anne arundel county community action agency, inc. community … · 2020. 8. 4. · anne arundel...

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Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, Inc.

Community Needs Assessment 2018

SURVEY ENGAGMENT OVERVIEW

Project Objectives: This data collection initiative will provide essential information which

Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, Inc. can use to strengthen advocacy for

systemic change and to identify key community development services and basic needs required

to transform, build and improve lives of individuals, families and communities.

The major goal is to collect enough information in order to conduct a qualitative data analysis.

Success looks like: A report that highlights key service gaps or systemic barriers that impact

quality of life issues and provides the footprint for developing cross-sector partnerships to yield

transformational solutions towards greater community impact in reducing poverty, increasing

self-sufficiency and transitioning individuals to the middle class.

Method

The Project Team chose a survey-based approach to capture both the quantitative and qualitative

data necessary to drive the analysis. Specifically, a targeted survey was developed in order to

identify needs requirements across a broad category of categories that might affect cycles of

poverty and systemic injustice within the community. The purpose of the survey was to gain a

better understanding of how individuals, families and children were faring in terms of basic

necessities: economic factors, housing, education, health and human services. In total, over 185

surveys were conducted across the County’s geography via various venues and targeted events.

In gathering survey data, the team took a multi-faceted approach that focused on the various

geographical footprints within Anne Arundel County. Surveys were conducted at various

locations to include North, West, South and Central County. This variance in data collection

locations should allow the surveys to provide targeted geographic needs in addition to

demographic response norms. In order to ensure that the appropriate audiences were targeted

with the survey, the team accessed the County’s network of food pantries. These surveys were

effective in providing both quantitative results and well as qualitative interview events.

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Other

Additional surveys were also administered by the Project Team and Community Action Agency

during various forum events – or were given directly to partnering organizations for completion.

Students at Anne Arundel Community College (“AACC”) were encouraged to provide responses

to the surveys. (“Other”) respondents included residents of public housing, elected officials,

Early Head Start families, and the Center of Hope, a local non-profit which serves Latino

families. While less targeted than the food pantry events, these surveys provided relevant

quantitative data from county residents. The data provided is included in the below results – but

is later rationalized (See: Federal Poverty Measurements section) in order to displace the data

resulting from respondents who did not fall below the Federal Poverty guidelines for 2018. It

should be noted that qualitative data was not collected directly during these survey events.

The Survey

The survey itself was broken into two basic sections, Part I: Identified Areas of Need (both

qualitative and quantitative responses) and Part II: Demographic Information Response. A copy

of the survey is included on pages 3-6 of this report.

The intention of the survey design was to allow for a wide range of respondents. By design, the

customers, staff and other partners of the various food pantries were allowed and encouraged to

participate in the responses. The survey was also intended to allow for various collection

methods in order to encourage an honest and open dialogue. In the case where a respondent had

no direct concerns with privacy response, the survey information was collected by a member of

the project team in the form of an interview. In other cases, the survey was distributed directly to

respondents who were able to easily complete the survey on their own.

Quantitative responses across the various categories were limited to three basic responses: a

category could be assigned as a High, Medium or Low area of need. Where further information

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was offered by the respondent, a specific subsection of a particular category could be identified

and emphasized. When this level of detail was provided in the survey, the surveyor could also

record that conversation in the Qualitative response section.

Finally, the demographic section of the survey was utilized in order to help determine themes of

response that might correspond most strongly with a particular age, gender, race, income or other

demographic background category. Finally, respondents were not asked or required to provide

their own name or personal contact information.

Responses By Type

General Themes

While the survey results are compiled and quantified later in this report, the Project Team did

identify three primary gaps or areas of need/struggle within Anne Arundel County. Of note,

these themes are not based upon an analysis of the response data itself, but rather a general feel

for the issues facing the respondents at the completion of the survey exercises. As a result,

further and more accurate themes have been developed and identified based upon an analysis of

the survey data.

1. Transportation: While the lack of publicly available and accessible transportation options

was particularly evident in South County, the team noticed this concern regardless of

geography, demographic or other specific factors that could be diagnosed within the

survey itself.

2. Seniors Caring for Children: The team was surprised to find an overwhelming amount of

respondents who either were either raising their own grandchildren – or who identified

other friends, family and/or acquaintances struggling with the same situation.

3. Lack of Knowledge in Available Resources: Finally, the team noticed that a significant

amount of the population in greatest need was completely unaware of many of the

resources available to assist the most vulnerable citizens within Anne Arundel County.

