Community Needs Assessment

2010

United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County

August 24, 2010

Community Needs Assessment 2010

The United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County is dedicated to improving the quality of the life in the Mid & South Jefferson County area by funding and implementing local programs that address community needs.

In order to identify the most critical needs in the Mid & South Jefferson County area, the United Way MSJC conducted a Community Needs Assessment.

Community Needs Assessment 2010

United Way MSJC will use the information from the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) as a tool in determining funding for existing programs.

The CNA results will also help determine funding for new programs and initiatives that address unmet or under-met needs.

2010 CNA Study was conducted by Dakota Doman, Robert M. Tinstman Fellowship Award Winner.

Survey Distribution

The official survey was constructed using a Professional Account with SurveyMonkey.

The survey was only produced in English.

The survey was available on paper and online.

An email list was procured from the Port Arthur and Nederland Chambers of Commerce.

Survey Distribution

All 22 United Way MSJC partner agencies were provided with paper surveys and links to distribute to their clients.

The survey was also promoted through media outlets.

130 surveys were returned.

Results

United Way MSJC looked exclusively at perceived needs in Mid & South Jefferson County.

In a focused effort, 28 needs were listed, and respondents were asked to rank the criticality of each need.

Respondents were given an opportunity to write in their own perceived top human service needs in the community.

Results

Respondents had three levels of criticality from which to choose.

“Most Critical Need” , “Somewhat Critical Need” and “Least Critical Need.”

This report will look at the responses by ranking the twenty-eight needs solely by the percentage scores for the “Most Critical Need.”

Education/Youth Issues

15%

21%

20%15%

15%

14%

Critical Needs

Affordable childcare Character buildingAfter school programs

Bullying in school

Teen parenting Juvenile incarcera-tion

Financial Stability Issues

8%16%

22%15%

18%

21%

Critical Needs

Predatory lendingEmergency fundsMoney managementAffordable housingSheltering homlessFood for the needy

Health Issues

20%

26%

15%

13%

13%

13%

Critical Needs

Domestic abuse vic-timsChild abuse victimsSubstance abuseMental health issuesPrescription medsCare for disabilities

Other Community Needs

Respondents were asked to write-in their top three community concerns.

The majority of the responses were already addressed in the survey.

Two responses that were not specifically addressed in the survey were: Lack of work ethic in youths Self-esteem issues amongst youth

Needs with 10 or more responses are listed below

18%

18%

18%16%

16%

14%

Critical NeedsChild abuse

Affordable childcare

Affodable healthcare

Unemployment

Teen Pregnancy

Money man-agement

United Way Effectiveness

28%

41%

13%

4%14%

Effectiveness

Very EffectiveEffectiveNeither effective nor ineffectiveIneffectiveVery IneffectiveDon't know

Quotes From Respondents

“United Way has such a strong presence in the community and works diligently toward increasing campaign contributions.”

“The United Way MSJC is constantly trying to make our community a better place to live by addressing issues that create problems for our community.”

“Takes care of the biggest needs in the county.”

Quotes From Respondents

“Have not heard about a lot of the programs that are offered.”

“Does not really teach the hungry how to fish, instead of providing a fish.”

“Fundraising allocation needs to be updated.”

“Need to revisit pulled funding from certain communities and organizations.”

Demographics

66%

22%

2%

6%4%

Ethnicity

WhiteBlackAsianHispanicOther

Demographics

2% 9%

23%

50%

14% 2%

Age Range

18-2425-3435-4445-6465-7475+

Demographics

56%

44%

Gender

MaleFemale

Working Population

79%

21%

Employment

YesNo

Working Population

50%

18%

7%

7%

18%

Breakdown of Unemployment

RetiredHomemakerStudentDisabledOther

Questions

Thank You

United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County

August 24, 2010