St. Louis County: Assessing Community Needs - Poverty, Crime, Disability, and Housing, Cheat Sheet of Biology

Download St. Louis County: Assessing Community Needs - Poverty, Crime, Disability, and Housing and more Cheat Sheet Biology in PDF only on Docsity! COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2017 Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. (CAASTLC) 1 BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTHS Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment 2017 Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. 2709 Woodson Road Overland, Missouri 63114 Phone: 314.863.0015 www.caastlc.org Authors: Heather Taylor, UMSL, BSW Candidate Angela McCall, Administrative Assistant Georgie Donahue, Program Administration Director Keith Robinson, Associate Director CSBG Randy Tempel, Community Garden Coordinator James Ingram, Employment Specialist 2 5 ADMINISTRATION, ADVISORS, & INTERNS CAASTLC Administrative Staff Cenia Bosman……..…………………………………………..………………….………………………Executive Director Georgie Donahue………………………………………...………………………..Program Administration Director George Robnett……………………………….……………………...........Housing and Support Services Director Mark Kurtz………………………………………………………………………………………………........Finance Director Susan Moss……………………………………………………..……………………….........Human Resources Director Katherine Lucas-Johnson…………………………………...............................................Public Relations Director Rick Reinbott……………………………………………………………………………..Contract Compliance Director Mike Clark…………………………………………...………………………………………………………...Project Manager CAASTLC Staff Advisors Cenia Bosman…………………………………………………………………………………………..Executive Director Georgie Donahue………………………………………………………………..Program Administration Director Angela McCall………………………………………………………………………………….Administrative Assistant Randy Tempel……………………………………………………………………...Community Garden Coordinator Keith Robinson………………………………………………………………………………...Associate Director CSBG CAASTLC Practicum Students Heather Taylor……………………………...……..................................................................UMSL, BSW Candidate Catherine Nguyen…………………..………………………………..Washington University, MSW Candidate Jo Robertson……………………...………………………………………………..University of Iowa, MPH Student Background This Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment was conducted March through September 2017, by CAASTLC staff/administrators and practicum students from the University of Missouri – Saint Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Iowa. The assessment was completed in conjunction with Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) requirements and as a resource to develop CAASTLC’s new three-year strategic plan. The purpose of this assessment was to ascertain critical needs in St. Louis County as identified by community members, stakeholders, and service providers, enabling CAASTLC to continue adapting programs and services to best meet community needs. Methodology CAASTLC collected data from community members through a combination of surveys and focus groups. Surveys and focus groups were facilitated in a variety of settings in order to reach a diverse group of respondents. In addition, data was included from various reputable publications to draw a comparison between the results of the data collected by CAASTLC and existing data on the population. Summary of Findings Surveys: Four different surveys were administered to collect data from a variety of individuals invested in the community. The first was completed by members of CAASTLC’s board of directors, the second by CAASTLC staff members, the third by partnering agencies and community stakeholders, and the final survey was completed by CAASTLC customers and community members. Listed below are the primary concerns that emerged from survey responses, which will be analyzed more thoroughly later in this report. Primary Concerns Note: Responses from several survey questions were combined into the category of basic needs due to their prevalence. Basic needs in this instance are defined as energy assistance, food, rent/mortgage assistance, dental insurance, and employment. Other primary concerns were drawn from the open- ended responses to questions 15 and 26. Focus Groups: A total of nine focus groups were conducted at various locations. Each group responded to three questions: “What are the root causes of poverty in St. Louis County?”, “Of the things being done to address poverty in St. Louis County, what do you think is helping the most?”, and, “If you had the resources and all the political barriers were removed, what one thing would you do to address poverty?”. Below is a list of twelve areas of concern. Twelve Areas of Concern 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Basic Needs Crime/Gun Violence/Safety Discrimination (Race, Age, Gender, Other) Finances/Wages/Income Disability Safe and Affordable Housing 7. Health/Healthcare 8. Policing 9. Transportation 10. Opportunities for Youth 11. Death of a Loved One 12. Education 1. Unemployment 7. Safe & Affordable Housing 2. Racism/Discrimination 8. Economy 3. Cycle of Poverty 9. Criminal Justice System 4. Finances/Income/Wages 10. Transportation 5. Health/Healthcare 11. Government/Bureaucracy 6. Education 12. Crime/Gun Violence/Safety Surveys Survey Design: To begin, CAASTLC staff attended a needs assessment training workshop in March 2017. After receiving this training, CAASTLC staff and practicum students thoroughly reviewed surveys and focus group questions from the previous Community Needs Assessment. Based on this review, they clarified and/or expanded existing categories and questions. Surveys were then re-drafted and revised multiple times based on staff feedback, until a final version was approved by consensus. Administration/Analysis of Surveys: Four different surveys were administered to collect data from a variety of individuals invested in the community. The first was completed by members of CAASTLC’s board of directors, the second by CAASTLC staff members, the third by partnering agencies and community stakeholders, and the final survey was completed by CAASTLC customers and community members. Surveys were distributed at CAASTLC’s Main, North County, and South County offices, at community events, meetings, resource fairs, and were available online via Survey Monkey. Community members were informed about the survey through: postings on CAASTLC’s website and social media, announcements at CAASTLC programs and events, agency/partner informational notecards with a QR code for the online survey, community informational cards, and word of mouth. Copies of blank surveys and informational cards can be seen in Appendices A-H. The surveys were administered both in-person and online via Survey Monkey. Physical surveys were then manually entered into Survey Monkey. All data was analyzed using Survey Monkey’s online descriptive analysis tools. Filters were created to sort data by questions and answers, depending on the variable of interest, illuminating trends in the data. Reports were created based on demographic categories. See charts below for respondent demographics, obtained from the survey completed by customers and community members. 7 METHODOLOGY Survey Respondents by ZIP Code Zip Code Frequency Percent % 63136 186 15.5 63121 128 10.7 63114 116 9.7 63137 96 8 63135 85 7.1 63130 80 6.7 63134 78 6.5 63138 75 6.3 63031 62 5.2 63033 54 4.5 63133 46 3.8 63074 40 3.3 63042 25 2.1 63132 22 1.8 63034 13 1.1 63043 13 1.1 63120 11 0.9 63044 9 0.8 63143 7 0.6 63125 6 0.5 63146 6 0.5 63021 4 0.3 63117 4 0.3 63119 4 0.3 63123 3 0.3 63088 2 0.2 63112 2 0.2 63122 2 0.2 The ethnic composition of all survey respondents (as shown above) was similar to the ethnic composition of CAASTLC customers who received services during fiscal year 2016-2017 as documented in CAASTLC’s database. The level of educational attainment for CAASTLC customers served during fiscal year 2016-2017 is similar to that of respondents. A higher number of those with some college experience completed the survey than CAASTLC customers. 10 METHODOLOGY Ethnic Composition 1.97% Hispanic Non-Hispanic 98.03% Highest Level of Education Attained 35 29.55 30 25 23.68 20 15 14.11 9.4 10 8.23 5 2.35 3.61 0 P er ce n ta ge The chart above reflects the household income of survey respondents. The chart above compares male and female respondents’ income levels. 11 METHODOLOGY Income 2% 1% 5% Less Than $10,000 17% $10,000-$14,999 $15,000-$24,999 $25,000-$34,999 56% $35,000-$49,999 19% More Than $50,000 Income by Gender More Than $50,000 Less Than $10,000 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Males The chart above shows blacks’ and whites’ income levels. 