Community Assessment - searpdc.org€¦ · Web viewWatkins, James. T/TAS @Western Kentucky...

Community Assessment

Watkins, James

T/TAS @Western Kentucky University

1906 College Heights Blvd

ContentsIntroduction......................................................................................................................................2

County Specific Information...........................................................................................................3

Demographic Information...............................................................................................................4

Households and Families.............................................................................................................5

Nativity and Foreign Born...........................................................................................................9

Estimated Number of Children and Pregnant Women..................................................................10

Estimation of Need for Full Day-Full Year...............................................................................11

Disabilities.....................................................................................................................................12

Needs of the Community Served...................................................................................................14

Education...................................................................................................................................14

Employment...............................................................................................................................17

Health.........................................................................................................................................18

Social & Economic Factors.......................................................................................................19

Automobile Ownership..............................................................................................................20

Housing Costs............................................................................................................................20

Food Issues................................................................................................................................21

USDA Defined Food Deserts....................................................................................................22

Environmental Issues.................................................................................................................23

Needs Expressed by Enrolled Families.........................................................................................23

Program Options............................................................................................................................24

Community Resources:..................................................................................................................24

Needs and Goals............................................................................................................................24

Appendix: Child Care Data...........................................................................................................29

SEARP&DC Head Start Program 2015 Community Assessment 1

Introduction

The SEARP&DC Head Start Program is a child development program licensed by the State of

Alabama Department of Human Resources to provide services to 304 children ages three - to -

five years old enrolled at six Head Start Centers located in four rural Alabama counties. The

program also provides Early Head Start services to 32 children ages zero - to three years old. The

Head Start Program, operating with HHS federal funding and local in-kind support, has provided

continuous services to children in Southeast Alabama for over 39 years. The current locations

are:

Eufaula Head Start Center

Florala Head Start Center

Geneva Head Start Center

Headland Head Start Center

Opp Head Start Center

Andalusia Head Start Center


County Specific Information

Barbour County, Alabama is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,457.Its county seat is Clayton. Barbour County was established on December 18, 1832, from former Creek Indian homelands and a portion of Pike County. The fertile land was developed by southern migrants as large cotton plantations dependent on slave labor. Due to the number of slaves, the population was soon majority black, a proportion that continued for decades. In the 21st century, the population has a slight white majority, but blacks make up more than 46% of the residents, which results in highly competitive politics.

Covington County, Alabama (briefly Jones County), is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census the population was 37,765. Its county seat is Andalusia. Covington County was established on December 17, 1821. The Alabama state legislature changed the name to Jones County on August 6, 1868. Two months later on October 10, 1868, the original name was restored. The county was declared a disaster area in September 1979 due to damage from Hurricane Frederic and again in October 1995 due to Hurricane Opal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,044 square miles (2,700 km2), of which 1,030 square miles (2,700 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (1.3%) is water.

Geneva County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population was 26,790. Its county seat is Geneva. Geneva County is part of the Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Henry – Henry County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Upon formation, Henry County was the largest county within Alabama, composing all or portions of the present counties of Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Houston, and Pike. When the


youngest county of Houston was formed in 1903, Henry became the smallest. After 1814, the colonial settlers' developed Franklin as the first white settlement in the Creek territory. The former river port served Abbeville on the Chattahoochee River. Much of the original Henry County was part of the original Alabama wiregrass region.

Demographic Information

The table below provides age breakouts for the counties served.

