The Adults Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA) is a versatile assessment designed to aid in decision-making, such as determining the appropriate level of care and monitoring outcomes. The ANSA was developed to facilitate connection between the assessment process and the development of individualized service plans including the application of evidence-based practices. The ANSA utilizes a rating scale to summarize key areas concerning the adult’s needs and identifies the strengths of the adult and their parents/caregivers (if relevant). The ANSA includes seven subscales: Acculturation, Behavioral Health Needs, Life Domain Functioning, Mental Health- Behavioral/Emotional Needs, Risk Behaviors, Strengths, and Family/Caregiver Strengths and Needs (optional).

Clinician-administered to adult client and their caregiver/family (if applicable)

Basic core items (49 items), organized by domain, are rated for all individuals. The optional Family/Caregiver Strengths and Needs subscale includes 6 additional items, generating a total of 55 items.

21+

Typically completed every six months

Each item on the ANSA is scored on a 0 to 3 Likert-type scale, with each respective item having its own detailed response options. All item response options can be understood as corresponding to the action levels described below, with distinct interpretations for needs versus strengths.

Rating needs

Rating strengths

ANSA items that are originally rated a ‘2’ or ‘3’ are monitored over time to assess positive progress, which means moving to a rating of ‘0’ or ‘1’ (i.e., resolved need, built strength).

The ANSA includes seven subscales/domains: Acculturation, Behavioral Health Needs, Life Domain Functioning, Mental Health- Behavioral/Emotional Needs, Risk Behaviors, Strengths, and Family/Caregiver Strengths and Needs (optional). Dimension scores are generated by summing items within each of the domains (Behavioral/Emotional Needs, Risk Behaviors, etc.). These scores can be compared over the course of treatment.

For ease of use the extension modules are not included in Blueprint, and you will find only the 55 core items. You may note some language differences due to the versioning changes with each iteration of the ANSA.

Lyons, J. (1999). Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment: an information integration tool for adults with mental health challenges, Manual. Winnetka, IL: Praed Foundation.

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