12 METHODOLOGY Income by Race More Than $50,000 Less Than $10,000 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Blacks poverty rates by race/age St. Louis County, MO maps of Poverty With cuts in federal and state programs occurring nationwide, local revenues declining, and the aftermath of the Great Recession’s impact on communities, a national trend of poverty spreading further into suburban areas has resulted. The level of poverty in St. Louis County since 2000 has drastically increased and has disproportionately affected mostly black communities in North St. Louis County. As a result, two extreme-poverty census tracts have developed, one in Spanish Lake (unincorporated St. Louis County) and one in the City of Wellston, impacting a combined population of 7,074 individuals. St. Louis County also went from ten high-poverty census tracts to 24, most of which are located in North St. Louis County. More than 54 percent of blacks are located in the extreme- or high-poverty census tract areas compared to 9.5 percent of whites in St. Louis County who live in an extreme- or high-poverty census tract area (St. Louis County, 2011). “Poor persons living in poor neighborhoods experience a ‘double burden’ – a burden that extends beyond the limitations of their own individual poverty to the disadvantages of the place in which they live. Concentrated poverty has serious implications for communities, including safety, quality of education, access to jobs, health of its residents, stability of its neighborhoods, and resources available for services” (St. Louis County, 2011). The entire community regardless of socioeconomic circumstances faces a decrease in home values, failing schools and a rise in crime. Additionally, local governments are unable to meet the basic needs of residents and invest in improving their communities such as bringing in new jobs and improving the infrastructure. The maps above display the difference in the number of extreme-poverty tracts in 2000, which was at zero, and the extreme-poverty tracts (in red) that developed by 2011 in the City of Wellston and in the unincorporated St. Louis County’s Spanish Lake area. 15 ST. LOUIS COUNTY POPULATION OVERVIEW ST. LOUIS COUNTY POPULATION OVERVIEW African American Poverty Rate, 2011 + St. Louis County, Missouri 7 African American Poverty Rate HE &-29% | ores 1) te 199% GN 2-22 a PLANNING Source: ACS & Year Oats, 2007-2011 16  ST. LOUIS COUNTY POPULATION OVERVIEW White Poverty Rate, 2011 St. Louis County, Missouri + Soiot Louis PLANNING Source: ACS 6 Year Oata, 2007-2011 17  The primary concerns of survey respondents are highlighted in this section, in order of their greatest concern or need. Basic Needs CAASTLC’s ability to assist customers with meeting basic needs through programs such as food assistance and utility bill assistance is crucial to their household’s health and survival. Respondents who have their basic needs met can better focus on improving other important areas such as employment and education through CAASTLC’s programs. The top five basic needs identified by respondents in the survey were energy assistance, food, rent/mortgage assistance, dental insurance, and employment. The chart above shows the ability of respondents to meet basic needs every month. The chart above shows the respondents’ knowledge of where to get assistance when needed. 20 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Ability to Meet Basic Monthly Needs Yes, on my own 9.34% 23.85% Yes, with help from a service organization Sometimes 50.04% Not very often Knowledgeable of Where to Get Assistance 35.06% Yes 64.94% Energy: Assistance with paying energy bills is the number one concern of the respondents in the survey. According to a nationwide study, low-income households devote up to three times as much income to energy costs as higher-income households (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy [ACEEE]). The “energy burden” for low-income households on average is 7.2 percent of household income; higher income households pay 2.3 percent. For African American households, the cities with the greatest energy burdens were Memphis, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Kansas City, Birmingham, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. St. Louis also ranks in the top 15 cities found to have the worst energy burdens for low-income and minority households. If the housing stock for low-income families were brought up to the efficiency level of the average U.S. home, 35 percent of the average low-income energy burden would be eliminated. For African American and Latino households, the excess energy burden would be reduced even more, 42 percent and 68 percent respectively (ACEEE, 2016). Ariel Drehobl, research analyst and lead report author for the ACEEE, said: “We found that the overwhelming majority of low-income and households of color in major US cities experienced higher energy burdens when compared to the average household in the same city. Families who face higher energy burdens experience many negative long-term effects on their health and well-being. These families are at greater risk for respiratory diseases and increased stress, and they can experience increased economic hardship and difficulty in moving out of poverty.” Often, low-income families are forced to choose between food on the table or keeping the lights on. Seniors are forced to choose between purchasing much needed prescriptions or heat and hot water. Renter households also experience higher energy burdens. Renters pay almost 20 percent more per square foot than homeowners, an indication that they live in less efficient homes. Research shows that dealing with a high energy burden can affect the mental and physical health of families by increasing financial stress, respiratory problems, heart disease, and cases of asthma, arthritis, and rheumatism. The elderly and children are the most susceptible to these health issues caused by improperly heated or cooled homes. Inequality and Energy Affordability If income does not increase for all households on par with changes in energy costs, the household energy burden for low-income and disadvantaged households will increase in future years. Furthermore, in the largest U.S. cities, income inequality continues to rise and consistently remains higher than the national average (Stone et. al., 2015). Between 1979 and 2007, the average income of the bottom 99 percent of households grew by 18.9 percent, while the average income of the top 1 percent of households grew by 200.5 percent (Sommeiller and Price, 2015; Desilver, 2015). Slow income growth—or even real income decline at the lowest levels—can lead to more extensive economic hardship and unaffordable energy costs. According to a 2016 Brookings report, declining incomes are an influential factor in present day inequality, as most households in cities experience growing income inequality between the top 5 percent and bottom 20 percent of households (Berube and Holmes, 2015). From 2004 to 2014, average US residential electricity prices increased from 9 cents/kWh to 12.5 cents/kWh, an increase of 39 percent (EIA 2016a). In contrast, average adjusted income grew from $29,900 in 2004 to $30,180 in 2014, an increase of 0.9 percent (Census Bureau 2014). If energy prices continue to increase more rapidly than income, energy burden will continue to grow for vulnerable households (Drehobl & Ross, 2016). 21 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Increasing investment in energy efficiency programs is a strategy that could compliment weatherization programs and bill assistance to help reduce the energy burden of low-income households. Food: “Food insecurity and poverty are clearly connected—poverty is the best single predictor of food insecurity, and hunger strongly correlates with lower educational achievement, unemployment and impaired work performance” (University of Missouri-Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security, 2016). Food insecurity is a persistent problem in St. Louis County households. In 2015, 16.1 percent of St. Louis County residents were uncertain of where their next meals were coming from, with 7.6 percent of residents experiencing both food uncertainty and hunger. Large swaths of St. Louis County, particularly North St. Louis County, do not feature full-service grocery stores or other outlets where residents may buy fresh healthful food. Accessibility is further hampered by limited transportation barriers. Consequently, these areas have been designated food deserts by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which defines the term as “a low-income census tract where either a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store.” In food deserts, fast food restaurants and convenience stores may act as a community’s main food supply, and food-insecure residents must grapple with nutritionally-deficient food options. According to the Missouri Hunger Atlas, “Foods that tend to be cheaper and more widely available are also typically high in calories and low in nutrition and this contributes to levels of health vulnerabilities.” The coalition Missourians to End Poverty states, “Research has demonstrated that poverty is positively correlated both with food insecurity and with chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension.” Food assistance is provided to St. Louis County residents in many forms, including pantries, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and