A rationale, background information, and a discussion of methodology are presented for a needs assessment process intended for pilot implementation at Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC). This process was designed to assess the local need for paraprofessional programs in the Human Services area, i.e., Early Childhood Associate, Mental Health Associate, Paralegal Aide, Social Services Counselor, Teacher Associate, and Mental Retardation Associate. The report first presents the assumptions, limitations, and definitions to be used in the assessment and then reviews relevant literature pointing to the lack of research into local needs assessment procedures. The proposal hypothesizes that a needs assessment process can be operationally defined and require only limited resources, that the data provided will be sufficient to permit intelligent decision-making about Human Services programs, and that the same data will be useful for academic advisement. Next, the four surveys to be conducted in the WPCC service area are described. They are: (1) a job market survey of 100 businesses and agencies; (2) a stratified survey of paraprofessional and auxiliary staff currently employed; (3) a survey of 300 WPCC students; and (4) a survey of 120 high school students. The report concludes with a discussion of procedures and data analysis techniques, and includes the survey instruments. (JP)