To comply with the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Act, the Community Action Commission (CAC) of Fayette County will need to complete a needs assessment.
The community needs assessment is a process used to determine unmet needs of low-income individuals, families and communities. Conducting the assessment is of great importance, as it informs both CSBG-eligible entities as to how to best direct funds toward meeting the needs of low-income persons in their service areas in accordance with the assurances in the CSBG Act.
“We believe that we can accomplish our mission only when our activities are directed by and inclusive of people with lower incomes and that live and serve in our community,” CAC planner, Christina Blair, said. “Our efforts will be in response to local needs, conducted with an awareness of national trends and policies, organized within strong community-wide partnerships, and respectful of and sensitive to the diversity and strengths of all community members.”
Those who wish to participate in the assessment should visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/cacna and take a few minutes to complete a survey. The survey, after asking for an age group, race and a particular identifier, will task those completing the survey with rating the needs of the community. Homelessness, home assistance, health care, drug addiction and other issues were all included on the list and can be placed on a scale between not important or the most important. All surveys need to be completed by Aug. 10.
Blair also took time to update the community on projects for the Push4Prevention Coalition.
“I am still doing the summer environmental scan,” Blair said. “We meet again on July 12 and August 9. We are also looking for organizations and donors to sponsor pizza for the youth-led coalitions in the schools next year. I am also working on a grant application to bring outreach workers into our community to connect individuals struggling with opiate addiction to treatment of their choice using mobile outreach teams and the philosophy of there are multiple pathways to recovery. Recovery is a process. Addiction is a health issue, not a moral failing.”
Blair said she will also be submitting an application to the Prevention Action Alliance that she hopes will pay for training and technical assistance.
The scans will be held at the Commission on Aging at 1179 S. Elm St. in Washington Court House. The agency has one large vehicle that is available to pick youth up to attend the summer project. The CAC will purchase lunch, and the youth will be accompanied by adults to conduct a scan of local businesses. Transportation will be provided to all of the sites through Fayette County Transportation. Transportation home will also be provided, if desired. Otherwise, youth may be dropped off at noon and picked up at 2 p.m.
To get involved in the coalition as a business sponsor or individual, volunteer to help with the environmental scan, or for more information about the coalition or the summer project, contact Blair at 740-335-7282 or [email protected].
For a full description of the Strategic Prevention Framework, please visit the prevention coalition’s page on CAC’s website at www.cacfayettecounty.org/faith-in-recovery-prevention-committee/.
