Needs assessment of community-based services for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families: Part 1. A conceptual model
- Cite this article as:
- Epstein, M.H., Quinn, K., Cumblad, C. et al. The Journal of Mental Health Administration (1996) 23: 418. doi:10.1007/BF02521026
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Communities throughout the nation are attempting to develop comprehensive systems of community-based, interagency care for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families. Needs assessment has been identified as a key component of these initiatives. A needs assessment provides system planners with the data needed to make informed decisions with regard to improving the current system of care. In this first of a two-article series, an overview is presented of a model needs assessment designed for implementation by an interagency coalition interested in developing a comprehensive system of community-based services for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families. Major components of the model include foundations for needs assessment, data collection, and data utilization.