Neeeds Assessment 2019 Executive Summary · Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Mike Stewart, Buffalo Rock Pepsi * indicates ex-officio members ... These individuals deserve appreciation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYCommunity Needs Assessment: Madison County, 2018-2019

Neeeds Assessment 2019_Executive Summary.indd 1 2/5/2020 12:49:14 PM

© 2019 United Way of Madison CountyAll Rights Reserved701 Andrew Jackson WayHuntsville, AL 35801MAIN (256) 536-0745 | FAX (256) 533-5309 | uwmadisoncounty.org

Prepared by

Amy L. Shadoin, PhDPremier Evaluations, Inc.PremierEvaluations.com


Table of Contents | Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS______________________________________________

PrefaceAn Open Letter to the Community iiSponsoring Organizations & Individuals iiiAcknowledgments iv

executive Summary 1


P a g e i i | A n O p e n L e t t e r t o t h e C o m m u n i t y

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITYI invite you to celebrate with YOUR United Way of Madison County our 76 years of local service and impact. YOU are the reason we are here. Our board, leadership, and staff are truly appreciative to each of the thousands of donors, volunteers, and partners who create positive change with this United Way. Every dollar, every minute, makes a difference and contributes to the quality of life in Madison County.

Periodically, United Way of Madison County takes on an essential task in addition to its everyday work by conducting an extensive community-wide needs evaluation. Through the associated report presented here, we fulfill a key portion of our mission and commitment to the community, namely to

“identify the health and human service needs of Madison County, Alabama, and work with donors, volunteers, and collaborative partners to develop and implement effective strategies and solutions”.

United Way of Madison County could not accomplish this vital work without the contribution of hundreds of volunteer hours, expertise from those in need, and over 1,000 voices from all walks of life in our community – those in need and those who can help. Key community sponsors The Daniel Foundation, The City of Huntsville, State Representatives Laura Hall, Howard Sanderford, and Phil Williams plus Senator Bill Holtzclaw contributed alongside United Way to ensure this report was conducted professionally and thoroughly. Their support will influence this community for years to come.

United Way of Madison County presents this report to you, our community. It documents the most critical needs and recommendations, and serves as a tool and resource for community and nonprofit grants and planning. Efficiency at its best - it stands as a catalyst for hope.

Informed by this study, United Way is already moving forward to respond strategically to the greatest needs, with carefully selected expert partners. We continue to listen, invite others to come alongside us, and press forward. As community needs grow, so will the demand to engage more individuals and corporations in the work of United Way so together we may rise to local challenges.

We are committed to the health, education, and financial stability of Madison County. These represent the integrated building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. We are dedicated to assuring our community is healthy, students can start school prepared and graduate successfully and workforce ready, and individuals and families are financially stable. It all works together.

As a vital, engaged leader, ready to take service to those who need our help to the next level, we need YOU. Your strength, your ideas, your heart, your mind, and your commitment are vital to our success and that of our community. Along with you, United Way rededicates our efforts to engage our community as it grows, help more people understand the power of pooling resources and working together in innovative, smart ways so together we can create lasting, positive change.

CLAY VANDIVERPresident and CEOUnited Way of Madison County


S p o n s o r i n g O r g a n i z a t i o n s & I n d i v i d u a l s | P a g e i i i

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS & INDIVIDUALS

Carmelita Palmer, Chair, IHeart MediaLee Holland, Chair Elect, Turner ConstructionCynthia Streams, Secretary, Valley Pizza, Inc.

DBA Domino’s PizzaRon Poteat, Treasurer, Regions BankYvette Banks, Redstone Federal Credit UnionCarol Madry Bell, Community VolunteerKendall Betts, Chair, United Way Youth

Leaders Council*Janet Brown, Belk Department StoresLynn Collyar, Deloitte Consulting LLCPaul Finley, Mayor of Madison, AL*Darin Geiger, United Way Executive Director’s

Assoc. Representative/Executive Director of Family Services Center*

John Hamilton, City of Huntsville*Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., AL A&M UniversityLarry Lewis, Past Chair, Project XYZTarsha Lockhart, AL A&M University & Former

United Way Loaned Executive*Mark Overstreet, WZDX TV (Rocket City Now)Ted Phillips, Huntsville UtilitiesRoland Rice, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of

ALBeth Richardson, Progress BankBenjamin Robb, Publix SupermarketsJeff Samz, Huntsville HospitalMike Stewart, Buffalo Rock Pepsi

* indicates ex-officio members

Our sincere gratitude to these community leaders, without whose guidance your United Way could not serve.