SubjectBarbour County, Alabama

Covington County, Alabama

Geneva County, Alabama

Henry County, Alabama

Total Total Total Total Estimate Estimate Estimate EstimateTotal population 27,321 37,847 26,791 17,308AGE Under 5 years 5.8% 6.0% 5.8% 5.5% 5 to 9 years 6.3% 5.8% 5.7% 6.2% 10 to 14 years 5.8% 6.6% 6.8% 5.9% 15 to 19 years 5.8% 6.4% 6.1% 6.4% 20 to 24 years 6.7% 5.8% 5.5% 5.7% 25 to 29 years 7.5% 5.2% 5.3% 4.7% 30 to 34 years 6.4% 5.5% 6.1% 5.0% 35 to 39 years 8.1% 5.7% 5.8% 6.8% 40 to 44 years 5.3% 6.4% 6.7% 6.2% 45 to 49 years 7.2% 6.6% 7.3% 6.7% 50 to 54 years 7.0% 7.5% 7.3% 7.0% 55 to 59 years 7.1% 7.0% 7.5% 7.3% 60 to 64 years 5.9% 6.6% 6.4% 7.9% 65 to 69 years 5.2% 6.0% 5.0% 6.2% 70 to 74 years 3.6% 4.1% 5.1% 4.6% 75 to 79 years 2.7% 4.1% 3.3% 3.7% 80 to 84 years 1.9% 2.5% 2.6% 2.0% 85 years and over 1.7% 2.3% 1.9% 2.2% SELECTED AGE CATEGORIES 5 to 14 years 12.1% 12.3% 12.5% 12.2% 15 to 17 years 3.6% 4.0% 3.9% 4.3% 18 to 24 years 8.9% 8.2% 7.7% 7.8% 15 to 44 years 39.9% 35.0% 35.4% 34.8% 16 years and over 80.7% 80.8% 80.3% 80.7% 18 years and over 78.4% 77.7% 77.8% 78.1% 60 years and over 21.0% 25.6% 24.3% 26.5% 62 years and over 18.3% 23.0% 21.8% 23.6% 65 years and over 15.0% 19.0% 17.9% 18.6% 75 years and over 6.3% 8.9% 7.7% 7.8% SUMMARY INDICATORS


Median age (years) 38.3 42.4 41.9 42.7 Sex ratio (males per 100 females)

115.3 93.2 95.1 91.2

Age dependency ratio 57.7 70.4 66.9 68.2 Old-age dependency ratio 23.7 32.4 29.8 31.3 Child dependency ratio 34.0 38.0 37.1 36.9

The results indicate that there should be enough children and low income families to make Head

Start a viable option. The estimates of eligible and available children will be provided later in the

document.

Households and Families

Barbour County, Alabama

In 2010-2012 there were 9,300 households in Barbour County, Alabama. The average

household size was 2.6 people. Families made up 66 percent of the households in Barbour

County, Alabama. This figure includes both married-couple families (45 percent) and other

families (22 percent). Of other families, 10 percent are female householder families with no

husband present and own children under 18 years. Nonfamily households made up 34 percent of

all households in Barbour County, Alabama. Most of the nonfamily households were people

living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one was

related to the householder.


In Barbour County, Alabama, 32 percent of all households have one or more people under the

age of 18; 32 percent of all households have one or more people 65 years and over. Among

persons 15 and older, 43 percent of males and 43 percent of females are currently married.

Population 15 years and over Males FemalesNever married 37.3 25.8

Now married, except separated 43.0 42.6

Separated 2.3 3.3

Widowed 3.4 13.0

Divorced 14.0 15.3

In Barbour County, Alabama, 860 grandparents lived with their grandchildren under 18 years

old. Of those grandparents, 46 percent of them had financial responsibility for their

grandchildren.


In 2010-2012 there were 15,000 households in Covington County, Alabama. The average

household size was 2.5 people. Families made up 68 percent of the households in Covington



husband present and own children under 18 years. Nonfamily households made up 32 percent

of all households in Covington County, Alabama. Most of the nonfamily households were

people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one

was related to the householder. In Covington County, Alabama, 32 percent of all households

have one or more people under the age of 18; 33 percent of all households have one or more

people 65 years and over.


Among persons 15 and older, 50 percent of males and 48 percent of females are currently married.



Separated 2.7 2.5

Widowed 5.3 15.0

Divorced 15.7 15.6

In Covington County, Alabama, 1,100 grandparents lived with their grandchildren under 18

years old. Of those grandparents, 52 percent of them had financial responsibility for their

grandchildren.


