Community Human Service Needs Study of York County

Department of Social Work

Winthrop University

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the following sponsors for their

Investment in the Community Needs Study:

• City of Rock Hill

• Springs Industries

• York County Government

Acknowledgements

• Ted Matthews & United Way Board of Directors

• United Way Staff

• Community Needs Study Steering Committee

• Ron Green & Paul Dezendorf - Winthrop

• Winthrop social work students – SCWK 433

• Scott Huffman & Adam Smith – Winthrop University Survey Research Lab

• Mike Bremseth – data analysis

• Jo Koster – copy editing

Outline of Presentation

• Methodology

• Community Perceptions

• Top Seven Needs-Countywide from Telephone Survey

• Experience with Services

• Breakdown of Those not Obtaining Help

• Next Steps

Methodology

• Telephone Survey

• Key Leader Interviews

• Community Forums

• Secondary Data

• Data Analysis

Telephone Survey

• A random sample of households was used

• Responses from 406 households in the East

• Responses from 405 households in the West

• 2,413 households contacted to produce these responses

• 33.6% response rate

• African American (-3%) & Hispanic American (-.8%) slightly under-represented

• College educated slightly over-represented (+4%)

• 2.6% of households have no phone

• Results are conservative

Telephone Survey - Questions

• Perception of community needs

• Identification of needs in household

• Information related to seeking help for most serious needs

• Experience with service system

• Demographic data

Key Leader Interviews

• 15 leaders interviewed

• City, county government

• Education systems

• Political leaders

• Service system leaders

Key Leader Interviews - Questions

• What are strengths of service system?

• What should be preserved?

• What are under met needs?

• What are barriers to meeting needs?

• What new services are needed?

• How effective are current services?

• What about funding of services?

Community Forums

• Forums open to anyone wanting to testify

• Held in Clover, Fort Mill, Rock Hill & York

• Testimony taken from 38 persons

• Of special assistance was information offered by the Hispanic community

Secondary Data

Data provided by the

SC Office of Research & Statistics

• “Kids Count 2003”

• “Mature Adults in South Carolina 2003”

• “South Carolina Community Profiles”

• “Profile of General Demographic Characteristics 2000”

• “Young Adults in South Carolina 2002”

Data Analysis

• Results can be generalized back to East & West County

• Only “somewhat serious” & “serious” problems were used in the analysis

• SPSS used to run cross tabs and carry out other types of statistical analysis

• Sufficient responses were received to provide a 95% confidence level:

–95% odds that if all households in the county were surveyed there would be no more than a +/- 5% variance in answers as compared with the sample

Data Analysis

• There are 18,756 occupied households in the West which means each household in the sample equals 46 households

• There are 42,295 occupied households in the East which means each household in the sample equals 104 households

• Total of 61,051 occupied households in York County

• This is based on the 2000 census which means responses in general will be under reported

Community Perceptions

Household Respondents were asked questions pertaining

to how they perceived the severity of problems in our

community. Those responding with moderate or serious

problems are shown in the following information.

Community perceptions also includes key leader

interviews, community forums, and internet message

board comments.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

• More than 30% of household respondents believed both alcohol and drug abuse is a moderate or serious problem for the community.

• This issue was the fifth most frequently raised problem in the community forums,

• The second most noted problem on the United Way message board,

• And mentioned by one key leader during an interview.

• 3.2% of respondents reported serious problems with alcohol abuse and 1.7% with drug abuse. Only 15.5% of alcohol and 19.8% with drug problems receive help.

Basic Needs

• 30.38% of household respondents believe issues related to lack of public transportation, poverty, substandard housing, overcrowded housing, and lack of affordable housing are moderate to serious community needs.

• The figure increases to 34.60% when focusing on lack of transportation, poverty, and lack of affordable housing.

• Almost 40% of Western York County respondents are concerned with lack of affordable housing.

• The lack of good public transportation was the second most-mentioned problem in the community forums and the second most-mentioned problem by key leaders.

• The need for a men’s homeless shelter was the third-most-mentioned issue from key leaders and mentioned at community forums.