students’ free and reduced lunch program. In 2015, 10.7 percent of the total County population participated in SNAP, or 106,706 individuals on a monthly basis, less than half of eligible families. In 2015, WIC served 6,286 infants and children on a monthly basis. With less than a third of eligible infants and children being served by the program, the rate of WIC participation was very low. In 2015, 44.7 percent of students were eligible for free and reduced lunch programs. With three-quarters of eligible students participating, the rate of student participation was low compared to the state average. Rent/Mortgage Assistance: The federal government suggests the costs for housing should be no more than 30 percent of a person’s income. However, a study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that 67 percent of the income a minimum wage worker earns would go towards paying rent on a two-room apartment listed at fair market value. Compound this percentage with the income a Missouri worker earning less than $30,000 spends for utilities per year, and there is little income available for other household expenses, such as food, transportation, and childcare. St. Louis County is one of the most expensive places to rent a home in Missouri. Finding affordable housing is a challenge without housing assistance programs for low-income workers, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The fair market monthly cost to rent a two-bedroom housing unit in St. Louis County is $896.00. With Missouri’s minimum wage at $7.70 an hour, a person can only afford to pay $400 towards rent, 30 percent of a low-wage worker’s income. Thus, a person making minimum wage would have to work 90 hours a week to afford renting a 2-bedroom home at $896.00 a month (NLIHC). The number of one-person or more households renting in St. Louis County with total incomes less than $34,999.00 is 60,795 households out of the 119,740-total number of households renting (ACS, 2015). 22 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS health” (NBC News, 2017). The announcement was made in response to the passage of Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), which weakened anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, making it more challenging for victims of discrimination to challenge employers’ unlawful practices. Previously, workers were only required to prove that their protected status was a “contributing factor,” but under SB 43, they must show through documentation that it “motivated” their mistreatment. “The measure also caps damages for successful plaintiffs based on the size of the company and curbs protections for whistleblowers as well” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2017). Not only does the passage of this bill affect employment opportunities for vulnerable populations, but this legislation could jeopardize $600,000 in federal funding for the state, due to noncompliance with Fair Housing Act standards (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2017). One category of discrimination that is not highlighted elsewhere in this report is age discrimination in employment. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA), “2.5 million older Americans want a job but do not have one” (Miller, 2016). In addition, “two-thirds of older workers believe age discrimination occurs in the workplace, according to a 2013 survey by AARP” (Miller, 2016). This belief is supported by 2015 SCEPA data showing that older job seekers need 36 weeks to find a job, while their younger counterparts need just 26 weeks (Miller, 2016). These and other statistics regarding discrimination mentioned in this needs assessment showcase the importance of ensuring robust anti- discrimination protections in the region. Finances, Wages, & Income Income: In conjunction with racial disparities in employment, household incomes are also substantially different between races. The median household income for white residents is $72,499 compared to a median household income of just $43,604 for black residents, and $46,262 for Hispanics (ACS, 2016). This trend was also greatly emphasized in the responses of survey and focus group participants. Poverty levels are also significantly higher among blacks than whites in St. Louis County. While just 5.7 percent of whites are below the poverty level, 16.5 percent of blacks live in poverty (ACS, 2016). This distinction is also evidenced in child poverty rates. 66.48 percent of impoverished children (aged 0-5) are black, compared to 19.91 percent white children, 9.09 percent multiple race, 2.76 percent some other race, and 1.66 percent Asian (ACS, 2015). Banking: In 2013, nearly 30 percent of Missouri households were un- or underbanked, and a disproportionate number of them were Black (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 2014)….When people do not feel comfortable with or have convenient access to or knowledge of mainstream, traditional banking options, they often turn to alternative financial services (e.g., check cashers, payday lenders, pay cards, etc.) that are expensive and that provide scant means for savings that leads to wealth (U.S. Department of Treasury, 2011). As noted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “unbanked consumers spend approximately 2.5 to 3 percent of a government benefits check and between 4 percent and 5 percent of payroll check just to cash them. Additional dollars are spent to purchase money orders to pay routine monthly expenses (Ferguson Commission, 2015). These trends in banking were evident among survey respondents. While 61.89 percent of CAASTLC’s respondents do not have a checking account, including 64.66 percent of all blacks, there is a noticeable difference of 43.48 percent of white respondents and 34.04 percent of respondents aged 65 and over not having a checking account. 75.88 percent of all respondents do not have a savings account. 25 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Received a Bank Loan RECEIVED A LOAN All Respondents Black Respondents White Respondents Although a small percentage of respondents have ever applied for a bank loan at 27.44 percent, 58.33 percent of white respondents who did apply received a loan compared to 29.20 percent of black respondents as shown in the following chart. 58.33% 33.94% 29.20% Payday/Quick Loans The percentage of all respondents who have ever applied for a payday or quick loan is at 43.73 percent. The chart above displays the financial literacy services respondents would like to access. Disability 24.4 percent of St. Louis County households contain one or more individuals with a disability (Disability Planning Data, 2011). Individuals with disabilities in the region confront barriers to their thriving. “In 2015, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in MO was 34.5 percent” (Cornell University – Disability Statistics). According to local advocacy groups, 67 percent of 26 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Respondents' Preferred Financial Literacy Service NONE 32.25% AVOIDING PREDATORY LENDING SAVING IN GENERAL 32.25% SAVING FOR RETIREMENT 22.62% CREDIT COUNSELING 35.60% BUDGETING 39.48% BANKING SERVICES EDUCATION 15.08% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% individuals with disabilities in Missouri experience unemployment. Yet, “the vast majority (more than 90%) of employment discrimination cases filed nationwide based on disability are settled in favor of the employer” (Paraquad). This causes additional concern about the passage of SB 43, mentioned in the previous section. These challenges cause economic strains and heightened stress for individuals with disabilities and their families, who may already be dealing with social and financial stressors. Missouri residents with disabilities earn a median annual household income of $36,600, while those without disabilities earn $60,100 annually. 29.1 percent of Missourians with disabilities experience poverty, compared to 11.4 percent of those without disabilities (Cornell University - Disability Statistics, 2015). Safe and Affordable Housing The need for safe and affordable housing was emphasized by survey respondents and focus group participants alike. This is important because the impact of housing extends beyond just providing shelter. Recent research suggests that the lack of stable housing is a primary driver of high healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes for low-income people (Taylor et al., 2015). When provided housing support, lower-income, high-need individuals use fewer healthcare resources, leading to substantial net savings (Taylor et al., 2015) (Ferguson Commission, 2015). As a result of the high percentage of monthly income residents must invest in their rent, some areas in St. Louis County experience high rates of foreclosure and vacancy. According to a 2012 St. Louis County Housing Study focused on the North County and Lemay areas, a number of factors have necessitated additional housing support (Development Strategies, 2012). Since 2005 in North County alone, approximately 13 of every 100 homes experienced foreclosure. In 27 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS The chart above shows healthcare services respondents find most difficult to access. The chart above shows counseling services most difficult for respondents to access. Counseling Services: 41.30 percent of white males responded that there are support groups available in their community to meet emotional needs, compared to 39.63 percent of all respondents stating that they “didn’t know”. 