In 2010-2012 there were 11,000 households in Geneva County, Alabama. The average

household size was 2.4 people. Families made up 72 percent of the households in Geneva



husband present and own children under 18 years. Nonfamily households made up 29 percent

of all households in Geneva County, Alabama. Most of the nonfamily households were people


related to the householder. In Geneva County, Alabama, 31 percent of all households have

one or more people under the age of 18; 31 percent of all households have one or more people


65 years and over.

Among persons 15 and older, 54 percent of males and 48 percent of females are currently married.



Separated 3.3 4.8

Widowed 3.6 11.1

Divorced 11.4 15.9

In Geneva County, Alabama, 870 grandparents lived with their grandchildren under 18 years

old. Of those grandparents, 49 percent of them had financial responsibility for their

grandchildren.


In 2010-2012 there were 6994 households in Henry County, Alabama. The average household

size was 2.5 people. Families made up 71 percent of the households in Henry County,

Alabama. This figure includes both married-couple families (52 percent) and other families

(29 percent). Of other families, 15 percent are female householder families with no husband

present and own children under 18 years. Nonfamily households made up 29 percent of all

households in Geneva County, Alabama. Most of the nonfamily households were people


related to the householder.

(Images Not Available)


The results indicate that the service area is populated primarily with families, but it is not

always 2 parent families there is a sizable section of the population where female headed

families is the norm and is likely to be encountered by the Head Start program.

Nativity and Foreign Born


Ninety-seven percent of the people living in Barbour County, Alabama in 2010-2012 were

native residents of the United States. Sixty-eight percent of these residents were living in the

state in which they were born. Three percent of the people living in Barbour County, Alabama

in 2010-2012 were foreign born. Of the foreign born population, 14 percent were naturalized

U.S. citizens.


Ninety-nine percent of the people living in Covington County, Alabama in 2010-2012 were

native residents of the United States. Seventy-four percent of these residents were living in the

state in which they were born. One percent of the people living in Covington County,

Alabama in 2010-2012 were foreign born. Of the foreign born population, 48 percent were

naturalized U.S. citizens, and 96 percent entered the country before the year 2010. Four

percent of the foreign born entered the country in 2010 or later.


Ninety-eight percent of the people living in Geneva County, Alabama in 2010-2012 were

native residents of the United States. Seventy-two percent of these residents were living in the

state in which they were born. Two percent of the people living in Geneva County, Alabama


in 2010-2012 were foreign born. Of the foreign born population, 19 percent were naturalized

U.S. citizens.


Ninety-nine percent of the people living in Henry County, Alabama in 2010-2012 were native

residents of the United States. Seventy-four percent of these residents were living in the state

in which they were born. Two percent of the people living in Geneva County, Alabama in

2010-2012 were foreign born. Of the foreign born population, 21 percent were naturalized

U.S. citizens.

The vast majority of the residents of these counties were born in these counties.

Estimated Number of Children and Pregnant Women

BarbourCovington Geneva Henry

Births* 406 467 440 371Poverty Rate all persons** 26.10% 20.90% 20% 16%Pregnant women population in poverty 106 98 88 59

Population under 5** 1579 2217 1528 941Child Poverty Rate** 41.80% 30.30% 30.70% 22.20%Population under 5 in poverty 660 671 470 209Children receiving CC subsidies** 79 54 43 49Low Income Children 0-5 unserved 581 617 427 160

Pregnant women and children unserved 687 715 515 219Estimated Eligible 3&4 y.o. 232 247 171 64* Source: U.S. Census American Factfinder** Alabama Kids Count Data

The table above shows that both preschool and Early Head Start options are viable. In order to

estimate the number needing full day and or full year services, we must look to education

enrollment and employment status as an indicator.


Estimation of Need for Full Day-Full YearEmployment Head Start Early Head Start

Two Parents-Both Employed

10% 20%

Two Parents-One Employed

66% 80%

Two Parents-Not Employment

23% 0

One Parent Employed 44% 62%

One Parent Not Employed

56% 38%

Source: Program Information Report

Looking at employment status, there is only a moderate percentage that would require full day or

full year services and these would most likely be one parent households where the parent is

employed.

