PNA

The Spencer County Community Foundation announces the release of their 2011 Spencer County Priority Needs Assessment.   Click HERE for the packet. 

 

The priority needs assessment is a collection of data that is compiled into a report. This report represents an effort to look at Spencer County's most pressing needs in the proposed areas of Education, Health/Wellness/Recreation, Senior Citizen Initiatives, and Youth Initiatives.

 

The project began in September 2010, and since then surveys have been distributed, demographic and other data collected, and forums held to get input from the residents of Spencer County.  All of this data will be provided in the Priority Needs Assessment Report.

 

Respondents ranked the four broad areas surveyed in order of importance: (Note: values were assigned to the choices of most important [3 pts], important [2 pts] and not as important [1pt]):  Education (266 points), Youth (210 points), Health, Wellness, and Recreation (178 points) and Senior Citizens (170 points).

 

The issues that 85% or more respondents agreed or strongly agreed were important in Spencer County were:

1.      Preparation of young adults to enter the workforce

2.      Underage drug and alcohol use (note: 52% of respondents disagree that this issue is   

         being addressed well.)

3.      Adult literacy

4.      Parents involved in child’s education

5.      Increase in high school graduation rates (note: 61% of respondents agree that this

         issue is being well addressed.)

6.      Students are prepared for employment

7.      Affordable childcare

8.      Safe, constructive youth activities

9.      Children with special mental & physical conditions

10.    Cost of prescription medicine

 

 

 Some of the key findings were that:

• 90.1% of respondents agree/strongly agree that parents being involved in their child’s education is important.  However, 72.9% don’t feel the issue is being addressed well in Spencer County.
• 78.1% of respondents agree/strongly agree that child and adult obesity is an important issue.  50.4% disagree that this issue is being addressed well.
• 83.5% of respondents agree that transportation for the elderly is important.  44.9% agree that this issue is being addressed well.
• 87.3% of respondents agree/strongly agree that safe, constructive youth activities are important.  42.7% disagree that this issue is being addressed well.

Descriptions of Areas of Interest

Education: Support educators, students, and families of students, enhance educational programs

Health, Wellness, & Recreation: Promote healthy living, support programs to help citizens stay active

Senior Citizen Initiatives: Help senior citizens to live independently if able, or help them get the care they need (meals, nursing homes, etc.)

Youth Initiatives: Support daycare facilities, youth programs, and after school activities.