2010 MCHENRY COUNTY KEY INFORMANTS
2010 McHenry County Healthy Community Study
Health Systems ResearchUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford
April 13, 2011
Methodology
• The Healthy Community Steering Committee selected 38 key informants who are considered local experts in education, government, human services, or business
• The questions were comparable to those asked in 2006
Methodology
• A training in interviewing and reporting techniques for LGMC interviewers by HSR staff took place prior to the beginning of the study
• In-person interviews were conducted in December 2010 & January 2011 by pairs of LGMC interviewers
• 34 out of 38 key informants (89.5%) completed the interview
Best Aspects2010 vs. 2006
Similar themes between years:o Rural-suburban livingo Family-friendlyo Abundant social services
Fewer mentions in 2010:o Cultural diversityo Approachability of local politicianso Fast-paced growth of county
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
o Latinos (14)o Seniors (9)o Low-income/working poor (8)o Mentally ill/substance abusers (8)o Developmentally disabled adults (6)o Homeless (6)o Unemployed/underemployed (5)
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
o Latinos: Respect, good paying jobs, bilingual agency staff, English instruction, food, affordable - housing, education, medical care, transportation
o Seniors: More capacity in service system, transportation, activities for active seniors, affordable housing, assisted living, nursing homes
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
o Low income/working poor: Compassion, good paying jobs, emergency services, education, affordable – housing, healthcare, dental care, daycare, transportation
o Mentally ill/substance abusers: Crisis care, crisis respite, outpatient services, transportation, youth day programs, positive role models for youth, inpatient services – detox, substance abuse, adolescent
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
o DD Adults: Housing (group homes, supportive apartments), jobs, transportation, affordable services, caregiver emotional support
o Homeless: Affordable housing, transportation, job training, mental health services, emergency assistance, acceptance of affordable housing in neighborhoods
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
o Unemployed/underemployed: Good paying jobs, affordable health and dental care, affordable daycare, transportation, job retraining
Groups Needing Increased Community Attention
2010 vs. 2006
More mentions in 2010:o Unemployed/underemployed
New to top groups in 2010:o Developmentally disabled adults
Fewer mentions in 2010:o Children & youtho Single parentso Victims of domestic violence
Health & Human Service Delivery System
Strengths:o Spirit of collaboration, cooperationo Employees – dedicated, knowledgeableo Variety of serviceso Good reputations in communityo Minimal competitiono Collaborate to avoid duplication
Health & Human Service Delivery System
Weaknesses, Gaps, Barriers:o Lack of public awareness of services,
resourceso Absence of centralized databaseo Declines in all sources of fundingo Scarcity of bilingual employeeso Limited public transportationo Residents unable to afford serviceso Stigma associated with using services
Health & Human Service Delivery System
Duplication:o Mental Health Board and United Way
encourage collaboration, not duplicationo FQHC expansion into McHenry mentioned
as duplication
Health & Human Service Delivery System
Improvements:o Integrate modern equipment and technology to
streamline operationso Use electronic media for training, CE,
coordination of careo Additional resource sharingo Centralized information system linking public
needs with available serviceso 211 Info/Referral line will address this?
Health & Human ServicesDelivery System2010 vs. 2006
o Discussions about the system were very similar between 2010 and 2006
Biggest Challenges Facing McHenry County
o Develop public transportation system (13)o Attract good paying jobs (11)o Improve access to affordable housing (9)o Encourage economic growth (7)o Protect the environment (6)
Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County
Growth & Development:o Growth has come to a halto Assure preservation of open spaces when
growth and development resumeo Monitor integrity of water supply
Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County
Transportation & Roads:o Need an affordable, reliable, expansive public
transportation systemo Better maintenance of area roads and
bridges, but lack of funding is a challenge
Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County
Education System:o More creative use of shrinking funding for
educationo Need 4-year college in the countyo More vocational training in schools
Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County
Job Development/Retention:o Need creative incentives to attract innovative
companies with good paying jobso Also need semi-skilled jobso More job training, internship programs,
mentoring
Biggest Challenges FacingMcHenry County
Environmental Issues:o Continue to balance growth and retain the
rural environmento Groundwater preservationo Protect farmland
Biggest Challenges Facing McHenry County
2010 vs. 2006
Different focus in 2010:o Transportation related to maintenance of
existing roads and bridges in 2010, rather than expanding roads to alleviate congestion and traffic jams in 2006
Fewer mentions in 2010:o Impact of growth on county’s resourceso Overcrowding in schoolso Rising property taxes
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