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.