Which aspect does a needs assessment typically NOT focus on?

A needs assessment primarily aims to gather information to understand the existing challenges within a community, identify resource availability, and highlight gaps in services. The focus is often on immediate or current community needs, such as identifying specific issues and recognizing what services may be lacking.

On the other hand, evaluating long-term client outcomes falls outside the direct scope of a needs assessment. This activity would typically occur after interventions have been implemented, assessing how effective those interventions have been over time. Long-term outcomes provide feedback on the efficacy of interventions, which is not the primary goal during the initial needs assessment phase. Therefore, focusing on immediate needs and available resources is crucial and aligns well with the objectives of a needs assessment, whereas long-term evaluation of outcomes takes place later in the process.