Identifying the Types of Needs

Needs assessment should play a significant role in the planning, implementation, and management of effective human services programs. Human services programs typically seek to address four different types of needs: normative, expressed, perceived (or felt), and relative (or comparative). By taking the time to complete a thorough analysis of a particular target population’s needs, it is much easier to understand the needs that are the focus of the potential program. For example, one obvious concern in one population might turn out to be merely a symptom of a deeper root problem which is masked. Needs assessments allow human services professionals to pinpoint those programs that will provide the greatest help. In program development as well as evaluation it is essential to match different types of needs to the services a program provides.

In this Discussion, you will explore the four different types of needs and formulate your own definition for each type. You will devise practical examples of each type of need for the homeless population. You will also consider the effect of designing a program to target only one type of need and compare that with one addressing a variety of needs.

To prepare for this Discussion:  

• Review the assigned section in Chapter 1 in your course textand think about the different types of questions you would need to ask to prepare for a needs assessment.
• Review Chapter 2 in your course textand consider how the five stages in program planning help structure program design. Think of the consequences of failing to adequately address any of the steps.
• Review Chapter 4 in your course textand think about the four different perspectives on need and how they impact the planning process.
• Review the section “Needs” in the text Poverty: An International Glossary and think about how the four categories described correspond to what is in your textbook.
• Consider the homeless population in your own community. Think about how you might determine the normative, expressed, perceived, and relative needs of this population.

With these thoughts in mind:

• Do a brief description of the homeless population in your community or the community you selected. Then, explain the normative, expressed, perceived, and relative needs of this population. Finally, explain which type of need you think is the most important to address in a human services program for the homeless. Justify your response with references to the Learning Resources.