AL State RepresentativeLaura HallDistrict 19

AL State Representative

Bill HoltzclawDistrict 2

AL State Representative

Howard SanderfordDistrict 20

AL State RepresentativePhil Williams

District 6

With support from the community, United Way of Madison County will continue creating positive change with individuals and families who find themselves in need. 2018 marked the 75th year of service for YOUR United Way of Madison County and this list represents the board serving during that diamond anniversary year. .


P a g e i v | A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSA Growing Numbers of Local Voices Joined the Effort More than 1,000 social service users, service providers, community stakeholders, and members of the public participated in interviews, local focus groups held throughout the county, and surveys both online and in print. While data on the health and vitality of our community (and its challenges) is front and center in this study, each voice, added to others, helped assure that the study resulted in solid, strong conclusions that inform us about our community’s growth and development while assuring that our community’s voice in heard.

Commissioning of the WorkFor the first time in 2014, an expert local evaluator produced an exemplary needs assessment study that informed our community’s champions, everyday caregivers and service providers, as well as the community at large. Premier Evaluations returned for this 2018 version to assure continued excellence, continuity and consistency. A core leadership team was established to accomplish this work, including Dr. Amy Shadoin, principal at Premier Evaluations, and key United Way of Madison County staff including Cathy Miller, Community Impact Director.

Professional EvaluatorThe skills of a professional social scientist and human services researcher provided essential planning, guidance, and analysis. Dr. Amy Shadoin, founder of Premier Evaluations, has more than 20 years of experience in conducting research and evaluations in health and human services. The mission of Premier Evaluations, established in 2008, is to help health and human services providers and those who fund their work as they design, implement, improve, evaluate and sustain social programs to achieve maximum community impact. Dr. Shadoin and her colleagues at Premier Evaluations provided research, evaluation, statistical analysis, and technical assistance for this 2018 United Way of Madison County needs evaluation.

In-Kind SupportUnited Way of Madison County has always functioned through support from a strong, talented volunteer base and generous donors who help accomplish this organization’s vital mission. Student interns from Alabama A&M University, members of our local United Way’s Community Impact Steering Committee and Community Impact teams. Corporate, nonprofit, and client friends also gave their time to help United Way understand the needs of our local communities so appropriate and intentional responses could be realized.

These individuals deserve appreciation for their contribution in data collection and processing, recommendations for outreach to key community contacts, and engagement in the process.

Numerous community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses brought their support in the form of generous in-kind contributions, gifts of resources, time, and referrals. They include:

• Adtran• AL A&M University• Madison County offices of the AL Department of Human Resources• American Red Cross/North AL Chapter• COLO Ministries• Galen’s Restaurant/Owens Cross Roads


A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s | P a g e v

• Graces of Gurley• The Heals Community Clinics• Huntsville Assistance Program• Phoenix Industries• Madison Cross Roads School• Madison Elementary School• Neighborhood Concepts• No More Dirty, Inc.• Publix Supermarkets (Twickenham, Harvest, and Whitesburg stores)• Seminole Service Center/Huntsville Housing Authority• Synovis Bank (formerly First Commercial) • Taziki’s of Madison• The City of New Hope• The City of Madison• The City of Triana• The University of AL/Huntsville

Others contributed by sharing the opportunity to participate in the study via a focus group or an online or print survey. Those are too numerous to mention but, without their help in spreading this opportunity to contribute throughout the community, United Way of Madison County would not have been able to complete the study or publish the associated report. It was truly a community effort.

Community Conversations TeamFor their support in facilitating community conversations, United Way of Madison County is indebted to the following:

• Robin Arnold, Five Start Consulting Services• Kenny Anderson, City of Huntsville• Dr. Lydia Davenport, AL A&M University• Carol Landry, Spiritual and Life Coach Possibilities Unlimited• Chuck Miller, TLA, Inc.• Lauretta Moore, Family Services Center• Vicki Woods Morris, Face-to-Face Marketing/RISE Networking Group• David Person, Phoenix Industries• Richard Reynolds, Huntsville Achievement School• Cate Summer, University of AL/HSV (UAH)• Ray Zimmerman, Community Volunteer

Additional assistance was provided by:• Ursula Brooks, AL A&M University• Alex Dyess, AL A&M Undergraduate Social Work Intern• Kimberly Flint, Huntsville Housing Authority• Danielle Hall, AL A&M Social Work Masters Intern• Dr. Sheila McNeil, Community Volunteer• Cristina Nastasie, AL A&M Social Work Masters Intern• Fannie Proctor, Huntsville Hospital• Teresa Smith, Community Volunteer• Sonya Tinsley, Madison County Department of Public Health• Veronica Tucker, Primerica Financial Services

Last but certainly not least, special gratitude is extended to those who will use this document in the future to identify and develop strategies to improve our community, to collaborate and work together, to transform lives in our neighborhoods and communities.


