Context: Module 7 - TheMeasurementGroup.com

Main Purpose	The purpose of this module is to provide a standardized interview method for determining agency service capacities and perceived barriers to care for HIV-positive individuals.
Description	The sample interview was used in the HRSA 5-city study of HIV-infected drug abusers in order to establish service patterns in a region before and after Ryan White CARE Act funding. A modified version is being used by six Adolescent SPNS projects. The interview asks about services capacity. It also asks about barriers to expanding capacity. The interview is conducted with between 20 and 30 service providers in an area using a sampling strategy developed by The Measurement Group to permit local providers to tap their local service networks in a fairly comprehensive way. Individual projects decide which agencies to interview. The interview could be used by projects seeking to change service systems and infrastructures in their areas by making small changes to tailor the interview for HIV-positive males and females, in general, rather than focusing on HIV-positive drug abusers. On pages 4-17, column four would either be eliminated or it could be changed to a target group of particular relevant to the individual project. Similar changes would have to be made on other items throughout the interview. The interview takes between 45-90 minutes to complete. Note that very large sections are skipped for most agencies.
Target Projects for Form	Any project seeking to change the overall service infrastructure in its catchment area for one or more target groups.
Major Evaluation Function	Documenting the way that agencies change in their capacity to treat HIV-positive individuals over time.
Citation(s)	Huba, G. J., Melchior, L. A., Staff of The Measurement Group, and HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreement Steering Committee (1995). Module 7: Agency Capacity and Needs Assessment Questionnaire. Available: www.TheMeasurementGroup.com. Culver City, California: The Measurement Group.

Agency Capacity Interview: Draft of April 11, 1996