Assessing Family Needs: The First Step in Providing Family-Focused Intervention

Abstract

The role the family plays in early childhood and infant intervention programs is currently in transition. Researchers and practitioners are calling for changes in the ways in which programs assess family needs, design interventions, and evaluate program success. This article reviews a number of issues related to family assessment as part of their involvement in early intervention programs. The authors recommend the inclusion of family needs assessment as a first step in developing family-focused interventions. Suggestions for the design, selection, and use of needs assessment are made.