Abstract: The community-oriented needs assessment (CONA) model presented in this guide provides a practical, useable tool for community human service agencies. It provides step-by-step directions for conducting presurvey activities,setting up interviewing procedures, collecting and analyzing data, and making use of the findings of asessment within agencies and in broader community planning efforts. While the CONA model is 1 of a number of assessment models, it has been shown to perform well in practice and is relatively uncomplicated to implement. CONA model was developed for and has been used in the community mental health area, its design and function are appropriate to other community service areas. (WC).