On Wed, 8 May 1996 21:28:37 -0400 Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD wrote: I'd love to hear from others who have used or designed needs assessments or outcome evaluations for community health programs. I look forward to great discussions! You may find the following article of interest. I enclose the summary... Raphael, D. & Steinmetz, B. (1995). Assessing the knowledge and skill needs of community-based health promoters. Health Promotion International, 19, 305-315. Development and Application of a Process for Assessing the Knowledge and Skill Needs of Community-Based Health Promoters Dennis Raphael Department of Behavioural Science and Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto Brenda Steinmetz Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto Key Words: Needs Analysis, Community-Based Health Promotion Mailing Address: Dr. Dennis Raphael, Department of Behavioural Science, University of Toronto, McMurrich Building, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 Summary Community-based health promoters require a range of complex skills. As part of its ongoing support to five community-based health promotion programs, the Health Promotion Branch of the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Health, commissioned a study to identify knowledge and skills needs in these programs and assess whether resources were available to meet these needs. A Needs Analysis Questionnaire was developed and administered to coordinators, staff, board members, and volunteers at 23 health promotion sites. Key informant interviews with site coordinators and focus group interviews of site staff, board members, and volunteers were carried out. The needs analysis process is presented, as are illustrative findings. Potential applications of the needs analysis procedures are considered. Dennis Raphael, Ph.D., C.Psych. Associate Professor University of Toronto Division of Community Health Faculty of Medicine Department of Behavioural Science McMurrich Building, Room 101 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 Tel: (416) 978-7567 Fax: (416) 978-2087 E-Mail: [log in to unmask]