Job Training/School Head Start Early Head Start

Two Parents-Both in school 0 0

Two Parents-One in school 4% 0

Two Parents-None in school 96% 100%

One Parent school 6% 7%

One Parent None in school 94% 93%


Given the figure for school, it is still the single parents in both Head Start and Early Head Start

that are most likely to have the need for full day full year services. Based on PIR data this would

be in the neighborhood of 20 slots in EHS and 100 slots in Head Start.

Disabilities


Disability by Age and Multiple

Identification Estimates





Total: 24,457 37,370 26,490 17,085 Under 18 years: 5,879 8,443 5,954 3,788 With one type of disability

242 470 511 88

With two or more types of disability

84 119 197 39

No disability 5,553 7,854 5,246 3,661 18 to 64 years: 14,689 22,009 15,890 10,197 With one type of disability

1,346 1,995 1,610 932


1,380 2,243 1,598 915

No disability 11,963 17,771 12,682 8,350 65 years and over: 3,889 6,918 4,646 3,100 With one type of disability

786 1,428 776 568


1,131 1,936 1,387 682

No disability 1,972 3,554 2,483 1,8502009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Barbour County, AlabamaIn Barbour County, Alabama, among the civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2010-

2012, 20 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age -

from 7 percent of people under 18 years old, to 19 percent of people 18 to 64 years old,

and to 45 percent of those 65 and over.


In Covington County, Alabama, among the civilian noninstitutionalized population in

2010-2012, 22 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by

age - from 8 percent of people under 18 years old, to 19 percent of people 18 to 64 years

old, and to 49 percent of those 65 and over.

Geneva County, AlabamaIn Geneva County, Alabama, among the civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2010-





Henry County, AlabamaIn Henry County, Alabama, among the civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2010-




Disability Characteristics Barbour Covington Geneva Henry

With a disability

Percent with a disability

With a disability


With a disability


With a disability

% with a disability

Total civilian noninstitutionalized population

4,969 20.30% 8,191 21.90% 6,079 22.90% 3,224 18.90%

Population under 5 years 2 0.10% 0 0.00% 6 0.40% 18 1.90%

With a hearing difficulty 2 0.10% 0 0.00% 4 0.30% 12 1.30%

With a vision difficulty 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 2 0.10% 6 0.60%

Population 5 to 17 years 324 7.60% 589 9.50% 702 16.00% 109 3.80%

With a hearing difficulty 11 0.30% 121 2.00% 95 2.20% 4 0.10%

With a vision difficulty 85 2.00% 120 1.90% 138 3.10% 0 0.00%

With a cognitive difficulty 222 5.20% 327 5.30% 512 11.60% 96 3.40%


With an ambulatory difficulty

36 0.80% 93 1.50% 58 1.30% 4 0.10%

With a self-care difficulty 65 1.50% 47 0.80% 48 1.10% 37 1.30%

Based upon the census data provided above there is an uneven distribution of disabilities

overall. Henry County has greatest number. The bulk of the disabilities are speech and

language according the PIR reports. This means that the program is likely to continue to

see this disability continue and for EHS the local physicians are still loath to diagnose

children with a disability at a very young age.