Children, Youth and Families

• 29.12% of household respondents commented on issues related to youth crime, teen pregnancy, inability to secure legal help, child abuse, spouse abuse, child neglect, affordable day care, lack of recreation facilities and issues of family planning, believed these issues represented moderate to serious community needs.

• Eastern York County respondents were more concerned with youth crime, child abuse, and child neglect.

• Western York County respondents were more concerned with affordable day care, lack of recreation facilities and availability of family planning.

Children, Youth and Families, con’t

• The following issues were mentioned by key leaders: after-school programs, gang activity, programs for expelled youth, free legal services, affordable child care, juvenile delinquency, more recreation facilities/programs, and parenting programs.

• The number one issue posted to the United Way message board was the need for after-school programs for children and youth.

• Also mentioned was the need for affordable child care and additional recreation facilities/programs for youth.

Community Diversity

• 28.5% of household respondents believed that racial discrimination was a moderate to serious problem in York County.

• A slightly higher percentage in Eastern York county felt so than Western York County.

• The most-mentioned issue at the community forums was the need for health and dental care for the Hispanic community. Second most-mentioned was need for bi-lingual staff in schools, health settings and other service settings.

• The most-mentioned community problem by key leaders was the need for better communication, housing and health care for the Hispanic community.

Education/Literacy

• 28.5% of the household respondents believed that illiteracy was a moderate to serious problem in York County.

• 35.9% felt that high school drop-outs were a moderate to serious problem.

• The fourth most-mentioned community need by key leaders was reducing the high school drop-out rate.

• One person posted on the United Way message board a concern related to the need to increase the literacy rate in York County.

Employment and Training

• 34.43% of household respondents viewed unemployment as a moderate or serious problem in York County.

• 48.47% felt there were not enough good jobs in the county.

• Neither the issue of unemployment or good jobs came up in key leader interviews and only one mentioned the need for more job training and better job placement.

• One person mentioned the need for more job training programs in Western York County on the United Way message board.

• One person mentioned this issue at a community forum.

Health and Wellness

• There were no questions related to health and wellness in the telephone survey concerning the perception of community need.

• Several issues were mentioned at the community forums including the need for 24-hour medical care access in Western York County, the need for more HIV/AIDS services in Western York County, better health insurance coverage and more affordable, accessible health care county-wide.

• No key leader mentioned this as a community need.

• There was one posting to the United Way message board concerning a need for 24-hour medical service in Western York County.

• Issues related to the availability of health care are the most critical health and human service needs reported by household respondents.

Mental Health

• 15.55% of household respondents indicated that issues of mental illness were a moderate to serious problem in the community.

• Slightly more people in Eastern York County felt this was an issue.

• The need for additional mental health services was the sixth most-mentioned service need at the community forums.

• There was one posting to the United Way message board urging an increase in mental health services.

• No key leaders mentioned this as a concern.

Older Adults

• 17.95% of household respondents identified maintaining older adults in independent living as a moderate to serious concern.

• 29.7% indicated care giving for older adults was a concern.

• Providing services to older adults was the fourth most-mentioned issue by key leaders.

• There were several postings on the United Way message board including the need for respite care for caregivers, in-home support of older adults, and information and referral services for older adults.

Top Seven Needs Identified in Countywide Telephone Survey

Need Total Need % of Households

Not able to pay for medical insurance 8,548 14.0

Can’t get out of debt 8,236 13.5

Not enough money to buy medication 8,028 13.2

Not enough money to pay doctor 7,522 12.3

Unable to find a good paying job 6,612 10.8

Not able to qualify for medical insurance 6,230 10.2

Much anxiety, stress or depression 6,114 10.0

Summary of Need FindingsTelephone Survey

In looking at the top seven issues identified from the

telephone survey, three categories of need became

apparent in both Eastern and Western York County:

1. Cost of Health Care

• Not able to pay for medical insurance

• Not enough money to buy medication

• Not enough money to pay doctor

• Not able to qualify for medical insurance

Summary of Need FindingsTelephone Survey

2. Basic Financial Needs

• Can’t get out of debt

• Not able to find good paying jobs

3. Mental Health and Wellness

• Much anxiety, stress or depression

Summary of Need FindingsTelephone Survey

• The results of the telephone survey is consistent with the data from the secondary analysis of employment and income of the country.

