PRIORITY AREAS

Children, youth and adults have access to quality education that supports academic and social success.

Target Issue: Many children do not enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Intended Results:

• Increase access to quality, affordable early care and education for children birth through kindergarten.
• Improve family and caregiver ability to support social and language development in young children.
• Enhance the community’s ability to identify children with developmental vulnerabilities and offer early intervention.

Indicator: increase % of children assessed as proficient on standardized kindergarten readiness assessment.

Target Issue: Many children do not move successfully from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Intended Results:

• Strengthen ability of youth to make good decisions and avoid adolescent risk behaviors.
• Increase the involvement of families, caregivers and the community in the academic success of our youth.
• Provide for character and leadership development among all children and youth.
• Improve basic academic skills of children performing below grade level.
• Develop diverse and flexible educational options for a variety of learners.

Indicator: increase % of children proficient on standardized 3rd grade reading assessment; increase % of children proficient on standardized 8th grade math assessment.

Target Issue: Many high school graduates do not further their education in vocational training, technical education or college.
Intended Results:

• Increase support of programs designed to guide youth from high school to higher education.
• Enhance collaboration between schools, institutions of higher learning, and community organizations targeted at increasing the number of high school graduates who pursue higher education.
• Increase community responsiveness to the impact of culture and attitude on education.

Indicator: increase # of youth who graduate with AP classes (score 4 or higher) or graduate with dual credits; increase % post-secondary enrollment and post-secondary attainment rate (Associate’s Degree or higher).

Individuals and families in our community are able to meet basic needs and build economic self-sufficiency.

Target Issue: The safety net of emergency services available in our community is difficult to navigate and has limited capacity.

Intended Results:

• Increase availability of services that provide assistance for basic needs for people in crisis.
• Improve coordination of services among agencies providing emergency assistance.
• Increase availability of case management to navigate community resources and prevent future crises.

Indicator: decrease the demand for emergency services; decrease % of all residents and children living at 100% of FPL to less than or equal to the state average.

Target Issue: Many people do not have the resources in order to be self-sufficient.

Intended Results:

• Provide clear educational paths for adults without their high school diploma.
• Improve technical and soft job skills among unemployed/underemployed.
• Reduce environmental barriers to employment including access to transportation and affordable child care.

Indicator: increase median family incomes; increase % of individuals that attain certificates of completion, GED or post-secondary credential.

Target Issue: Families and adults often do not manage their resources in a manner that supports financial stability
Intended Results:

• Increase basic financial literacy among members of our community.
• Encourage savings and asset development within low-moderate income households.
• Increase affordable and safe housing stock for low-income households.

Indicator: increase % of low-income families that have a checking/savings account with a minimum balance of $300; increase % of homeownership for low-income families; decrease % of monthly housing costs for low income families.

Members of our community have the knowledge, resources and opportunities to live healthy, safe, and active lives.

Target Issue: Many people in our community do not live in safe environments.

Intended Results:

• Strengthen community efforts to prevent violence and abuse.
• Maximize likelihood of recovery among victims of violence or abuse.

Indicator: decrease # of CDV homicides; decrease the incidence of indicated child abuse; maximize the likelihood of recovery among victims of violence or abuse.

Target Issue: Many people in our community lack access to quality primary care and behavioral health.

Intended Results:

• Increase access to quality primary, behavioral, and dental healthcare.
• Improve coordination amongst existing healthcare providers.
• Address health inequities within vulnerable populations.

Indicator: reduce the # of emergency room discharges for ambulatory care sensitive conditions; reduce the # of residents who report they were unable to see a doctor in the last 12 months due to costs; increase the # of uninsured residents that have a medical home; increase the % of residents able to access behavioral health care.

Target Issue: Our community has limited infrastructure and cultural support for preventative health and wellness.

Intended Results:

• Increase awareness of and opportunities for wellness, prevention and early detection.
• Increase physical activity and healthy eating habits among our citizens.
• Support policy and advocacy in the areas of wellness and prevention.
• Foster growth of supportive services for seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

Indicator: reduce % of adults who are overweight/obese; reduce the % of adults who report having diabetes; decrease the prevalence of overweight and obese children in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade; increase % of families who live within ½ a mile to fresh food outlets and green space.