Needs of the Community ServedEducation

Educational Attainment

Barbour County Estimate

Covington County Estimate

Geneva County Estimate

Henry County Estimate

Total: 18,988 26,292 18,779 12,162

No schooling completed 446 422 359 163

Nursery school 0 43 8 0

Kindergarten 30 2 0 5

1st grade 0 12 0 7

2nd grade 68 24 8 19

3rd grade 121 79 99 60

4th grade 8 53 50 53

5th grade 51 221 39 65

6th grade 296 279 339 113

7th grade 299 487 348 155


8th grade 508 501 498 193

9th grade 724 1,137 765 298

10th grade 923 1,060 789 622

11th grade 1,061 964 618 432

12th grade, no diploma 467 405 366 230

Regular high school diploma 4,993 7,201 5,432 3,414

GED or alternative credential 1,252 1,806 1,741 855

Some college, less than 1 year 1,040 1,698 1,582 664

Some college, 1 or more years, no degree

2,779 3,961 2,460 1,751

Associate's degree 1,377 2,210 1,331 1,045

Bachelor's degree 1,546 2,433 1,417 1,181

Master's degree 773 978 479 697

Professional school degree 171 190 48 100

Doctorate degree 55 126 3 40


In 2010-2012, 34 percent of people 25 years and over had a high school diploma or equivalency

and 14 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty-five percent were dropouts; they were

not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. The total school enrollment in

Barbour County, Alabama was 6,100 in 2010-2012. Nursery school and kindergarten

enrollment was 940 and elementary or high school enrollment was 3,800 children. College or

graduate school enrollment was 1,300.

Covington County, AL

In 2010-2012, 34 percent of people 25 years and over had a high school diploma or

equivalency and 14 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty-three percent were


dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. The total

school enrollment in Covington County, Alabama was 8,500 in 2010-2012. Nursery school

and kindergarten enrollment was 1,100 and elementary or high school enrollment was 5,800

children. College or graduate school enrollment was 1,700.



and 11 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty-four percent were dropouts; they were


Geneva County, Alabama was 5,100 in 2010-2012. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment

was 570 and elementary or high school enrollment was 3,800 children. College or graduate

school enrollment was 740.



and 10 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty-four percent were dropouts; they were


Henry County, Alabama was 3,926 in 2010-2012. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment

was 197 and elementary or high school enrollment was 2,889 children. College or graduate

school enrollment was 840.

Education Head Start EHS

At least a baccalaureate degree

At least some college

High school graduate or GED

Less than high school

5% 0

14% 34%

42% 46%

31% 20%



When the information about educational levels is included, the families served by Head Start

and Early Head Start tend to be less education than the populations as a whole. The implication

for program staff is that families may need to be convinced of the value of early childhood

education.

Employment The employment situation in the four counties is dire. The annual unemployment rate for last

year was 8.4% in Barbour County, 6.9% in Covington County, 5.4% in Geneva County and

6.1% in Henry County. The overall rate in the state was 6.1%

Employment by type Barbour County, Alabama




Estimate Estimate Estimate EstimateTotal: 9,344 14,928 10,795 6,749 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining

303 998 653 217

Construction 547 1,190 1,058 575 Manufacturing 2,176 2,295 1,374 1,036 Wholesale trade 157 332 595 259 Retail trade 1,126 1,933 1,327 546 Transportation and warehousing, and utilities

576 1,027 718 475

Information 93 205 64 45 Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing

378 686 325 330

Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

492 868 663 352

Educational services, and health care and social assistance

1,876 2,906 2,100 1,720

Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

690 864 606 497

Other services, except public administration

304 810 560 423

Public administration 626 814 752 274 Management, business, science, and arts occupations:

2,456 3,650 2,532 2,189

US Census American Factfinder


The employment situation for most families in Head Start and EHS is part time employment with limited to no benefits and highly variable work schedules. The implication is that many families may need job readiness skills.

HealthAlabama Barbour Covington Geneva Henry

Health Outcomes 22 25 17 20

Length of Life 14 25 18 34

Premature death 9,508 8,901 9,667 9,086 10,462Quality of Life 42 34 19 5

Poor or fair health 21% 23% 25% 28% 18%Poor physical health days 4.3 4.8 4.2 4.3 4Poor mental health days 4.3 4.3 5.2 3.4 3.5Low birthweight 10.30% 11.90% 9.40% 9.10% 8.60%Countyhealthfacts.com

The general health table shows that for the overall population, the overall health outcomes are

generally good, premature death is lower than state average, poor physical health is better than

state average and mental health is on par with the state average. The implication for services

provided by Southeast Alabama, is that families will need a standard approach for health services

and assistance in keeping appointments.

