Needs Assessment (NA) is commonly conducted by agencies or institutions for assessing needs related to program improvement or the provision of services. When this type of NA is conducted at the individual agency or organizational level, the results are critical input for program/ strategic planning or for looking at the implementation of technical assistance by agencies. The head start needs assessment national analysis project is a case of the second situation. This presentation begins with an overview of the context and then proceeds into methodological issues and concerns encountered by conducting needs assessment in a national context. Lessons learned through the example case will be discussed. Participants' views on NA methodological challenges and possible resolutions will be incorporated into the presentation. #needsassessmentmethodology #NeedsAssessment #2011Conference #headstartprograms