2015 Bradford County Needs Assessment Conducted by: The United Way of Bradford County Partners in Family & Community Development Mansfield University

Bradford County Needs Assessment 2015 In the summer of 2015, The United Way of Bradford County, Partners in Family & Community Development and Mansfield University came together to conduct a needs assessment for Bradford County. This assessment was intended to identify services that Bradford County residents felt are lacking and to find ways to bridge the gaps between existing services. The assessment consisted of a detailed survey, designed by Mansfield University with input and assistance from two focus groups. The survey was distributed to agencies and businesses throughout Bradford County in two formats, (a printed hard copy and an online version that could be emailed). Between hard copies and online submissions, 526 surveys were completed and returned for analysis. The following is a brief summary of the preliminary report prepared by Mansfield University. A more complete report will be made available upon request.

Bradford County Needs Assessment 2015 Assessment Demographics The demographic characteristics of the respondents were ascertained at the end of the survey. 98% of respondents are white. A majority have graduated from college. The majority of respondents are married 67% indicated their household income to be above $50k per year. 80% indicated that children lived in their household. Of that 80%, 43% have children less than eighteen years of age. Almost 10% of respondents indicated they have a disability.

Social Services 20% of respondents indicated that they were unable to access the social services needed. Reasons given for not being able to access needed services: 1. Having no money (35%) 2. No health insurance (21%) 3. Long waiting list (20%) 4. Lack of transportation (16%) 5. Other – responses included A. Lack of providers B. Lack of coverage. C. Not eligible D. Lack of knowledge

Services Needed Transportation (48%) Mental Health (44%) Childcare (34%) Senior Care (33%) Day Care (25%) Healthcare (18%) Under other: (21%) 1. Drug and Alcohol Services (20%) 2. Housing (17%) 3. Homeless Shelter/services (14%) 4. Psychiatry (6%)

Needs within Bradford county Children’s Activities and Care 69% of respondents believe there are not enough non-school activities for children 18 years old and younger. 50% of respondents believe there are enough in-school activities for children, however, 25% believe there are not. When asked to list the type of after school activities they would like to see made available, the top two responses were exercise/sport activities. More than 50% of respondents believe there are not enough family friendly places available in their community. 10% of respondents report that they use daycare 67% of respondents believe day care is not affordable to those who need it.

Children’s Activities and Day care Types of activities that should be added: 1. Hobbies (71%) 2. Playgrounds (59%) 3. Museums (39%) 4. Ball Fields (23%) 5. Libraries (15%) Day Care 60% indicated they did not think Day Care was affordable. 30% indicated they were not sure. Some comments indicated that since Bradford County Day Care closed parents have a hard time finding qualified day care. The Edge Childcare also recently closed making it even more limited.

Needs within Bradford county Transportation 75% of respondents report that there are transportation services in their community. 14% report there are no transportation services in their community Almost 90% of respondents reported their primary method of transportation is a privately owned vehicle. 4% of respondents report their primary method of transportation to be a public bus. 16% of respondents report that there is public transportation available when they need it. 25% of respondents report that public transportation is not available when they need it.

89% used a private automobile for transportation. 14% of respondents said that public transportation services are not available in their community. Another 10% were unsure. 89% used a private automobile for transportation. 4% used a public bus. 1% walk and another 1% ask their neighbors for rides. 25% indicated that public transportation is not available at the times they need it. Other areas where transportation was indicated as a reason for not having access to services included: social services, mental health services, not having enough food to eat.

Needs within Bradford county Housing 10% of respondents reported they have experienced homelessness. 25% of respondents reported they relocated to cheaper accommodations or shared housing. 60% reported they have provided help to family or friends who had housing needs. Approximately 60% reported they had cut back on other basic necessities in order to afford housing. 55% of respondents indicated they had provided help to family or friends within the present year. 67% of respondents reported they cut back on basic necessities in order to afford housing within the present year.

Housing Out of 163 responses, 68% indicated they had cut back on basic necessities in the past year to be able to pay for housing. 55% had provided help to friends or family in the last year to assist with housing costs. 16% had relocated to cheaper accommodations. 5% indicated that they had been homeless in the last year. These numbers are somewhat less than the responses to the same question as to whether they had experienced any of these ever in their life.

Needs within Bradford county Drugs 13% of respondents indicated they have used illegal drugs. Among the 13%, the age range when they first used drugs varied from 12 to 25. Several types of illegal drugs were reported as the drug of choice among adults, with alcohol being at the top of the list, followed closely by meth, bath salts and marijuana. 94% of respondents reported that drug and alcohol abuse negatively impacts their community. 95% believed the public could be educated about prescription drug abuse. There following is a list of activities that respondents believed would be beneficial to reduce substance abuse in their community: Therapy, classes on drug abuse and physical activity.

drugs 13% of respondents indicated that they had used illegal drugs. 86% of those respondents said marijuana was the first drug they used. Underage drinking was the second most used. Average age of starting drug use was 15.2 years. Answers ranged from 12 to 25. Most prevalent drug of choice for adults Alcohol was first with 53%; Meth and bath salts came in next at 45% each; Marijuana was third at 44%. Under other drugs not listed, heroin was the highest with 81% of the 89 people who answered other listing heroin. The second under other was prescription drugs, with 25% indicating illegal use of prescription drugs.

Drugs Negative impacts of drug use included crime and impaired drivers causing accidents. Ways to educate the public about drug abuse – most indicated answer was use the media. Second was to increase training for doctors, dentists and pharmacists. Activities that people indicated would help to reduce substance abuse : 1. Teach coping techniques 2. More law enforcement and jail time 3. More employment 4. More education 5. More activities for children

Other needs that were addressed in the survey include the following. Needs within Bradford county Other Community Needs Other needs that were addressed in the survey include the following. Health Issues Religion Natural Gas Education Managing Money Meals & Groceries Volunteering Overall Needs & Strength

Overall needs and strengths Greatest Needs 1. Services and programming for children and disabled 2. Housing 3. Better transportation 4. Affordable childcare Greatest Strengths 1. Strong families, caring and friendly people 2. Strong churches and beautiful community 3. Good healthcare 4. Parks and recreation, libraries.

Comparison to the 1996 and 2006 Needs Assessments 1. Lack of employment opportunities 2. Reduce family violence and child abuse 3. Lack of healthcare insurance 4. Parenting skills for parents and students 5. Quality early care and education for all children 6. Reduce use and availability of drugs by all 7. Decrease number of families living in poverty. 8. Safe , supervised activities for youth 1. Lack of employment opportunities 2. Reduce family violence and child abuse 3. Reduce teen pregnancy rates 4. Decrease number of families living in poverty. 5. Assure student preparedness at graduation for work or further schooling. 6. Reduce use and availability of drugs by all. 7. Parenting skills for parents and students 8. Safe , supervised activities for youth

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