This was particularly brought out by the number of respondents who lacked any

knowledge or familiarity with the Community Action Agency itself – not to mention

other resources that are readily available to offer assistance and guidance.

Location Unity Fellowship St James Grace Total Food Pantry AACC Other

Survey Respondents 8 7 7 15 37 36 113

FOOD PANTRY EVENTS

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2018 COMMUNITY NEEDS

ASSESSMENT

Customer/Staff/Partner

Questionnaire for Interview

Community Action Agency of Anne Arundel County Inc. 251 West Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410.626.1900 www.aaccaa.org

http://www.aaccaa.org/

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2018 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT CUSTOMER/STAFF/PARTNER QUESTIONNAIRE

The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of how individuals, families and children are faring in terms of having their

basic economic, housing, education, health, and social needs met. Your responses will be used to help better inform the funding and

future operations of the Community Action Agency.

Part I – Identified Areas of Need

What do you perceive as the areas of greatest need within your community? For each section, please circle those areas that most apply to your

answer. The qualitative response process will allow the interviewee to address specific items.

Mark with H = High M = Medium L = Low (or leave blank)

A) _____ CHILD CARE: Accessibility / Licenses centers / Special needs / Facilities / Time availability / Affordability

B) _____ EDUCATION: Quality of K-12 / After-School programs / GED programs / ESOL / College expenses /

Crime prevention / Life-Skills training / Facilities / Drop-out rate

C) _____ EMPLOYMENT: Jobs / Skill dependency / Summer youth / Career counseling / Vocational training /

Computer literacy / Criminal background / Wage competitiveness / Benefits / Advancement opportunities

D) _____ FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: Emergency assistance / Resource knowledge / Seniors / Supervised

activities / Youth recreation / non-English assistance / Juvenile crime resources / Child abuse or neglect /

Prison re-integration / Homelessness / Gang activity / Police protection / Legal assistance / Domestic

violence

E) _____ FINANCIAL LITERACY: Budgeting / Credit score and factors / Banking / Wealth building / Retirement

F) _____ FOOD AND NUTRITION: Costs assistance / Affordability / Fresh fruits and vegetables / Local grocer /

Farmer’s Market / Food Pantries / Food stamp resources / Home deliveries

G) _____ HEALTH CARE: Services / Affordability / Accessibility / Assisted living / Disability services / Alcohol or

Drug / Mental Health / HIV counseling / Medicaid acceptance / Health Insurance costs / Knowledge of

provider capabilities / Dental / Specialists / Pregnancy services

H) _____ HOUSING: Safety / Sanitation / Affordability / Deposit requirements / Rental / Senior / Accessible / Public /

Energy and Utility costs / Energy and Utility dependability / Homeless shelters / Emergency shelters /

Repairs

I) _____ SAFETY: At Home / Community / Workplace / Schools / Transportation

J) _____ TRANSPORTATION: Bus Routes / Bus Timelines / Financial Assistance Resources / Cost of car

ownership / Driver’s license accessibility / To School / To Medical / To Work / To grocery store, etc.

K) _____ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Accessibility / Facilities / Time availability / Employment Training / Staffing /

Education / Trauma / Soft Skills Development

L)_____ OTHER AREAS OF NEED:

(Please go on to Part II of the survey.)

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Part I – Identified Areas of Need - Qualitative Response

This page is dedicated for the Interviewer to record the qualitative feedback received during the quantitative

response.

THIS SAMPLE SURVEY IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

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Part II – Demographic Information Response

The information in Part II shall be treated as confidential in nature and is being gathered for statistical purposes only.

For questions 1-8, please circle your response. For questions 9-11, please write in your response.

1. Are you familiar with the Community Action Agency: Yes No

______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you have a relationship with Community Action: Customer Volunteer Staff Partner None

______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Area of Anne Arundel County in which you live:

a. City of Annapolis b. North c. Central d. West e. South

______________________________________________________________________________________

4. The race that best defines you:

a. Black/not Hispanic b. White/not Hispanic c. Hispanic Origin

d. Native American/Alaskan Origin e. Asian/Pacific Islander f. Other

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Your gender: a. Male b. Female c. transgender