Health Behaviors Alabama Barbour Covington

Geneva Henry

Adult smoking 22% 25% 29% 33% 17%Adult obesity 33% 38% 32% 35% 34%Food environment index 6.7 5 7.3 7.7 7.6Physical inactivity 29% 32% 38% 31% 30%Access to exercise opportunities 64% 44% 57% 32% 30%Excessive drinking 12% 14% 11% 13%Alcohol-impaired driving deaths 28% 43% 33% 25% 36%Sexually transmitted infections 635 717 503 453 567Teen births 47 73 69 54 47Countyhealthfacts.com


The Health Behaviors show that physical inactivity is worse in these four counties, and two of

the counties had higher rates of teen birth and alcohol related deaths.

Clinical Care Alabama Barbour Covington Geneva Henry

Uninsured 16% 18% 17% 19% 17%Primary care physicians 1,594:1 2,267:1 2,109:1 4,489:1 3,457:1Dentists 2,256:1 2,708:1 2,914:1 13,364:1 3,459:1Mental health providers 1,289:1 27,076:1 1,994:1 6,682:1 5,765:1Preventable hospital stays 72 87 115 88 53Diabetic monitoring 84% 86% 82% 87% 86%Mammography screening 62.70% 61.80% 64.60% 62.00% 53.30%Countyhealthfacts.com

The clinical care aspect shows that conditions in the four counties are generally worse than in the

state overall. There is lack of primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health providers. The

staff will need to work with families to make appointments and stress the need to keep

appointments once they have been made.

Social & Economic FactorsState Barbour Covington Geneva Henry

High school graduation 77% 70% 81% 83% 70%Some college 58.00% 42.30% 51.70% 48.00% 60.10%Unemployment 6.50% 10.00% 7.20% 6.50% 6.80%Children in poverty 27% 42% 29% 38% 29%Income inequality 5.2 5.5 4.6 4.8 5.5Children in single-parent households

38% 56% 39% 45% 31%

Social associations 12.5 8.5 12.4 8.9 17.4Violent crime rate 418 147 242 320 318Countyhealthfacts.com

The social and economic factors present mixed results, with more children in single parent

households in the four counties than in the state as an average, the good news is that the violent

crime rate is lower in the counties than in the state overall.


Automobile Ownership





Estimate Estimate Estimate EstimateTotal: 9,163 14,666 10,458 6,538 No vehicle available 302 292 178 110 1 vehicle available 1,866 3,041 1,857 1,094 2 vehicles available 3,092 5,968 4,523 2,214 3 or more vehicles available 3,903 5,365 3,900 3,120 Car, truck, or van - drove alone: 7,532 11,846 8,770 5,686 No vehicle available 105 74 69 77 1 vehicle available 1,535 2,302 1,371 943 2 vehicles available 2,580 4,877 3,826 1,968 3 or more vehicles available 3,312 4,593 3,504 2,698 Car, truck, or van - carpooled: 1,113 1,801 1,013 502 No vehicle available 172 31 78 26 1 vehicle available 201 563 323 130 2 vehicles available 363 700 343 134 3 or more vehicles available 377 507 269 212 Public transportation (excluding taxicab):

8 47 0 27

No vehicle available 0 0 0 0 1 vehicle available 0 3 0 0 2 vehicles available 0 9 0 6 3 or more vehicles available 8 35 0 21 Walked: 156 284 133 8 No vehicle available 17 114 10 0 1 vehicle available 77 60 54 0 2 vehicles available 43 79 56 0 3 or more vehicles available 19 31 13 8US Census American Factfinder

The implication of transportation facts are that personal transportation is a primary means of

movement but often the families served lack vehicles or money for transportation costs. This is

likely to impact parent’s ability to get around.

