Who Conducts the Self-Assessment?
A committee or workgroup should oversee the implementation of the self-assessment. This could be the same group that recommended the self-assessment or it could be a newly convened group. A group of five to ten is suggested and should include PLWH and HIV medical and support service providers, as well as people with expertise in needs assessment methodology, health services planning, and evaluation. Attention to racial, ethnic, gender, diversity and geographic representation is critical. Some of the group should be drawn from existing planning body membership, but it may be useful to go outside the planning body for specific expertise. In general, it is desirable to include a grantee representative in order to promote a cooperative and collaborative relationship. It is not advisable to have the person(s) directly responsible for the needs assessment lead this self-assessment effort because it may be difficult for that individual to be objective. On the other hand, their participation i