___________________________________________________________________________________

6. Your family type:

a. Single Parent/Female b. Single Parent/Male c. Two-Parent Household- Traditional

d. Single Person e. Two Adults/no children f. Two-Parent Household- Domestic Partners

g. Grandparents raising children

_____________________________________________________________________________________

7. Your educational level:

a. Grade 8 or less b. Grade 9 – 12/non graduate c. High school graduate/GED

d. 12 + some post-secondary e. 2- or 4-year college graduate

_________________________________________________________________________________________

8. The amount that best represents your annual household income:

a. Under $10,000 b. $10,001 - $30,000 c. $30,001 - $50,000

d. $50,001 - $60,000 e. above

$75,000,000

$25,001

$60,000

_____________________________________________________________________________________

9. The total number of persons in your household: (Write in your answer.) _____

________________________________________________________________________________

10. The number of people in your household between the ages of: (Write in your answer.)

a. 0 – 5___ b. 6 – 11___ c. 12 – 17___ d. 18 – 23___

e. 24 – 44 ___ f. 45 – 54 ___ g. 55 – 69 ___ h. 70 and over ___

_____________________________________________________________________________________

11. The number of disabled people in your household between the ages of: (Write in your answer.)

a. 0 – 5___ b. 6 – 11___ c. 12 – 17___ d. 18 – 23___

e. 24 – 44 ___ f. 45 – 54___ g. 55 – 69___ h. 70 and over___

___________________________________________________________________________________

12. Do you feel that homelessness is a problem in the area? _____Yes _____No

THANK YOU We appreciate you taking the time to fill out our survey and helping Community Action Agency of Anne Arundel County, Inc.

develop a better understanding of the current needs within the communities we serve.

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Survey Data: Categorical Summary

To the extent that the eleven subject categories were identified as areas of need by survey

respondents, the following sections of this report provide a summary of that data to include

responses by type (high, medium, or low). An Area of Need that scored a 1 out or 11 in a given

category received the most survey scaled points and the Area of Need that scored an 11 received

the least survey scaled points in the given category.

Additionally, each category is allocated specific consideration for those sub-categories within the

survey that were the most emphasized throughout the responses. Critical qualitative responses in

which the Project Team found a particularly impactful insight are also included.

Scoring for the survey (with categories ranked in priority of need from 1 to 11) is based upon the

following scale:

Given the high number of categories that were given no response by the survey respondents (i.e.

not marked as either High, Medium or Low areas of need), the survey team felt that it was

appropriate to assign a value to the non-response (in this case a value of 0). If a respondent went

out of their way to give a score of “Low” to an area of need, it was clear that the identified area

was less in need than a non-response.

Child Care

• Survey Responses by Type:

• Most identified/emphasized sub-category

Affordability concerns related to Child Care was the most stressed sub-category.

• Critical Qualitative Responses

A lack of affordable child care options was a particularly noted theme – and one that was

pervasive in impact to other categories of need such as education and employment. As a

result of this area of need, other children or adult family members are clearly being

prevented from pursuing improvements to their employment or education status.

High Medium Low No Response

Score per Survey 2 1 -1 0

SCORING SCALE - PER RESPONSE

High Medium Low No Response Rank (out of 11)

Food Pantries 10 5 11 11

27% 14% 30% 30%

AACC 14 12 4 6

39% 33% 11% 17%

Other 60 22 19 12

53% 19% 17% 11%

Total 84 39 34 29

45% 21% 18% 16%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Child Care

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11

11

11

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Education



College expenses was the most identified sub-category with Education.


While rarely noted as an area of need, a few respondents did mention the education or

training requirements for several of the available jobs within Anne Arundel County. This

points to a need to train and educate this population in order to make them capable of

applying to and succeeding in a more highly technical job market.

Employment



Both skill dependency and criminal background requirements were the most emphasized

sub-category for employment.


A number of qualitative responses within the Employment survey category were centered

around a cycle of dependency by the respondents. Specifically, there was a level of

concern that any salary or benefits gained by available employment wouldn’t be enough

to replace or significantly improve upon the assistance, income or benefits that are

currently offered by Social Security, Medicaid, TANF, etc.



30% 22% 19% 30%

AACC 18 11 2 5

50% 31% 6% 14%

Other 70 22 11 10

62% 19% 10% 9%

Total 99 41 20 26

53% 22% 11% 14%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Education

2

8

6

7



41% 19% 19% 22%

AACC 19 12 3 2

53% 33% 8% 6%

Other 80 16 17 0

71% 14% 15% 0%

Total 114 35 27 10

61% 19% 15% 5%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Employment

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1

2

2

10

A second theme of Employment need was the difficulty of finding gainful employment

due to criminal backgrounds, drug dependence (opioids), or other factors that provided

either a real or perceived barrier to entry in the workforce.

