What are the most pressing social issues facing Central Floridians today? To answer that question, Heart of Florida United Way contracted with the University of Central Florida to conduct the most comprehensive community needs assessment in a decade.
Several consistent themes emerged. Central Floridians are concerned about financial issues, particularly as they relate to employment, financial stability, affordable health care and affordable housing. They are also concerned about public safety, namely crime and particularly youth crime and unsafe neighborhoods; education issues, such as high school graduation rates and preparing children for school; and accessible care for our most vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, the hungry and homeless.
More than 3,000 tri-county residents were surveyed about the region’s most pressing problems. During the nine-month assessment conducted by the University of Central Florida Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences, researchers gathered data from every diverse segment of our community via focus groups, public forums, community events and Internet and random telephone surveys in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
The findings are consistent with a similar United Way study conducted back in 1997. In the 10 years since the last study, problems have continued to grow and compound even with great nonprofit leadership and programs, a generous community and millions of dollars raised.
United Way is using the findings from the study to guide the rollout of Community Impact, its new business model for responding to the increasing health and human service needs in Central Florida.
For a copy of the full study, click on: Tri-County Needs Assessment. To review research highlights, click on Executive Summary.
For more information, contact HFUW Community Impact Vice President Joan Nelson at (407) 835-0900, ext. 299, or e-mail Joan.Nelson@hfuw.org.