Housing Costs





Estimate Estimate Estimate EstimateTotal: 2,973 3,748 3,057 1,560 Less than 10.0 percent 88 117 55 119 10.0 to 14.9 percent 147 380 322 184 15.0 to 19.9 percent 303 338 304 188 20.0 to 24.9 percent 264 372 279 178 25.0 to 29.9 percent 313 309 378 71 30.0 to 34.9 percent 154 322 251 47


35.0 to 39.9 percent 149 190 160 168 40.0 to 49.9 percent 193 248 179 46 50.0 percent or more 693 749 537 212 Not computed 669 723 592 347US Census American Factfinder

Looking at the housing costs 40% of Barbour County, 40% of Covington County, 39% of

Geneva and 30% of Henry County spend thirty percent or more on housing which means that

these folks are housing poor. The implication is that families who pay more than 30 percent of

their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording

necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. A family with one full-time

worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom

apartment anywhere in the counties served. In terms of homeless being served by the combined

program (H.S. and E.H.S.) the services are often provided to the “hidden homeless” who are

staying with one set of family or friends for a period and then moving on to other family and

friends after a while.

Food Issues





PERCENT IMPUTED Food stamp/SNAP

2.9% 2.9% 4.3% 2.4%

Few families are signed up for SNAP. This may be an area where Family Services may be able to assist families.


USDA Defined Food Deserts Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns

without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead

of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have

no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and

convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options.

The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other

diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

There is a sizable area of Barbour County that is shaded which means the

area is a food desert. On the

other hand there is very little of Covington County that is considered a food dessert. The

situation in Geneva is not as fortunate.

There is a sizable portion of the county that is food dessert.

While Henry County has no food desserts.


Environmental IssuesPhysical Environment Alabam

aBarbour Covington Geneva Henry

Air pollution - particulate matter 12.8 12.6 12.7 12.5 12.5Drinking water violations 5% 53% 0% 0% 0%Severe housing problems 15% 19% 16% 14% 13%Driving alone to work 85% 82% 81% 84% 87%Long commute - driving alone 32% 33% 24% 43% 34%Countyhealthfacts.com

The environmental factors are generally similar to the state overall. The sole exception is the

drinking water violations in Barbour County.

Needs Expressed by Enrolled FamiliesHS EHS

Emergency intervention 31% 0

Housing assistance 28% 0

Mental health services 27% 0

ESL 0% 0

Adult education 1% 0

Job training 0% 0

Substance abuse prevention 27% 0

Substance abuse treatment 0% 0

Child abuse and neglect services 44% 34%

Domestic violence services 13% 0

Child support assistance 27% 6%

Health education 45% 50%

Assistance to families of incarcerated individuals

0% 0

Parenting education 76% 63%

Relationship /Marriage education 13% 13%


Source: PIR

What this means for the Head Start and Early Head Start program is that in home visits, family

service visits and educational contacts, staff need to be sharing information with families around

these topics. It would appear to be a natural synergy to have Head Start staff sharing information

about resources available in the area. This may mean that as part of Head Start training, all staff

may receive a briefing about all of the services of the agency and how to access these services.

Program OptionsSEARP&DC Head Start operates both Preschool and Early Head Start services. Center based

services are hours are set with an eye to the hours of the other child development programs in the

area and try to accommodate working adults in the first shift of operations.

Community Resources: Please refer to Community Resource Guide for further information

Needs and Goals

Need: Programs that address the low-income population

Despite the fact that the families in the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development

Commission, Inc. area are very self reliant, employed and have a strong sense of community;

structural poverty still exists because of the lack of options for employment in relatively high

paying jobs.


Goals

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. needs to continue to provide services to the low-income community.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. should explore the possibility of expanding services to reach more members of the low-income community.

Collaboration with other community organizations, both public and private, will ensure that the provision of services are comprehensive, non-duplicated and community based.

Need: Employment Skills

There continues to be growing levels of unemployment in the service area that exceeds the state

and national average. Families in the area are increasingly prone to need worksite resources. The

lack of stable or local employment is putting strain on many families. Industries that are

currently downsizing because of the down turn in the economy; and the increased commuting

time due to increased traffic in the area have all put pressure on families, many of whom are

relatively new to the workforce.