Finally, there were several respondents who were unable to pursue employment because

they were required at home as full-time care givers to their spouses, children, or

grandchildren.

Family Support Services



Homelessness was the most emphasized sub-category within Family Support Services.


N/A

Financial Literacy



Retirement was the most emphasized sub-category within Financial Literacy.




46% 19% 8% 27%

AACC 19 9 5 3

53% 25% 14% 8%

Other 76 26 11 0

67% 23% 10% 0%

Total 112 42 19 13

60% 23% 10% 7%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Family Support Services

1

1

3

6



35% 30% 8% 27%

AACC 17 14 3 2

47% 39% 8% 6%

Other 63 25 17 8

56% 22% 15% 7%

Total 93 50 23 20

50% 27% 12% 11%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Financial Literacy

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8

8

2

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A key area of need within this survey category is a literacy program that would address

the benefits, requirements and path towards home ownership. Several respondents noted

that they would prefer to own their own home, but were unable or lacking in the

knowledge required to purchase and finance a home.

One senior citizen also noted that given the amount of mail and other sources of

incoming information, he felt unprepared to properly respond to the options available.

Food and Nutrition



Fresh fruits and vegetables was the most emphasized sub-category under Food &

Nutrition.


A common theme for food and nutrition needs was the lack of fresh fruit, vegetables and

meat available at food pantry locations. This shortage was typically caused by the

requirement to safely store and preserve perishable type foods. As a result, those

respondents who were dependent upon food pantries to supplement their food and

nutrition were often left without key nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables. It was

not a lack of affordable or free food that concerned them – but rather a lack of well-

rounded dietary options.

Additionally, despite the relative availability of food pantries as resources, there seemed

to be a lack of options for the disabled or others who lacked an adequate way to transport

themselves or their collected items either to or from the locations. Some respondents

even noted the fact that by not qualifying for food stamps, they were limited in their

ability to find or pursue affordable food options. This created (as was seen in the

employment section) a perverse incentive to become dependent upon government

programs.

Of note, several respondents were keen to point out that the available affordable or free

food options were able to indirectly supplement their ability to afford other services or

necessities. In saving money via the food pantry network, these respondents were able to

better afford a car payment, utilities, or other basic necessity.



51% 22% 14% 14%

AACC 17 12 5 2

47% 33% 14% 6%

Other 67 29 16 1

59% 26% 14% 1%

Total 103 49 26 8

55% 26% 14% 4%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Food & Nutrition

2

7

5

4

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Health Care



Dental was the most emphasized sub-category within Health Care.


Several respondents addressed the lack of affordable healthcare, but the only consistent

theme was a lack of affordable dental care, particularly for those on Medicaid.

Housing



Accessibility was the most emphasized sub-category within Housing.


In several cases and interviews, there was a clear lack of understanding of the resources

available to help citizens pursue and qualify for affordable housing. While this points to

a lack of education or literacy on these topics, it is also clear that several citizens in need

are not aware of readily available resources within their communities. One respondent

claimed to have been on a waiting list for five years waiting on a voucher and another



49% 14% 19% 19%

AACC 19 11 4 2

53% 31% 11% 6%

Other 76 19 15 3

67% 17% 13% 3%

Total 113 35 26 12

61% 19% 14% 6%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Health Care

5

2

3

3



46% 38% 8% 8%

AACC 17 13 3 3

47% 36% 8% 8%

Other 74 18 18 3

65% 16% 16% 3%

Total 108 45 24 9

58% 24% 13% 5%

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Housing

4

5

5

4

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had been on a wait list for nine years without any contact. Several respondents also noted

the need for ADA compliant affordable housing. (NOTE: There is currently a long wait

for subsidized housing options in the county, which is cited in detail in the Poverty

Amidst Plenty portion of the Community Needs Assessment)

Safety



There was not a particularly emphasized sub-category within Safety.


N/A

• Key Demographic Trends

Transportation



Bus Routes and To Work were the most emphasized sub-categories within

Transportation.


As was noted earlier, this was a theme that was noted at almost every survey location and



19% 24% 35% 22%

AACC 14 13 4 5

39% 36% 11% 14%

Other 60 33 18 2

53% 29% 16% 2%

Total 81 55 35 15

44% 30% 19% 8%

11

9

7

10

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Safety



65% 5% 19% 11%

AACC 14 16 3 3

39% 44% 8% 8%

Other 60 30 14 9

53% 27% 12% 8%

Total 98 48 24 16

53% 26% 13% 9%

1

7

8

6

IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Transportation

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across a wide range of demographics. A lack of publicly available and affordable

transportation options was a driving force behind many other areas of need to include

employment and access to other services. Lack of transportation is clearly a causal factor

in many of the areas of poverty and need within the county.