30 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Healthcare Services Most Difficult to Access 24.30% Mental Health 16.48% 28.96% 12.66% Ongoing Conditions Emergency Care 60.99% 11.73% Dental Vision None Counseling Services Most Difficult to Access 10.27% 7.93% 43.95% 6.61% 31.23% Overcoming Trauma Grief Relationship Depression None The Wordle above illustrates concerns related to policing in St. Louis County. Policing St. Louis County, specifically the City of Ferguson, MO, became a flash point for protests against police discrimination and brutality in America, in August 2014, when an unarmed black teen was shot and killed by a white police officer. Issues related to policing continue to be a problem in St. Louis County and in the entire St. Louis Metropolitan area. The grounds for this suspicion of the law enforcement community is the disproportionate representation of white officers in predominantly black St. Louis County municipalities among other issues. According to a survey by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, of 31 St. Louis County municipalities where blacks comprised 10 percent or more of the population, there was only one town in which black representation on the police department was equal or greater than the percentage of black residents. In Velda City, though 95 percent of residents are black, they make up only 20 percent of their police department. Flordell Hills is 91 percent black, with only 25 percent of the police force consisting of black officers. In Normandy, which is 71 percent black, only 14 percent of their officers were black; Bellefontaine Neighbors, 73 and 3 and Riverview, 70 and 0. These numbers foster distrust between black residents and predominantly white police officers and illustrate the need for ongoing programming and educational efforts to ameliorate the disparities and distrust. St. Louis County is comprised of 90 municipalities, including the City of Ferguson. The United States Department of Justice published an “Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department” in 2015. The following two passages from that report provide context for the black and low-income experience in St. Louis County: 31 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Ferguson’s law enforcement practices are shaped by the City’s focus on revenue rather than by public safety needs. This emphasis on revenue has compromised the institutional character of Ferguson’s police department, contributing to a pattern of unconstitutional policing, and has also shaped its municipal court, leading to procedures that raise due process concerns and inflict unnecessary harm on members of the Ferguson community. Further, Ferguson’s police and municipal court practices both reflect and exacerbate existing racial bias, including racial stereotypes. Ferguson’s own data establish clear racial disparities that adversely impact African Americans. The evidence shows that discriminatory intent is part of the reason for these disparities. Over time, Ferguson’s police and municipal court practices have sown deep mistrust between parts of the community and the police department, undermining law enforcement legitimacy among African Americans in particular. Together, these court practices exacerbate the harm of Ferguson’s unconstitutional police practices. They impose a particular hardship upon Ferguson’s most vulnerable residents, especially upon those living in or near poverty. Minor offenses can generate crippling debts, result in jail time because of an inability to pay, and result in the loss of a driver’s license, employment, or housing (U.S. Department of Justice, 2015). Williams and Williams-Morris (2000) explain the harmful outcomes of these practices: The high level of police surveillance may be an important but neglected source of stress in the lives of many African Americans. The threat of a humiliating encounter with law enforcement officers may lead to a high level of psychological arousal…many African Americans engage in a broad range of anticipatory coping strategies to avoid or minimize exposure to discriminatory experiences, including encounters with the police” (p. 259). Transportation St. Louis residents face numerous challenges when meeting their transportation needs. “Approximately one in four of the region’s jobs are reachable within a 90-minute transit trip” (For the Sake of All, 2015). Unfortunately, all residents are not equally equipped to make the long commute. Only 5.2 percent of white households cannot access a car compared to 23.5 percent of black households lacking access to a vehicle. Those who are fortunate enough to have access to quality personal transportation must deal with the high cost of transportation in the area. In St. Louis County, the average household spends 23 percent of their budget on maintaining transportation, compared to 19 percent in St. Louis City (For the Sake of All, 2015). The need for quality and affordable transportation was expressed by survey respondents. Most reported needing transportation assistance with a personal vehicle (32.18 percent) while 23.95 percent responded that improvements need to be made to public transportation. However, respondents over 65 (35.29 percent) stated the need to improve public transportation as their top priority. 32 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS costs and overall funeral expenses such as: cremation, public aid, indigent burial assistance, funeral financing, charity organizations, and fundraising. The need for resources to provide financial and emotional assistance for burial expenses is the number eleven primary concern for survey respondents. Education Education is integral to economic mobility and flourishing. Sadly, inequalities in education have resulted in reduced educational attainment and academic achievement for blacks in the St. Louis region. About 1 in 10 African American high school students dropped out of school. Unless they resume their education, this places them at high risk for both lower incomes and poorer health. These students are likely to earn about $7,000 less per year than high school graduates. Their lifetime earnings loss (ranging from $347,000 to $739,410) reduces purchasing power at regional businesses, lowers tax receipts, and adds to the costs of social services and unemployment assistance. Using earnings alone, St. Louis leaves $694 million to $1.5 billion ‘on the table’ when we let dropouts occur. In St. Louis, a high percentage of African American students are performing at the below basic level on the MAP eighth grade math test, ranging from almost 1 in 10 in the best performing district to nearly 6 in 10 in the lowest performing district. This level of performance indicates a significant need to intervene in early grades and suggests troubling educational and health outcomes if left unaddressed (For the Sake of All, 2015). The final primary concern expressed by survey respondents is education. Education has been shown to be an important predictor of health outcomes. Health and education are closely related and this relationship moves in two directions: higher levels of education are associated with good health, and children and families in good health tend to have better education-related outcomes …People with less education face disadvantages in health, such as more risk factors for poor health, higher rates of disease, and shorter lifespans. For example, compared to those with higher levels of education, Americans with less education are more likely to have health problems, to smoke, and to be obese. Research shows that compared with college graduates, U.S. adults without a high school diploma are likely to die 9 years sooner. This means that education is actually a very powerful health intervention (For the Sake of All, 2015). The chart above asks if quality education is available for children of all ages in respondents’ community. 35 STATE OF THE COUNTY: COMMUNITY CONCERNS Is Quality Education Available for Children of All Ages in Your Community? 