P a g e 1 | E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

PurposeThe purpose of this Community Needs Assessment is to obtain an independent analysis of the challenges facing residents in Madison County, especially as it relates to health and human services. This summary describes the most current needs and challenges locally based on available data. Updates are continually being released so consider this a “point in time” picture. While the needs of Madison County are challenging, experience indicates that impacting the lives of our fellow citizens is possible through cooperation and compassion.

What is a Community Needs Assessment?Madison County, Alabama is a growing, vibrant and increasingly diverse community. Citizens span a broad spectrum of ethnic, economic, educational, and professional backgrounds. However, one thing all citizens have in common is a wish for life here to be healthy, with opportunities for education, and a chance for everyone to be financially self-sufficient, able to take care of themselves and their family. For that to be true, Madison County leadership and social service providers must have a clear understanding of the issues that citizens face and the barriers that stand in their way.

Premier Evaluations, on behalf of United Way of Madison County, conducted a needs assessment in which members of the community were asked to tell about their primary issues of concern, what health and human service needs they have or that they see in their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. They were also asked to help identify where gaps in services exist. This needs assessment synthesizes information gathered using the following three sources:

1. U.S. Census tables and more than 150 additional key secondary data sources2. Surveys of four (4) distinct populations (business and community leaders and stakeholders,

nonprofit and government social service providers, clients of those organizations and those in need, as well as the general public), designed to increase the depth of understanding from various perspectives

3. Fifteen focus group transcripts from three key populations tasked with sharing their perspective of community needs and resources (clients of health and human service organizations; providers of health and human services; and stakeholders from business, education, and health industries as well as government officials)

Key Findings Consensus is that vulnerable populations, especially children, seniors and persons with disabilities need special attention to services. By 2030, census estimates are that more than 80,000 seniors will live in Madison County and, by 2040, nearly 100,000 seniors1. Particularly noteworthy also are the increased needs for education and job readiness services that target the working poor, working seniors, and those entering or re-entering the workforce. Broad agreement exists about the need for services in several areas, however some identified needs relating to safety and transportation may be addressed most

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y | P a g e 2

As in the 2014 needs assessment, the goal was to investigate the alignment of priorities for funding allocations across different community groups. At that time (2014), clients and members of the public allocated the highest funding priority toward financial stability needs, followed by education, and lastly healthcare. Service providers and stakeholders indicated a preference in allocating funding toward education needs first, then healthcare, and lastly financial stability needs.

In 2018-19, there was less consensus across groups about priorities for directing funding allocations in United Way’s areas of focus. That may simply be a reflection of the growing complexity and increasing numbers of people with various needs in our community. Specifically, service providers showed a clear preference for funding health services, followed by education, and then financial stability needs. Stakeholders showed a substantial preference for funding education needs first, followed by financial stability, and lastly health. Clients indicated that their preferences for allocating funding to the programs and services addressing needs puts health services at the top of their list, then financial stability, and education needs last. The public preferred to split allocations nearly evenly across all three focus areas.

The clear discrepancies in agreement on priorities for funding allocations across groups suggests that United Way as well as the community nonprofits working in each of these focus areas may need to work more purposefully toward educating grantees, donors, members of the public, and other advocates about best methods to address client needs and how investments need to be integral, not isolated, in nature and prioritized for movement of those served to a stronger level of stability.

RecommendationsThe complexity of challenges and issues is apparent. The community is obligated to distill these primary findings and recommendations and work together to assure that an integrated approach to health and human services, both existing and forthcoming, is carefully considered for all our citizens.

Madison County already has a strong quality of life for many of its residents. At the same time, it is important to recognize that it’s future can be significantly improved. The following recommendations are based on the numerous voices engaged in this discovery process throughout the needs assessment, and the existing available data on individuals and families in Madison County.

EDUCATION: »General Education Degree/Alternative Education

»High-Quality Childcare (Early Education and After School Care)

»Job Readiness and Workforce Development

»Parent Training, Education & Involvement

»Special Needs/Learning Disabilities

FINANCIAL STABILITY: »Access and Affordability of Basic Needs including healthcare, food, shelter and clothing

»Affordable Housing »Financial Literacy »Jobs/Job Readiness and Re-Entry including seniors

»Personal and Neighborhood Safety from crime and violence

»Poverty/Working Poor »Transportation

HEALTH: »Children’s Medical Care especially for the poor

»Chronic Disease »Mental Health »Nutrition »Senior Health and Wellness

»Substance Abuse

effectively by working with municipal government agencies. General categories of current identified needs are as follows:


P a g e 3 | E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

1. Facilitate collaborative networks that close service gaps. United Way of Madison County should provide leadership in facilitating and building the use of networked organizational capacity among the nonprofits in the community. The use of a more integrated, collaborative model of service provision will help to minimize several of the service gaps that currently exist.