Despite the lack of bus routes within the county, several respondents were left without

transportation due to relatively easily identifiable opportunities for improvement –to

include dead batteries, simple repairs, etc.

Youth Development



Soft Skills Development was the most emphasized sub-category within Youth

Development.


N/A

Other Areas of Need

There were several respondents who commented on a lack of services available to

military veterans. This included in the areas of job training, healthcare, and general

support services.

SURVEY PROJECT TAKEAWAYS

While the previous surveys were all weighted with an equal scoring system, the below summary

table provides a summary of survey quantitative results where the survey responses from the

“Other” category are eliminated if the respondents were identified via demographic data as

having household income above the 2018 Federal Poverty guidance (as summarized in the table

below).



27% 11% 22% 41%

AACC 13 15 4 4

36% 42% 11% 11%

Other 59 28 12 14

52% 25% 11% 12%

Total 82 47 24 33

44% 25% 13% 18%

10

9

9

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IDENTIFIED AREAS OF NEED - Youth Development

Persons in Family/Household 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Maximum Income 12,140$ 16,460$ 20,780$ 25,100$ 29,420$ 33,740$ 38,060$ 42,380$

2018 FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES

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Survey Summary Results – Federal Poverty Guidelines

The data from the surveys seems to speak for itself. Family Support Services, Health Care, and

Food/Nutrition were routinely identified on the quantitative front as the County’s top areas of

need across various survey respondents and types. Conversely Child Care, Safety and Youth

Development were rarely identified in the quantitative responses as having critical current needs

by the respondents. On the other hand, Transportation was most often mentioned in the

qualitative reflections as one might expect – given that it scored as the highest area of need for

Food Pantry events in which the majority of qualitative data was collected. Not surprisingly,

both Employment and Education scored high in the AACC surveys – where the Project Team did

expect to find such an emphasis from survey respondents who are engaged in college course

work and preparation for employment.

Taken in total, the data is fairly consistent and pointed towards the County’s most pressing needs

during this survey cycle. The Project Team is hopeful that the survey data will be useful in

highlighting key service gaps or systemic barriers that impact quality of life issues. Continual

engagement is needed, but these results provide a realistic view across the county on current

areas of need for community services and support.

OTHER QUALITATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

The Community Action Agency hosted several Youth Development Roundtable discussions

throughout 2017 and 2018 that are worth noting in this report. These roundtables consisted of a

committee volunteers, outside Agencies and Community Action employees whose work

specifically relates to Youth Development. The emphasis of the Roundtable was to focus on

“Life Pathways” that are seen as best practices in engaging youth. These pathways consist of

Education, Employment/Entrepreneurship and Trauma – where Trauma is noted as a barrier to

the other pathways. Community Action wants to develop programming that will facilitate the

Agency becoming a “holistic” place to assist and nurture through all pathways. The education

pathway is not only for the youth the Agency will serve, but to reach families through a broad

FOOD PANTRIES AACC OTHER TOTAL

Child Care 10 11 11 11

Education 8 2 5 7

Employment 7 1 3 4

Family Support Svcs 3 6 1 1

Financial Literacy 5 2 9 8

Food/Nutrition 2 7 4 3

Health Care 5 2 2 2

Housing 4 5 6 6

Safety 11 9 8 10

Transportation 1 7 7 5

Youth Dev 9 9 9 9

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spectrum approach. One of the biggest takeaways from the Roundtables was a lack of youth

programming in West and South Anne Arundel County. Another point of emphasis focused on

by the roundtables was the need to focus on outreach to families with infants and toddlers.

The Community Action Agency also hosted several other community engagement events

focused on gathering qualitative data related to the Needs Assessment. The emphasis on these

outreach events was to engage with members of public housing communities or other typical

Community Action Agency clients. During these engagements, the attendees noted a deep need

for Youth Programming at all ages. This need is driven by a lack of affordable day care and

inaccessible or non-existent healthy youth programming options. Additional needs were

identified with Transportation as a root cause. This lack of affordable and available

transportation was seen as having negative effects on opportunities for steady employment and

engagement of youth in after school programming or athletic/structured social activities. Finally,

there was an identified need for Social caseworkers to help navigate readily available public

services.

anne arundel county community action agency, inc. community … · 2020. 8. 4. · anne arundel...

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