• Slightly over 25% of all households earn less than $25,000 and 17.38% of the total population qualify for food stamps, TANF, and Medicaid.

• 4.8% of households that qualify for assistance are not receiving help at this time, equaling 2,900 households, or 7,250 persons (based on 2.5 persons per household.)

Eastern and Western York County Answersto Telephone Survey Top Seven Needs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Unable to pay

med ins.

Can't get out

of debt

Total County

East

West

Eastern and Western York County Answersto Telephone Survey Top Seven Needs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Can't afford

meds.

Can't pay Dr. Can't find

good paying job

Total County

East

West

Eastern and Western York County Answersto Telephone Survey Top Seven Needs

02468

1012141618

Don't qualify

for med. insur.

Much anxiety,

stress,

depression

Unavailability

of rec.

activities

Total County

East

West

Experience with Services

Of those persons obtaining help with any need, which was a vast minority in most areas, the following results show problems encountered with securing needed services:

Had to wait to long for service 32%

Cost/fees to high 30%

Eligibility requirements to high 29%

Staff made me uncomfortable 27%

Staff inexperienced 26%

Inconvenient office hours 26%

Inconvenient transportation 20%

Reasons Why Help Wasn’t Received

Common Issues of Those Not Obtaining Help

• Vast majority do not look for help

• Many thought no help was available

• Many were not aware of available services

• In most cases not significant differences between

Eastern and Western York County

Percentage of Those Not Obtaining Help Top Need Areas

Based on the telephone survey, the following chart shows the percentages of people not obtaining help with the top seven identified needs.

Need % not. obt. help % East % West Not able to pay for medical insurance 81.5 83.0 78.8

Can’t get out of debt 83.1 82.0 84.8

Not enough money to buy medication 83.9 83.3 84.8

Not enough money to pay doctor 87.7 91.7 80.0

Unable to find a good paying job 76.7 71.1 90.5

Not able to quality for medical insurance 79.3 80.0 77.8

Much anxiety, stress or depression 73.2 73.7 72.3

Unmet Need: Not Able to Pay for Medical Insurance

% did not obtain help

81.5

Didn't look 73.7%

Thought nohelp was avail. 13.7%

Service wasn'tavailable 10.5%

Too expensive 7.4%

Not aware of service 1.1%

Rec'd help from family or friends 1.1%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Not Able to Pay for Medical Insurance

Overview

• Based on the household survey, between 10.2% and 14% of all households in the county have serious problems securing adequate health care.

• A somewhat higher percentage of respondents in Eastern York County did not look for help.

• A somewhat higher percentage of respondents in Western York County did not think help was available.

• Those living in Eastern York County are receiving slightly less help in securing medical insurance and much less help in being able to pay a doctor.

Unmet Need: Can’t Get Out of Debt

% did not obtain help

83.1

Didn't look 83.9%

Thought no helpwas avail. 10.8%

Was not aware

of service 6.5%

Too expensive 3.2%

Service wasn'tavailable 2.2%

Put on waiting list 1.1%

Worried about confidentiality 1.1%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Can’t Get Out of Debt

Overview

• Based on the 2000 census, 25.3% of household incomes in the county fell below $25,000.

• 21.3% of African Americans,

• 27.0% of Hispanics,

• 24.7% of single women with children,

• and 9.6% of those over 65 fell below the poverty level.

• Based on the household survey, between 2.3%-11.2% of all households in York County experience serious problems meeting basic needs.

Unmet Need: Not Enough Money to Buy Medication

% did not obtain help

83.9

Didn't look 69.5%

Thought no help wasavail. 21%

Service wasn'tavailable 6.3%Not aware of service 4.2%

Too expensive 3.2%

Prior bad experience 2.1%

Rec’d help from family or friends 1.1%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Not Enough Money to Buy Medication

Overview

• There were no major differences between

Eastern and Western York County in responses.

