Community Input Survey Results Report Saunders County A Bright Future Community Input Survey Results Report October 27, 2015 Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Survey process / methodology Data collected from an eight question online survey tool from Aug. 21 – Oct. 15, 2015 560 community stakeholders were personally invited to participate via postcards and email Stakeholders represented business, government, education, faith-based and community sectors 125 total respondents - 22 % response rate Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Community Response Rates Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Survey Questions What community do you identify most strongly with? How critical are the following needs for people with low incomes living in that community? In Saunders County as a whole, how critical are the following needs for people with low incomes living there? What other needs do you think are critical for people with low incomes living in the county? What populations do you believe are underserved in the county? What organizations should Community Action partner with to address these needs? Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Saunders County Needs Rating Scale: Education & employment training (Community Action Services) Rating Scale: High need – 5 Low need – 1 Education & employment training 4.2 Early childhood education 4.1 Parenting support Money management education/support 4.0 Housing assistance 3.8 Home weatherization 3.5 Tax prep and filing 3.4 Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Wahoo Needs Rating Scale: Education & employment training 4.2 (Community Action Services) Rating Scale: High need – 5 Low need – 1 Education & employment training 4.2 Money management education/support 4.1 Early childhood education 4.0 Parenting support 3.9 Housing assistance 3.6 Home weatherization 3.3 Tax prep and filing 3.4 Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Additional Responses / Needs Transportation Mental/behavioral health services Youth activities (after school, community service projects, work prep) Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Percent (respondents could choose more than one) Underserved populations Percent (respondents could choose more than one) Single parents 46.0% Seniors 36.2% 18-30 year olds 32.7% Infants to age five 30.9% Other (Upper elementary & middle school, pre-teens & teens, disabled or those with mental health needs) 10.6% 31-65 year olds 9.7% Women Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses Increase Public Internet Access Educate residents on how to find and use available resources County resource website Expand Entrepreneurship Opportunities - Less regulation for starting businesses, and lower taxes Attract more good employers to the community Money & Savings Education - Education about the importance of making wise money decisions / choices - Not everyone understands this Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses (continued) Provide counseling / education and assistance to job seekers - Guidance in continued education and daycare to complete skills and find work. Cut off assistance until employed Many jobs are available in Saunders County Limit free stuff - Discourage laziness and encourage employment (applies to people that are very capable of working). Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses (continued) Parenting Classes During pregnancy and before they leave the hospital Training for parents on how to support their children in school Work with at-risk youth on community service projects Have some sort of bicycle program, or skate board park Build a Habitat for Humanity house Adult mentors - To step in and help kids whose parents aren’t supporting them Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses (continued) Keep food bank stocked Encourage people to use the food bank Strengthen back pack program Rental properties Hold property owners accountable for the way they maintain rental properties Subsidized housing People living in subsidized housing of any kind should be drug tested during and after housing. People should receive continued support and education to discontinue drug use, and not be allowed to smoke in housing. Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses Related to Partnering Schools, food assistance, or food bank programs to identify families in need and reach out to help them build self-sufficiency After school programs at churches (i.e., Mead) Existing young mothers or teen organizations The CLOSET and KID’S CUPBOARD OPPD utility assistance program Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses Related to Partnering Wahoo Civic Center Ashland Education Center Probation, parole, diversion, county attorney’s office Volunteer fire departments Business associations, Chamber Southeast Community College & UNL Extension Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Written Responses Related to Partnering VFW, other veterans’ and service organizations Lutheran Family Services, Blue Valley, DHHS Medical and dental offices and clinics Senior care centers Salvation Army, other social service programs Preschool programs and daycares, parent school groups Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Next steps timeline December 2015: Community Action Board utilizes results to identify priorities within Saunders County and determine if priority needs are best met by Community Action, partnerships with other entities, or by referral to other entities. By end of March 2016: Community Action Staff/Board develops a plan to promote programs offered by Community Action in Saunders County to increase resident awareness and utilization. Staff/Board work to establish new partnerships and effective referral processes. April 2016: Implement plan. Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org

Saunders County A Bright Future Thanks to everyone who has participated in this effort! Please contact Michelle Martinez at: mmartinez@community actionatwork.org if you want to stay involved in planning/implementation activities. Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties | 402-471-4515 | www.communityactionatwork.org