21.01% 36.48% Yes No 42.51% Don’t Know According to results from the Community Survey, almost 75 percent of respondents have either previously used or are currently using CAASTLC services. Services are listed and described in the following section. COMMUNITY OUTREACH Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) Missouri’s Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) is a unique experience that helps community participants understand what life is like with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress. Participants role-play the lives of low-income families, including single parents, people with disabilities, and senior citizens on Social Security. Each “family” spends 15 minutes (representing a week) exploring community resources as they seek food, housing, and other basic necessities. Afterward, participants discuss how their local community can be improved. This experience aims to raise awareness among service providers and community stakeholders about the daily lives and needs of the low-income families in the communities which they serve. Step Up to Leadership Step Up to Leadership is a 12-week curriculum designed for income eligible community-minded people wanting to make a difference. The program helps participants develop leadership skills and turn their civic passions into action. Topics cover the value of grassroots participation, goal-setting, non-profit boards, successful collaboration, parliamentary procedures, public speaking, negotiation and conflict resolution. Community Gardens CAASTLC operates six community garden sites throughout St. Louis County helping people cultivate fresh and affordable produce. Additionally, community members strengthen their neighborhood’s social bonds by interacting with their neighbors and creating a place of beauty and pride in their community. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) – Seeds of Hope Farm CAASTLC initiated Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) –Sites located in Spanish Lake and Bel- Ridge, municipalities which are designated as food deserts. CSA connects low-income families with fresh, nutritious organically grown produce. Eligible families can participate in CSA and receive produce through reduced cost or volunteer service. Teen Farm Intern Program CAASTLC’s summer internship offers Spanish Lake, MO teens meaningful opportunities to grow produce on an urban farm, develop leadership in sustainable agricultural practices, and lead community dialogue around food system change and social justice. Veterans Support Services CAASTLC and partners host events and provide services for area veterans, including those who are homeless. CAASTLC participates in two annual events, “Veterans Stand Down” and “Stand Up for Women Veterans”. Other events offered include health exams and screenings, dental care, employment and housing referrals, legal assistance, clothing, toiletries, hot meals, and haircuts. HOUSING & ENERGY Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) CAASTLC’s trained and certified Energy Auditors conduct a thorough home energy and safety audit to identify health hazards, poor air quality and air leaks for income eligible home owners and renters. The 36 CAASTLC PROGRAMS program is designed to reduce the impact of high energy costs and implements energy-efficient measures that may include reducing air infiltration, installing insulation, heating system repair or replacement, and air quality assessment. The average family saves over $420 a year after their home has been weatherized. Housing Assistance Home Ownership: CAASTLC’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program provides down payment assistance towards the purchase of a home through a matched savings program for participants who successfully attend class sessions and save money. Participants work toward improving their credit status, by completing “financial fitness” curriculum, home buyer education classes, and individual meetings with our HUD certified housing counselor. Down Payment Assistance for First-time Home Buyers: Financial assistance is available to those who qualify and purchase a home. Participants must complete home buyer education, attend one-on-one counseling, and meet financial eligibility requirements. Housing counseling: CAASTLC is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency, assisting potential homeowners who want to learn saving methods, budgeting, credit repair, and mortgage loan qualifications. CAASTLC helps individuals learn about the pitfalls of sub-prime lending and works with lenders who offer products to assist economically insecure families meet their goals. Housing Repair Program CAASTLC works with a variety of grant sources to provide funds for specific home repairs for St. Louis County homeowners. Homes are then referred to Weatherization for additional services. Rent/Mortgage Assistance: CAASTLC provides Rent and Mortgage Assistance to families financially unable to obtain housing or in threat of eviction or foreclosures. In addition to financial assistance, the rent and mortgage program also advocates for renegotiation of unfair lease agreements and against inappropriate living conditions. Housing Development CAASTLC ’s Housing Development Program assists the nine municipalities that comprise the Ritenour School District in improving quality of life by creating safe and affordable housing. Individual Development Accounts The Individual Development Account Savings program (IDA) is an asset development program for income eligible individuals who reside in St. Louis County and desire to purchase a home, start a business, buy a car or complete education goals. Participants must complete a financial literacy program and asset specific workshops. Energy Services Programs CAASTLC has several Energy Services programs such as: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Dollar Help, Dollar More, and Heat Up St. Louis (HUSTL). These programs are designed to alleviate the immediate threat of utility service disconnection and assist with restoration of lost utility services. Other energy programs include energy conservation classes, weatherization of homes, and furnace and air conditioner repair. H20 Help Program CAASTLC, in partnership with Missouri American Water, provides supplemental funding to Missouri American Water customers who are facing disconnection of their water service. 37 CAASTLC PROGRAMS PARTNER AGENCIES 40 AAIM Employers Association Affordable Comfort African Diaspora Council ALDI Alpha Kappa Alpha Ameren Missouri American Red Cross AmeriCorps ANC Heating & Cooling ARCHS Association of African American Human Resource Managers Bank On Save Up St. Louis Bellefontaine Cemetery Bethany Peace United Church of Christ Better Family Life Beyond Housing/24:1 Brain Injury Association of Missouri Carrolton Bank Christian Northeast Hospital City of Bellefontaine Neighbors City of Bel-Ridge City of Ferguson City of Florissant City of Kirkwood City of Overland Community Catalyst Cross Keys Deaconess Foundation Department of Economic Development Department of Energy Diversity Awareness Partnerships Eagle Bank Earthdance Farms Energy Petroleum Epworth Excell Center Fair Food Network Family Forward Family Support Division – State of Missouri Federal Emergency Shelter Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Ferguson Youth Initiative FOCUS St. Louis Forest Park Continuing Education Gateway Greening God's Small World Good Food Jobs Grant (FESG) Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists Green Teen Alliance Hancock School District Heat Up St. Louis Helping Hands Food Pantry Heritage Propane Home Depot Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Human Resource Management Association I-Heart Media Institute for Family Medicine Jennings School District Jewish Family and Children's Services Kohl’s Department Store Larimore Elementary Latinos en Axion Lemay Chamber of Commerce Lincoln University Cooperation Extension Lively Stone Church of God Matthew-Dickeys Boys & Girls Club McCluer High School McMahon Berger Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA) Missouri American Water Missouri CAN Missouri Children's Leadership Council Missouri Foundation for Health Missouri Housing Development Commission PARTNER AGENCIES 41 Missouri Probation and Parole Montgomery Bank National Association of Black Journalists National Community Reinvestment Commission (NCRC) National Organization for Women (NOW) Normandy Early Child Center North County Community Development Corporation North County, Inc. Northwest Chamber of Commerce Ogletree Deakins Operation Food Search Overland Business Association (OBA) Paraquad Parkway United Church of Christ Peoples Community Action Corporation (PCAC) Pioneer Precision Analysis Private Bank Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Public Service Commission (PSC) Ready Aim Advocate (RAA) Ritenour School District Riverview Gardens School District Royal Bank Saint Vincent DePaul Sathya Sai International Organization Sisters Helping Each Other Reach a Higher Height (SHERAH) Society for Human Resource Management Spanish Cove Townhouses Spanish Lake Collaborative Spanish Lake Community Association Spanish Lake Community Development Corporation (CDC) SPIRE (Laclede Gas) SSM Health St. Louis Area Food Bank St. Louis Business Leaders Network St. Louis City Justice Centers St. Louis Community Credit Union St. Louis County Department of Human Services St. Louis County Government St. Louis County Health Department St. Louis County Justice Centers St. Louis County Lead Program St. Louis County