Unmet Need: Not Enough Money to Pay Doctor

% did not obtain help

87.7

Didn't look 70.9%

Though no helpwas avail. 15.1%

Service not available 11.6%

Too expensive 3.5%

Prior bad experience 3.5%

Not aware of service 3.5%

Lacked child care 1.2%

Rec’d help from family or friends 1.2%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Not Enough Money to Pay Doctor

Overview

According to Kids Count 2003, York County:

• There were an estimated 5,197 uninsured children in York County.

• 11,735 children were covered by Medicaid in 2001

• Eastern and Western York County were similar, except for slightly more people in Eastern York County not being aware of available services.

Unmet Need: Unable to Find a Good Paying Job

% did not obtain help

76.7

Didn't look 85.5%

Thought no help wasavail. 8.7%

Not aware of service 5.8%

Service wasn'tavailable 2.8%

Place too far away 1.4%

Lacked child care 1.4%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Unable to Find a Good Paying Job

Overview

• Almost all respondents in Western York County (94.6%) did not look for help with finding a good paying job.

• Just over 21% in Eastern York County did not look for help in finding a good paying job.

• According to the 2000 census, unemployment in York County grew from 5.1% in 1990 to 6.1%, or 5,329 persons, in 2002.

• According to the Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, the per capita personal income rate in York County in 2003 was $26,144 as compared with $31,472 for the U.S. as a whole

Unmet Need: Not Able to Qualify for Medical Insurance

% did not obt. help

79.3

Didn't look 67.2%

Service wasn'tavailable 19.4%

Thought no helpwas avail. 17.9%

Too expensive 6.0%

Prior badexperience 1.5%

Rec'd help fromfamily or friends 1.5%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Not Able to Qualify for Medical Insurance

Overview

• A higher percentage of those in Western York County either did not think help was available or found the services were not available.

• In Eastern York County, a much larger percentage of respondents simply did not look for help.

Unmet Need: Much Anxiety, Stress, or Depression

% did not obt. help

73.2

Didn't look 73.3%

Too expensive 8.3

Thought no help wasavail. 8.3%

Not aware of service 5.0%

Service not available 3.3%

Rec'd help from familyand friends 3.3%

Prior bad experience 1.7%

This graph includes multiple responses

Unmet Need: Much Anxiety, Stress, or Depression

Overview

• Based on the household survey, 10% of all households have a member or members who have had serious problems with anxiety, stress or depression.

• There is a slightly higher degree of problems with anxiety, stress or depression in Western York County.

• A greater percentage in Eastern York County said they either thought no help was available or indicated it was not available.

• In Western York County, respondents were more likely to indicate they did not look for help, help was too expensive, or they were receiving help from family and friends.

Next Steps

• Gain understanding of the findings

• Clarify what role United Way should play in responding

• Identify stakeholders in various need areas

• Convene planning groups

• Find out more about why people do not look for help

Next Steps

• August 2005: Invite participation on Next Steps Task Force from Community Needs Study Steering Committee, United Way Board of Directors and community partners

• September 2005-December 2005: Complete in-depth review of each need area for implications and relevance, including comparison to national data rankings, level of current service related to unmet needs

Next Steps

• January 2006: Next Steps Task Force will determine community initiatives to be convened by United Way of York County around these priority issues (example, 2-1-1 service)

• Discuss community impact agenda and how our United Way will transition to become a community impact organization

• February 2006: Community Initiatives begin meeting

Next Steps

• March 2006: Next Steps Task Force will meet with allocations committee of United Way of York County to determine how to expand community investments to target priority areas

• April 2006 and on-going: Next Steps Task Force will meet regularly to evaluate progress on community initiatives and priority need areas

2005 Community Needs Study

Copies of this study are available in print, electronic, or on CD by calling United Way of York County 803-324-2735

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www.unitedwayofyc.org

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