Goals

By creating expanded linkages with other community development organizations, Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. will be able to provide training, skills development, and information and opportunities to the target community.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. Head Start will actively explore opportunities to expand the educational opportunities it currently provides in the area. Head Start’s family literacy activities, Adult Basic Education, ESL and GED preparation classes will be evaluated to see if they need to be revised and/or expanded to serve more clients.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. will continue to advocate in the community for more relevant job training opportunities.

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. Head Start will maximize the use of existing job training programs and advocate for the new programs to be developed as part of the welfare reform movement.


Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. will continue to fulfill the mission of the economic development programs to hire from the community whenever possible and thereby provide employment opportunities impacting on the poverty in the community.

Need: Available, accessible health care services for the entire family

Despite the Alabama CHIP program and Medicaid coverage, there is a serious lack of doctors

and dentists who participate in the programs. Health services for adults are a particular problem

for Head Start families. Emergency care health service is limited.

Goals

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Head Start health services staff will make every effort to identify physicians and dentists who accept Medicaid and KCHIP in the SEARP&DC service area and make this information available to families.

SEARP&DC Head Start staff will use the Head Start Health Advisory Committee to advocate for physicians and dentists to accept KCHIP and Medicaid.

SEARP&DC will identify sources of health care that are low cost or no cost in the communities (free clinics, health fairs, etc) and publicize this information to the SEARP&DC families.

Need: Affordable high quality child care

Low cost child care and child care placements available in the low income communities

served by SEARP&DC are becoming more important as the working situation continues to

deteriorate.

Goals

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. Head Start will continue to offer Head Start services using both the center based and home-base models based upon the needs, desires and characteristics of families receiving the services.


Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. Head Start will continue to seek Head Start funds to expand child care delivery services, looking at the need for week long and year round services.

SEARP&DC will explore potential expansion opportunities of Early Head Start Services to the areas most in need of high quality infant and toddler care services.

Staff of Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. Head Start will continue to demonstrate commitment to and advocate for high quality childcare by participating in professional events and organizations.

Conclusions

The recent economic downturn has had tremendous local impact. Costs are rising and

employment is becoming more difficult for low skilled workers. As the already beleaguered

economy is facing deteriorating conditions, SEARP&DC is likely to be called upon more

frequently and by more families for assistance. These changes will require Southeast Alabama

Regional Planning and Development Commission, Inc. to continue its scan and review of its

systems for delivering services. Careful attention to program design, staff development, and

resource allocation based on the findings of this community assessment will ensure that the

programs and services of Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission,

Inc. Head Start thoughtfully and systematically address the needs of the area’s most vulnerable

residents.


Appendix: Child Care DataAlabama Department of Human Resources Number of Children by County

1, 2Child CareServices Division


Centers 3 Day Care Homes 4 Informal Care 5 County TotalsCounty

Total Children

Total Dollars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

03 BARBOUR

61 11,368.30

8 1,087.24 6 388.80 75 12,844.34

20 COVINGTON

33 9,251.50

13 3,442.40 0 0.00 46 12,693.90

AlabamaDepartment of Human ResourcesNumber of Children by County For Period: Mar 20151, 2Child CareServices Division

Centers 3 Day Care Homes 4 Informal Care 5 County TotalsCounty Total

ChildrenTotal Dollars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

Total Children

Total Dol lars

31 GENEVA

35 7,180.68

2 479.60 4 282.60 41 7,942.88

34 HENRY 22 5,091.60

2 401.30 2 155.40 26 5,648.30

WAITING LIST CHILD COUNTS BY CARE LEVELFOR THE MONTH OF MAR-2015

CARELEVEL/ COUNTY

INFANT/ TODDLER

PRE- SCHOOL SCHOOL- AGE 13 AND ABOVE

TOTAL

BARBOUR 6 7 5 0 18COVINGTON 27 15 13 0 55GENEVA 4 1 0 0 5HENRY 7 4 3 0 14


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