Libraries St. Louis County Older Adults Program St. Louis County Police Department St. Louis County Problem Properties Department St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) St. Louis Mobile Metro Market St. Louis Public Schools St. Louis Special School District St. Louis University School of Social Work St. Peter's Lutheran Church Starkloff-Disability Institute The Libertine The Nine Network The Salvation Army UMSL School of Social Work United Way United Way – Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) United Way Asset Development Unity Lutheran Of Bel-Nor University City School District University of Missouri - St. Louis PARTNER AGENCIES 42 University of Missouri Extension Urban League US Bank US Department for Veterans Employment/Training US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance US Food Bank USA Mortgage Volunteer Attorneys Walgreens Wal-Mart Washington University Washington University Brown School of Social Work Wells Fargo YMCA of Greater St. Louis Youth and Family Council of Spanish Lake Youth on the Rise YWCA Head Start Top 5 Basic Needs - African Americans 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Food Rent/mortgage Dental insurance Finding a job assistance Top 5 Basic Needs - Caucasian/Whites 90% 80% 77.53% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Food Paying for home Dental insurance assistance Needs Identified by Racial Groups 40.95% 21.20% 21.09% 53.93% 23.60% 21.35% 21.35% 45 SURVEY RESULTS Note: Other Races refers to Asian American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Multi-racial, and other races. Needs Identified by Age Group 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Top 9 Basic Needs: 17 Years or Younger 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% Note: Nine needs were included for this demographic because the bottom six were tied at 25%. 46 SURVEY RESULTS Top 5 Basic Needs - Other Races 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Finding a job Paying for home 47 SURVEY RESULTS Top 5 Basic Needs: 18-29 Years 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Food Finding a job assistance Paying for childcare Top 5 Basic Needs: 30-44 Years 100% 90% 80% 70% 50% 40% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Food assistance Finding a job Dental insurance Top 5 Basic Needs: Annual Income $15,000 - $24,9999 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Food Dental insurance Paying for home repairs 54.12% 45.88% 19.59% 18.56% 50 SURVEY RESULTS Top 5 Basic Needs: Annual Income $25,000 - $34,999 80% 70% 60% 50% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills Rent/mortgage Paying for home Food repairs Home weatherization Top 6 Basic Needs: Annual income More than $50,000 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% ing utility Paying for home Rent/mortgage Mental health Food Dental bills repairs assistance support insurance Note: Six needs were included for this demographic because the bottom four were tied at 33.33%. 51 SURVEY RESULTS Top 5 Basic Needs: Annual Income $35,000 - $49,999 94.74% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Paying utility bills assistance Food Transportation costs Finding a job AGENCY/PARTNER SURVEY 52 SURVEY RESULTS CAASTLC Services Which Received Referrals from Agency Partners Step Up to Leadership 14.81% Substance abuse or anger management workshops 14.81% Parenting skills or family relations workshops 14.81% Seeds of Hope Farm 18.52% Poverty Simulation 18.52% Prisoner re-entry/employment connections 18.52% Veterans Stand-Down and Stand-Up Case management 22.22% Community Gardens 25.93% Youth and teen services/programs 25.93% Not applicable/ I have not referred anyone to… 29.63% Information and referral advice 29.63% Seasonal help (Christmas) Home repair or Rent/Mortgage assistance 33.33% Energy conservation classes 33.33% Weatherization assistance for home or apartment 37.04% Financial literacy/Budgeting and loan matching 37.04% Food pantry 40.74% Health insurance enrollment 44.44% Home, Health and Energy Fairs 48.15% Employment assistance 48.15% Assistance with utility or water bills 48.15% Job Fairs 51.85% 60.00% Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) 1 Cumulative Total 10 EDUCATION School collaboration/programs 1 On-site services at schools 2 Improving schools 1 Student engagement led by school superintendents 1 Poverty simulation 1 Resource education 1 College preparation 1 Cumulative Total 8 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Direct contact 3 Building community/organization trust 1 Senior Center 1 Cumulative Total 5 ADVOCACY Public Transit-Increased Bus Routes 1 Healthcare/Medicaid preservation 1 Job/hiring discrimination and ageism in hiring 1 Raising awareness about racial discrimination 1 Cumulative Total 4 HEALTH/HEALTHCARE Mental health services 2 Elderly/caregiver relief services 2 Cumulative Total 4 HOUSING/HOMELESS Long-term shelters 1 Homeless services 1 Rental assistance 1 Cumulative Total 3 CRIME/SAFETY UCAN-Violence awareness led by county police chief 1 Reentry Programs 1 Mental health training for police officers 1 Cumulative Total 3 COLLABORATION Community Alliances 2 Volunteering 1 Cumulative Total 3 FOOD ASSISTANCE Food pantries 1 Backpack food programs 1 Cumulative Total 2 Table 2 illustrates focus group responses to the question, “Of the things being done to address poverty in St. Louis County, what do you think is helping the most?” Column 1 provides categories of services mentioned. Column 2 provides specific services that fall under each category. Column 3 tallies the number of responses for each category, broken down by specific services. 55 FOCUS GROUP RESULTS Table 3 Q3. If you had the resources and all the political barriers were removed, what one thing would you do to address poverty? Solution Number of Responses Service Expansion 30 Education 11 Safe & Affordable Housing 9 Community/Civic Engagement 9 Healthcare 9 Policy Changes 7 Increased Funding 4 Wage Increase 4 Criminal Justice Reform 4 Address Racism/Discrimination 4 Transportation 2 Collaboration 2 Total 86 Table 3 illustrates focus group responses to the question, “If you had the resources and all the political barriers were removed, what one thing would you do to address poverty?” Column 1 provides categories of solutions. Column 2 tallies the number of responses for each category. The total number of responses is located in the bottom row. 56 FOCUS GROUP RESULTS Limitations A few limitations influenced the completion and results of this needs assessment. First, the length of the Community and Partner Agency surveys and the inclusion of several open-ended questions resulted in a significant amount of missing data, as survey respondents frequently skipped questions. In particular, many of the Partner Agency surveys were only 50 percent completed. These characteristics complicated data analysis. Another limitation was occasional inconsistences between online and in-person surveys as well their administration. Surveys administered in-person sometimes included different wording and/or answer options from those administered online. In-person surveys were manually entered into Survey Monkey despite these differences, which likely affected the accuracy of some entered responses. Lastly, in- person surveys were not always administered in a consistent manner. Some were printed front-to-back while others were printed one-sided. This also contributed to missing data, as respondents were not always aware of additional pages of questions. In addition, due to the use of a convenient sample, some demographic groups were under or overrepresented in the pool of respondents. For example, African Americans make up just 23.9 percent of the population of St. Louis County, but comprised 88.02 percent of Community Survey respondents. Those in the 17 Years or Younger and 65 Years and Older age categories were underrepresented, as were males. Finally, just 1.97 percent of respondents were Hispanic or Latino, though they are 2.8 percent of county residents. The Wordle above represents the primary concerns of respondents and the services that CAASTLC provides to address them 57 LIMITATIONS OF ASSESSMENT American Community Survey. (2016). ACS 2015 (5-Year Estimates). Social Explorer. Retrieved from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2015_5yr/R11456431 American Community Survey. (2017). ACS 2016 (1-Year Estimates). Social Explorer. https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2016/R11472657 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. (2016, Apr. 20). Report: “Energy Burden” on low- income, African American, & Latino households up to three times as high as other homes, more energy efficiency needed. Retrieved from http://aceee.org/press/2016/04/report-energy- burden-low-income Byers, C. (2017, Jan. 11). St. Louis city and county police report drops in total crime for 2016. Retrieved from http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-city-and-county-police- report-drops-intotal/article_2310f619-a31d-5696-8992-361f195484f4.html Cafer, A., Chapman, D., Freeman, K., & Rikoon, S. (2016). Missouri Hunger Atlas 2016. Retrieved from http://foodsecurity.