Experiences 						           									      Research
			       Expectations 	   Personal
      Educational	         		     Values
							 
6. The Specific Process 
•	Review previous assessment reports
•	Conduct literature review
•	Hold several meetings and discussions with collaborating partners 
•	Data collection
•	Data analysis
•	Draft report 

7. Perspectives and Idioms 
•	It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game
•	Take time to make time, make time to be there
•	Be not afraid
•	Know the Ropes: 
To understand the details.
•	Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You: 
Don't hurt anyone that helps you.
•	A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand: 
Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out. 

8. Lessons Learned 
•	Planning is critical
•	Communication with all partners is imperative
•	Allow for more time
•	Budget appropriately
•	Be kind and patient
•	Qualitative information is more engaging but avoid the pitfall of “over-interpretation of findings.”
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9. Growing Pains 
•	Developing partnerships
•	Establishing collaborative sites for focus groups
•	Budgeting
•	Developing appropriate research methodologies

10. Questions and Discussion 
•	I would like to open it up to questions and discussion at this time.
•	Questions that could not be addressed in the allotted time for the webinar will be addressed via the website: http://ncrtm.org 
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11. Helpful References 
•	Gupta, K. (1999).  A Practical Guide to Needs Assessment. San Francisco: Pfeiffer/Wiley.
•	Houser, R., Anderson, D., & Wang, J. (1995).  Participatory action needs assessment: A unified approach to needs assessment within the state/federal VR system.  Journal of Applied Rehabilitaiton Counseling, 26 (3), 55- 58.
•	Kennedy, P., & Hamilton, L.R. (1999).  The needs assessment checklist: a clinical approach to measuring outcome. Spinal Cord, 37 136-139
•	Kaufman, R.A (1993).  Needs Assessment. A User’s Guide. New Jersey: Educational Technology Publications.
•	Leist, J.C., Gilman, S.C., Cullen, R.J. & Sklar, J. (2004).  Using Baldrige criteria to meet or exceed accreditation council for continuing medical education standards. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 24, 57-63.
•	McTaggert, R. (1991). When democratic evaluation doesn’t seem democratic.  Evaluation Practice, 12, 9-21.
•	Percy-Smith, J. (1996).  Needs Assessment in Public Policy. Philadelphia: Open University Press.
•	Royse, D. (2009).  Needs Assessment in Social Work. New York: Oxford University press. 
•	Slade, M (1994).  Needs Assessment. British Journal of Psychiatry, 165, 293-296
•	Teufel-Shone N. I , Siyuja, T., Watahomigie, H.J. & Irwin, S. (2006). Community- based participatory research: conducting a formative assessment of factors that influence youth wellness in the Hualapai community. American Journal of Public Health, 96(9), 1623-1628.

12. Community of Practice
•	National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation
•	http://ncrtm.org/ 
•	2nd Annual Program Evaluation, Quality Assurance Summit
•	Title: "Expanding our Horizons“
•	Location: Denver, Colorado
•	Cost: No Registration Fee
•	Registration: www.taceregion8.org