Resource Library

The Concept of Need. Once problems have been identified and defined, they have to be translated into needs (eventually the needs will be translated into services or other interventions) that are to be addressed through the planning process. As a concept, need is not only difficult to define but, once defined, difficult to measure. One of the first official definitions in the human services arena was introduced in 1974. when the federal government consolidated a number of
human service programs through the creation of the Social Service Block Grant.