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160708_New-Missouri- Hunger-Atlas-2016-text-final_3_full-doc-w-county-profiles.pdf Cambria, N. (2016, Feb. 21). The science of stress: How trauma etches itself on brain, chromosomes. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved from http://graphics.stltoday.com/apps/stress/science.html Disability Planning Data. (2017). Disability Housing Statistics for St. Louis County, Missouri. Retrieved from http://www.disabilityplanningdata.com/site/county_household_table.php?cntyname =St.+Louis&state=missouri&submit=submit Drehobl, A., & Ross, L. (2016, Apr.). Lifting the high energy burden in America’s largest cities: How energy efficiency can improve low income and underserved communities. American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy). Erickson, K. (2017, Jul. 1). Suing for workplace, housing discrimination in Missouri gets tougher under new law. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved from http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt- 60 REFERENCES and-politics/suing-for-workplace-housing-discrimination-in-missouri-gets-tougher- under/article_04fbc726-43de-51fe-9d0b-72d374348726.html Department of Housing and Urban Development – Economic and Market Analysis Division. (2015). Special tabulations of households by income, tenure, age of householder, and conditions. Retrieved from https://www.huduser.gov/ast/index.html Kiernan, J.S. (2017, Sept. 15). 2017’s state uninsured rates. WalletHub. Retrieved from https://wallethub .com/edu/uninsured-rates-by-state/4800/ Koppelman, J. & Peters, A. (2016, Jan. 28). 5 issues in dental health care to watch in 2016. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/analysis/ 2016/01/28/issues-in-dental-health-care-to-watch-in-2016 Laya, P. (2017, May 10). Black American workers are quickly coming back from the sidelines. Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-10/black-american- workers-are-quickly-coming-back-from-the-sidelines Miller, M. (2016, Sept. 8). Age discrimination and lost income are hurting older workers. Money. Retrieved from http://time.com/money/4483741/age-discrimination-older-workers- retirement/ Missouri Community Action Network. (2015). Missouri poverty facts. Retrieved from http://www.communityaction.org/missouri-poverty-facts/ Missouri Community Action Network. (2017). Living near the line: Meet a typical Missouri family. Retrieved from http://www.communityaction.org/wpcontent/uploads/2016/10 /DAYINTHELIFE.pdf Nasseh, K., Eisenberg, Y., & Vujicic, M. (2017). Geographic access to dental care varies in Missouri and Wisconsin. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 77(3), 197-206. doi:10.1111/jphd.12197 National Association of Dental Plans. (2016). Who has dental benefits today? Retrieved from http://www.nadp.org/Dental_Benefits_Basics/Dental_BB_1.aspx#_ftn1 61 REFERENCES National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2017). Out of reach 2017: The high cost of housing. Retrieved from http://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2017.pdf Ortiz, E. (2017, Aug. 2). Missouri law that prompted NAACP’s travel advisory sponsored by legislator who faces suit. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/missouri- law-prompted-naacp-s-travel-advisory-sponsored-lawmaker-who-n788941 Paraquad. (2017). Policy brief: Missouri Human Rights Act: Employment discrimination SB 43. Retrieved from http://3mc3pu3a8r0y2tbwjl479nd0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015 /01/2017_01_31_paraquad_policy_brief_employment_discrimination.pdf Reese, F. (2017, May 4). Moving past the recession: Black millennials face steep challenges in job market. Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved from http://atlantablackstar.com/2017/05/24 /moving-past-recession-black-millennials-face-steep-challenges-job-market/ Robert Half. (2017). Special report: The demand for skilled talent. Retrieved from https://www .roberthalf.com/sites/default/files/documents/rh_demand_skilled_talent_vol13_us.pdf Shattell, M. & Brown, P.J. (2017). Racism, white privilege, and diversity in mental health. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 55(7). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /28671234 St. Louis County. (2011). Meeting the Challenges of Concentrated Poverty in St. Louis County, Missouri. Retrieved from https://www.stlouisco.com/Portals/8/docs/document%20library /planning/strategicplan2013/Poverty%20Final.pdf St. Louis Regional Youth Violence Prevention Task Force. (2013, June). Community Plan. Retrieved from https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/documents/upload /YVP_CommunityPlan_FINALpages.pdf The ACA and the self-employed. (2016, Oct. 25). Obamacare.net. Retrieved from https://obamacare .net/the-aca-and-the-self-employed/ 62 REFERENCES Staff Survey 1. What would you say are the 3 to 4 most important unmet needs of low-income individuals and families in St. Louis County? 2. In your experience, which CAASTLC services/programs run out of funding too often? Why? 3. What additional services do you think CAASTLC should offer? 4. What changes would you make to current CAASTLC programs/services to better meet the needs of our clients? 5. Do organizations in St. Louis County collaborate with one another to meet the needs of low-income individuals and families? ALWAYS SOMETIMES RARELY NEVER 6. Which organization(s) in St. Louis County should CAASTLC collaborate with to better serve our clients? 7. How well do you think CAASTLC addresses diversity barriers through our programs? Please give examples. 65 APPENDIX A: STAFF SURVEY 8. How well do you think CAASTLC addresses diversity through employment/training opportunities for staff? Please give examples. 9. How well does CAASTLC address diversity through board/advisory council representation? Please give examples. 10. Have you received adequate training to perform your job duties well? YES NO 11. Are you provided with adequate professional development opportunities? YES NO 12. How has the number of requests for CAASTLC services changed over the past year? SERVICE INCREASE SAME DECREASE DON’T KNOW Health Insurance enrollment Assistance with utility or water bills Employment assistance Energy conservation classes Financial literacy Loan matching Food pantry Youth and teen services/programs Case management Home repair Rent/Mortgage assistance Referral services Parenting skills Family relations workshops Prisoner re-entry services Substance abuse classes Anger management classes Weatherization Seasonal help (Christmas) Back to School Fairs 66 13. How has attendance at CAASTLC events changed over the past year? SERVICE INCREASE SAME DECREASE DON’T KNOW Home, Health and Energy Fairs Job Fairs Step Up to Leadership Poverty Simulation Community Gardens Seeds of Hope Farm Veterans Stand-Down and Stand-Up 14. Please list any requests you receive for services that CAASTLC does not provide. Indicate how the frequency for the request has changed over the past year. REQUEST INCREASE SAME DECREASE DON’T KNOW 67 Needs Assessment Board Survey 1. What would you say are the 3 to 4 most important unmet needs of low-income individuals and families in St. Louis County? 2. Do you feel from your experience that there are adequate resources/funding available for low- income families needs? Please explain 3. What additional services do you think CAASTLC should offer? Why? 4. What changes would you recommend for current CAASTLC programs/services to better meet the needs of our clients? 5. Do organizations in St. Louis County collaborate with one another to meet the needs of low- income individuals and families? ALWAYS SOMETIMES RARELY NEVER Please explain 6. Which organization(s) serving St. Louis County should CAASTLC collaborate with to better serve our low-income clients? Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses. 70 APPENDIX C: BOARD SURVEY Community Needs Assessment Survey 2017 The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) needs your voice as a foundation for the next 3 years of our programming. The needs assessment results will help the CAASTLC Board create a strategic plan to initiate and support these programs and services. We do NOT ask for your name in this survey. Your information will be kept anonymous. Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to provide your views and recommendations! (If you have completed this survey before, please don’t fill it out again.) 71 APPENDIX D: COMMUNITY SURVEY LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD 1. Are you a resident of St. Louis County? YES NO If you are NOT a resident of St. Louis County, please STOP and return the survey. Please think about your basic needs when answering questions 2 to 4. 