Intended for agencies concerned with planning for service delivery to Virginia's children and youth, the last in a series of four documents provides an overview of needs assessment. An introductory section includes discussions of what a needs assessment is and why it should be conducted, what has already been done in the field and is presently being attempted, and sources of information and assistance. In Section II, several alternative methods of needs assessment are offered and the process for designing and implementing a needs assessment is outlined. A third section identifies the variables and circumstances to be considered in the implementation of a needs assessment on a statewide basis and compares the ideal circumstances for conducting a needs assessment with the actual implementation of such an assessment in Virginia. The final section on the results of a needs assessment examines three important considerations: what the results of the assessment will provide, who they will effect, and who wants and/or needs to know the results. (SBH)