2010 MCHENRY COUNTY KEY INFORMANTS

2010 McHenry County Healthy Community Study

Health Systems ResearchUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford

April 13, 2011

Methodology

• The Healthy Community Steering Committee selected 38 key informants who are considered local experts in education, government, human services, or business

• The questions were comparable to those asked in 2006

Methodology

• A training in interviewing and reporting techniques for LGMC interviewers by HSR staff took place prior to the beginning of the study

• In-person interviews were conducted in December 2010 & January 2011 by pairs of LGMC interviewers

• 34 out of 38 key informants (89.5%) completed the interview

Best Aspects2010 vs. 2006

Similar themes between years:o Rural-suburban livingo Family-friendlyo Abundant social services

Fewer mentions in 2010:o Cultural diversityo Approachability of local politicianso Fast-paced growth of county

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

o Latinos (14)o Seniors (9)o Low-income/working poor (8)o Mentally ill/substance abusers (8)o Developmentally disabled adults (6)o Homeless (6)o Unemployed/underemployed (5)

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

o Latinos: Respect, good paying jobs, bilingual agency staff, English instruction, food, affordable - housing, education, medical care, transportation

o Seniors: More capacity in service system, transportation, activities for active seniors, affordable housing, assisted living, nursing homes

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

o Low income/working poor: Compassion, good paying jobs, emergency services, education, affordable – housing, healthcare, dental care, daycare, transportation

o Mentally ill/substance abusers: Crisis care, crisis respite, outpatient services, transportation, youth day programs, positive role models for youth, inpatient services – detox, substance abuse, adolescent

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

o DD Adults: Housing (group homes, supportive apartments), jobs, transportation, affordable services, caregiver emotional support

o Homeless: Affordable housing, transportation, job training, mental health services, emergency assistance, acceptance of affordable housing in neighborhoods

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

o Unemployed/underemployed: Good paying jobs, affordable health and dental care, affordable daycare, transportation, job retraining

Groups Needing Increased Community Attention

2010 vs. 2006

More mentions in 2010:o Unemployed/underemployed

New to top groups in 2010:o Developmentally disabled adults

Fewer mentions in 2010:o Children & youtho Single parentso Victims of domestic violence

Health & Human Service Delivery System

Strengths:o Spirit of collaboration, cooperationo Employees – dedicated, knowledgeableo Variety of serviceso Good reputations in communityo Minimal competitiono Collaborate to avoid duplication

Health & Human Service Delivery System

Weaknesses, Gaps, Barriers:o Lack of public awareness of services,

resourceso Absence of centralized databaseo Declines in all sources of fundingo Scarcity of bilingual employeeso Limited public transportationo Residents unable to afford serviceso Stigma associated with using services

Health & Human Service Delivery System

Duplication:o Mental Health Board and United Way

encourage collaboration, not duplicationo FQHC expansion into McHenry mentioned

as duplication

Health & Human Service Delivery System

Improvements:o Integrate modern equipment and technology to

streamline operationso Use electronic media for training, CE,

coordination of careo Additional resource sharingo Centralized information system linking public

needs with available serviceso 211 Info/Referral line will address this?

Health & Human ServicesDelivery System2010 vs. 2006

o Discussions about the system were very similar between 2010 and 2006

Biggest Challenges Facing McHenry County

o Develop public transportation system (13)o Attract good paying jobs (11)o Improve access to affordable housing (9)o Encourage economic growth (7)o Protect the environment (6)

Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County

Growth & Development:o Growth has come to a halto Assure preservation of open spaces when

growth and development resumeo Monitor integrity of water supply

Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County

Transportation & Roads:o Need an affordable, reliable, expansive public

transportation systemo Better maintenance of area roads and

bridges, but lack of funding is a challenge

Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County

Education System:o More creative use of shrinking funding for

educationo Need 4-year college in the countyo More vocational training in schools

Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County

Job Development/Retention:o Need creative incentives to attract innovative

companies with good paying jobso Also need semi-skilled jobso More job training, internship programs,

mentoring

Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County

Environmental Issues:o Continue to balance growth and retain the

rural environmento Groundwater preservationo Protect farmland

Biggest Challenges Facing McHenry County

2010 vs. 2006

Different focus in 2010:o Transportation related to maintenance of

existing roads and bridges in 2010, rather than expanding roads to alleviate congestion and traffic jams in 2006

Fewer mentions in 2010:o Impact of growth on county’s resourceso Overcrowding in schoolso Rising property taxes