2. Increase marketing of 211. Providers are more aware of the 211 program than in the past. More providers are listed in the 211 directory than in 2014 and more service agency staff know to use and direct others to use the 211 directory than ever before; very few were unaware of 211. However, almost half of clients and nearly a third of the general public were unaware of 211 when surveyed. These are the people most likely to benefit from knowledge of the 211 program.

3. Work to reduce barriers to access. Many people in Madison County still face barriers to services that are very difficult to overcome. Challenges include the lack of expanded public transportation options throughout much of the county, urban sprawl, the lack of awareness of services, and a feeling of being “disconnected” between outlying towns and unincorporated areas that are more rural with the more urban areas of Huntsville where most services are concentrated. These challenges result in strong barriers in information, transportation, resource awareness, program accessibility and affordability.

4. Facilitate the development of a local human services system of care to work across programs and areas of need. Resource disparity, poverty, and inequality are social determinants of health, education, and financial stability. Each of these program focuses are inter-related: linkages exist between education and financial stability, health and financial stability, and education and health. Frequently, clients arrive at service organizations and agencies with multiple needs that cross more than one area of programmatic focus.

5. Encourage the use of supportive case management to coordinate wrap-around services and provide longer follow-up to help close gaps, stabilize families and reduce “frequent fliers”. Although Huntsville and Madison County have attracted many employers providing good jobs, and our population is generally well educated, there remain sizeable pockets of individuals in our community who have difficulty providing stable home situations for themselves and their dependents. The factors that lead to family instability are multi-faceted. There is a need for carefully-planned intermediate-term supportive case management that leads to sustainable positive outcomes for clients.

Next StepsThe Needs Assessment report is just the beginning. What is acted on from this report will determine how our community moves forward to serve those in need and to protect our quality of life here in Madison County. With the human capital and resources in our community, Madison County has an opportunity to respond in an extraordinary way as we move toward becoming the largest metropolitan area in the state of Alabama over the next few years.

United Way of Madison County will, with community partners, continue to conduct research on study findings where deeper evaluation is needed. We will do so by convening key organizations and individuals in the community including collaborative partners, nonprofit organizations, volunteer impact teams, special ad hoc committees, and our Board of Directors to help move from identification of needs to addressing and further prioritizing those needs. A logical next step is a revision of United Way’s strategic plan which is already in process.



United Way’s expectation is that this report will serve to:

• Consolidate information regarding community needs and gaps that other health and human services organizations, local governments, and community groups within Madison County may use. Purposes for such work are likely to include internal planning, grant writing, and development of sustainability plans for programs and initiatives. This will offer the opportunity for those organizations and our community groups and government to use this report for internal planning, in grant writing, and in the development of sustainability plans for their programs and initiatives

• Assist the work of the larger community of nonprofits in response to the identified needs. Although raw data is not included in the public report, such data may be obtained by other organizations by directly contacting United Way of Madison County or referring to the referenced data links provided in this report

• Guide others in the community (businesses, faith-based, civic organizations, etc.) who wish to collaborate with key nonprofits to achieve a greater social and philanthropic impact in Madison County

• Inform nonprofit Boards of Directors and key staff members of the needs within the community and the gaps in services that currently exist

• Provide data to inform nonprofit and local government/educational/health entities in their strategic planning processes.

• Encourage a new level of exploration of partnerships and avoidance of duplication of effort as we respond to the fast-paced growth, as smart stewards of local resources.

Upon release of this report, United Way of Madison County will:• Share widely the findings of this study both in print and online (uwmadisoncounty.org).• Provide a summary presentation, delivered by key United Way staff, to local government,

civic and community groups, the Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties upon request.

• Welcome convening conversations and encourage all to consider collaboration and intentionality as we rise to the challenges of a fast-growing community. This will move our community from identification of needs to addressing those needs and further prioritizing for greatest impact.

United Way of Madison County has already applied these findings to inform the goals the community sets with our organization, centered around health education and financial stability.

Aligning strategically placed dollars with the strongest possible portfolio of partners and internal resources via our 2019 allocation process has positioned the United Way of Madison County to continue to effectively service those in need. Finally, it provides essential information to donors and supporters regarding the urgent need for increased dollars to respond to growing needs in a growing community.

The full report is available online at uwmadisoncounty.org for easy access. Additional supporting data is available by contacting United Way of Madison County’s Community Impact Director. Comments and recommendations that relate exclusively to United Way of Madison County’s internal operations will be shared directly with United Way’s Board of Directors.

United Way of Madison County dedicates itself, as we have for over 76 years, to partnering with the community in creating positive change.




Documents

Neeeds Assessment 2019 Executive Summary · Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Mike Stewart, Buffalo Rock Pepsi * indicates ex-officio members ... These individuals deserve appreciation