2. Below are items that people need assistance with from time to time. Please circle all of the items that you and your family have needed help with recently. Enrollment in health insurance Paying utility bills Paying Rent or Mortgage Addiction recovery Mental health support Transportation costs Referral to a service Medical help Paying for medicine Finding childcare Paying for childcare Food Senior services Paying for home repairs Finding a job Help with a personal problem Personal items, clothing, etc. Emergency shelter Disability services Legal services Short term loan Financial management Prisoner re-entry Veteran’s assistance Dental insurance Home weatherization Burial costs Home-owner taxes Life skills Access to technology Other: 3. Are you able to meet your basic needs every month? ⃝ Yes, on my own ⃝ Yes, with help from a service organization ⃝ Sometimes ⃝ Not very often 4. Do you know where to get assistance when you need it? ⃝ Yes ⃝ No 72 28. Which of these describe you best? ⃝ I am currently using CAASTLC services ⃝ I have previously used CAASTLC services ⃝ I have not used CAASTLC services, but I know people who have ⃝ None of these describe me 29. Please check all of the CAASTLC services and activities that you or your family used or participated in during the past 12 months. Health insurance enrollment Assistance for utilities or water bills Employment assistance Energy conservation classes Financial literacy/Budgeting and loan matching Food pantry Youth and teen services/programs Case management Home repair or Rent/Mortgage assistance Information and referral advice Parenting skills or family relations workshops Prisoner re- entry/employment connections Seasonal help (Christmas) Substance abuse or anger management workshops Weatherization assistance for home or apartment Home, Health, and Energy Fairs Job fairs Step Up to Leadership Poverty Simulation Community Gardens Seeds of Hope Farm Veterans Stand-Down/ Stand-Up Not applicable/I have not used CAASTLC’s services or attended activities Other: 75 Please answer the following demographic questions to ensure we are hearing from a broad sample of St. Louis County residents. 30. What zip code do you live in? 31. Please circle the response under each heading that describes you the best. AGE GROUP RACE ETHNICITY GENDER 17 or younger African American/Black Hispanic Male 18 – 29 Asian Non-Hispanic Female 30 – 44 American Indian/Alaska Native Other 45 – 64 Caucasian/White 65 or over Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Multi-racial 32. Please mark your annual family income. (Check one) ⃝ less than $10,000 ⃝ $15,000 to $24,999 ⃝ $35,000 to $49,999 ⃝ $10,000 to $14,999 ⃝ $25,000 to $34,999 ⃝ More than $50,000 33. Tell us about your household/living arrangements. (Check one) ⃝ One person ⃝ Single adult female with children ⃝ Two adults with no children ⃝ Single adult male with children ⃝ Two adults with children ⃝ Other: 34. How many dependents (0-17 years) live in your home? 35. Circle the highest level of education you have completed. Grade school Some high school High school diploma GED/HSE Certification program Some college 2-year degree 4-year degree Over 4-year degree Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to our survey. 76 P ay in g u ti lit y b ill s R en t/ m o rt ga ge a ss is ta n ce D en ta l i n su ra n ce Fi n d in g a jo b P ay in g fo r h o m e re p ai rs Tr an sp o rt at io n co st s H o m e w ea th er iz at io n En ro llm en t in h ea lt h in su ra n ce P er so n al it em s, c lo th in g, e tc . Sh o rt t er m lo an P ay in g fo r m ed ic in e D is ab ili ty s er vi ce s M ed ic al h el p Le ga l s er vi ce s P ay in g fo r ch ild ca re Fi n an ci al m an ag em en t M en ta l h ea lt h s u p p o rt R ef er ra l t o a s er vi ce Se n io r se rv ic es H el p w it h a p er so n al p ro b le m B u ri al c o st s Fi n d in g ch ild ca re Li fe s ki lls H o m e- o w n er s ta xe s Em er ge n cy s h el te r A d d ic ti o n r ec o ve ry A cc es s to t ec h n o lo gy P ri so n er r e- en tr y V et er an 's a ss is ta n ce O th er (P le as e Sp ec if y) APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q1. Are you a resident of St. Louis County? 1.41% Yes No 98.59% Q2. Please select all of the items that you and your family needed help with recently. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 77 80 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q7. Have you ever applied for a payday or quick loan? Yes , 43.43% No, 56.57% Q8. Have you ever applied for a bank loan? Yes, 26.98% No, 73.02% 81 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q9. Did you receive a bank loan? Sometimes, 12.73% Yes, 33.94% No, 53.33% Q10. Check the financial literacy services that you would like. (Check all that apply). None Avoiding Predatory Lending Saving in General Saving for Retirement Credit Counseling Budgeting Banking Services Education 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 82 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q11. Do you regularly use email? No, 37.41% Yes, 62.59% Q12. Do you text regularly? No, 25.86% Yes, 74.14% 85 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q17. Are there accessible stores that sell fresh fruits and vegetables in your community? Don't Know, 7.16% No, 9.96% Yes, 82.88% Q18. Are there enough opportunities for children and youth in your community? Don't Know, 20.97% Yes, 36.50% No, 42.53% 86 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q19. Is quality education available for children of all ages in your community? Don't Know, 16.93% No, 25.19% Yes, 57.88% Q20. Is affordable and adequate childcare available in your community? Don't Know, 31.89% Yes, 38.98% No, 29.13% 87 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q21. Are recreational opportunities available in your community? Don't Know, 26.94% Yes, 43.29% No, 28.77% Q22. Are support groups available in your community to meet your emotional needs? Yes, 31.35% Don't Know, 39.56% No, 29.09% 90 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q27. Please share what you like least about living in St. Louis County? Disaster Relief Language Barrier Lack of services Food Insecurity Drug Abuse Lack of resource knowledge Education Opportunities for youth Finances/Wages/Income Discrimination (Rage, Age, Gender, Other) Safe and Affordable Housing Crime/Gun Violence/Safety 1 1 1 2 5 6 6 6 6 7 10 16 17 29 31 38 44 45 50 157 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Number of Responses 91 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q28. How familiar are you with CAASTLC's services for low-income households and communities? 22.10% 28.67% Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not at all familiar 49.23% Q29. Which of these describe you best? 10.57% I am currently using CAASTLC services 13.14% I have previously used CAASTLC services I have not used CAASTLC services, but I know people who have None of these describe me 31.01% 92 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q30. Please check all of the CAASTLC services and activities that you or your family used or participated in during the past 12 months. Veteran's assistance 0.42% 1.05% Prisoner re-entry/employment connections 1.05% 1.16% Seeds of Hope Farm 1.26% 1.47% Community Gardens 1.68% 1.68% Information and referral advice 1.79% 1.79% Case management 1.89% 2.00% Energy conservation classes 2.94% 3.78% Not applicable/I have not used CAASTLC's services or… 5.88% Employment assistance 6.30% 7.77% Weatherization assistance for home or apartment 8.72% 8.93% Home repair or Rent/Mortgage assistance 9.56% Assistance with utilities or water bills 70% 78.57% Q31. What zip code do you live in? Zip Code Frequency Percent % 63136 186 15.5 63121 128 10.7 63114 116 9.7 63137 96 8 63135 85 7.1 63130 80 6.7 63134 78 6.5 63138 75 6.3 63031 62 5.2 63033 54 4.5 63133 46 3.8 63074 40 3.3 63042 25 2.1 63132 22 1.8 63034 13 1.1 63043 13 1.1 63120 11 0.9 63044 9 0.8 63143 7 0.6 63125 6 0.5 63146 6 0.5 63021 4 0.3 63117 4 0.3 63119 4 0.3 63123 3 0.3 63088 2 0.2 63112 2 0.2 63122 2 0.2 63129 2 0.2 63011 1 0.1 95 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Q33. Please check your annual income. 2% 1% 5% Less Than $10,000 17% $10,000-$14,999 $15,000-$24,999 $25,000-$34,999 56% $35,000-$49,999 19% More Than $50,000 Q34. Tell us about your household/living arrangements. 3% 8% 13% One Person 2 Adults with No Children 2 Adults With Children Single Adult Female with Children Single Adult Male with Children 35 Q36. Select the highest level of education you have completed 29.55 30 25 23.68 20 15 14.11 10 8.23 5.21 5 2.35 3.61 0 Q35. How many dependents (0-17 years) live in your home? Response Percent % 0 30.2 1 21.9 2 20.3 3 12.1 4 8.9 5 3.3 6 2.1 7 .6 8 .4 9 .1 12 .1 17 .1 Total 100.0 96 APPENDIX E: ALL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS P er ce n ta ge Vedat NLDA FOC Oa arn) CAASTLC ‘Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. Focus Group Questions Organization: i. What are the root causes of poverty in St. Louis County? 2. Of the things being done to address poverty in St. Louis County, what do you think is helping the most? 3 If you had the resources and all political barriers were removed, what one thing would you do to address poverty? 97