EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Children
Community Importance:
“Child abuse and neglect” was
the #3 ranked issue in the 1999 Critical Issue Survey.
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
In 1998, there were
1,332 cases of child abuse and neglect in Vanderburgh County.
Ø
It is estimated that
10.7% of all children have been severely abused.
Ø
Approximately 30% of
abused children grow up to abuse their own children.
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Children develop their full
potential in a safe, loving, supportive and caring environment |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Prevent child abuse and
neglect Ø
Reduce repeat
abuse/neglect by perpetrators Ø
Break cycle of abuse by
addressing needs of adults who were abused as children |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) 1.
Reduce emotional
impacts of child abuse 2.
Parents learn positive
parenting 3.
Families free of
alcohol/drugs 4.
Parents better equipped
to handle stress 5.
Reduce teenage
pregnancy 6.
Fathers more involved
in nurturing children 7.
Reduce family isolation |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 165.
Teens
Community Importance:
“Teenage sex, pregnancy and
parenthood” was the #2 ranked issue in the 1999 Critical Issue Survey.
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
There were 151
Vanderburgh County births in 1997 to youth ages 10-17
Ø
There is considerable
peer pressure to have sex among teens, with over two-thirds of all teens having
sex by the time they are age 18
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Teens mature as adults
prepared to become healthy and productive members of society Children are born into
families where parents are equipped to provide for their emotional and
financial needs |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Reduce teenage
pregnancy Ø
Reduce inappropriate
sexual behavior Ø
Teen parents become
successful parents |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) 1.
Teens engaged in after-school
activities 2.
Teen parents stay in
school and get education 3.
Teens mature is stable
family environment 4.
Teens realize
consequences of sex 5.
Teen fathers involved
in support of children 6.
Teens perceive hope for
positive future 7.
Community values and
support youth |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 206.
Elderly & Disabled
Community Importance:
There were several “top tier”
elderly/disability issues identified in the Critical Issue survey:
“In home services for elderly
who want to remain independent” #1 critical issue
“Support for people caring
for disabled in home” #6 critical issue
“Support for caregivers and
patients with long-term and terminal illness” #9 issue
“Support for people with
disabilities” #12 issue
“Support for people with
mental illness” # 14 issue
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
Approximately 11% of all
senior ages 65-79 need some form of daily living assistance, over 34% of senior
over age 80 require assistance.
Ø
Approximately 5% of the
total population (over age 15) have some form of disability which requires
assistance in daily living
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
People of all ages and
capabilities accepted by the community and recognized for their talents and
special needs |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Elderly and disabled
live in home environment of their own choosing Ø
Elderly and disabled
remain/become actively engaged and connected to community |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 249.
Family
Community Importance:
There were several “family”
issues identified through the critical issue survey process:
“Children needing parents to
be more involved in their lives” # 7 critical issue
“Spouse abuse and safety of
victims” # 15 issue
“Need to improve parenting
and family skills” #21 issue
“Families in need of
supportive friends, relatives, groups, neighbors” #23 issue
The subcommittee grouped all
the issues together and defined the larger issue as: “Improving the quality of
family life”
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
In 1997, there were
1,285 divorces filed in Vanderburgh County
Ø
Where in 1960
approximately 70% of all Vanderburgh County adults were in a marriage
relationship, in 1990 only 55% were married.
Ø
Over 68% of black babies
born in Vanderburgh County are to single parents
Ø
Poverty is becoming
increasing a factor of single-parenthood: over 60% of all poor households are
headed by single female
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Family members loving and
caring for each other, parents preparing children for life and
self-sufficiency, all supported in a network of caring relationships and
community supports |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Increased number of
children raised in households with both parents present Ø
Increased positive
outcomes for children raised in households with only one parent present |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 119.
Self Sufficiency
Community Importance:
There were several “top tier”
elderly/disability issues identified in the Critical Issue survey:
“Jobs which pay a living
wage” critical issue #8
“Teach life skills to meet
needs of families and children”, issue #10
“Affordable housing for
low-income people”, issue #16
“Financial security for
families and their children”, #20
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
In Vanderburgh County,
there were 20,016 persons below the poverty level in 1990, another 14,000
persons at 150% of poverty level, and another 15,000 between 150% and 200% of
poverty
Ø
In 1990, 48.5% of all
low-income households used some form of public or private assistance
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Individuals and families
able to draw on their personal and family resources to meet their financial
needs |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Reduced financial
dependency on community support systems |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 64.
Community Importance:
The Steering Committee
selected “alcohol and drug abuse”, the #4 ranked critical issue, for further
study and strategic planning.
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
Estimates of 6% of the
population used illicit drug on regular basis, however, among youth ages 12-17
the level rises to 10%, and 16% among 18-25 year olds; 10% of persons over age
65 have a drinking problem and is part of nursing home resident history in 50%
of the cases.
Ø
Individuals with an
alcoholic parent are 6 times more likely to become alcoholic themselves
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Youth and elderly
become/remain active, productive, contributing members of our community |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Reduced early
experimentation and use of
alcohol/drugs by youth Ø
Reduced abuse of
alcohol/drugs among the elderly |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |
Complete Subcommittee Report:
Page 299.
Community Importance:
The selection of a Livable
Neighborhoods category was not driven by the constellation of particular needs
or problems found in the critical issue survey, but by a recognition that many
of the critical issues play out in our neighborhoods and people are touched by
these issues in their homes and with their neighbors. Thus, the over sixty (60)
Evansville neighborhood associations were asked to plan their “ideal livable
neighborhood”.
Common Themes:
Ø
Safe Neighborhoods (free
of drugs and crime)
Ø
Government and property
owner responsibility for upkeep of property
Ø
Friendly and involved
neighbors
Ø
Forces outside of
neighborhood changing (degrading) the character of neighborhood
Ø
Parks and activities for
youth
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Neighborhood Residents value
the beauty and character of the neighborhoods they choose to invest and/or
live in. It is important to preserve that source of pride and comfort, and protect
it from internal and external forces degrading its character. |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Preserve the character of neighborhoods |
AREA OF EMPHASIS
|
Community Importance:
The Warrick County
Subcommittee selected “drugs” as their issue for strategic planning purposes,
with a special focus on the impact adult behavior has on youth use. It was
ranked #1 in the Warrick County Critical Issue Survey.
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
In 1997, there were 84
adults and 49 juveniles arrested for selling and distributing drugs; another 42
arrests on misdemeanor drug charges.
Ø
Estimates of 6% of the
population used illicit drug on regular basis, however, among youth ages 12-17
the level rises to 10%, and 16% among 18-25 year olds; 10% of persons over age
65 have a drinking problem and is part of nursing home resident history in 50%
of the cases.
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Warrick County youth develop
into productive and healthy citizens through the example of responsible and
caring adults |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Increase number of
Warrick County adults who are aware that when they use alcohol, tobacco and
other drugs, they are setting an example for youth. Ø
Increase number of
Warrick County youth who choose a lifestyle free of alcohol, tobacco and
other drugs. |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |
Community Importance:
The Spencer County
Subcommittee selected “youth at risk” as their area of focus. The issue was
ranked #4 on the Spencer County Critical Issue Survey, but was related to many
other top ranked issues.
Dimension of Problem:
Ø
There are an estimated
622 youth in Spencer County living in poverty
Ø
There are an estimated
548 Spencer County families with a single head of household
Ø
State-wide estimates
indicate that 40% of all sophomores use alcohol on a regular basis, 31% smoke
cigarettes, and 21% smoke marijuana
Strategic Plan Response:
VISION STATEMENT
Families able to draw on
personal, family and community resources to meet their children’s academic,
social and personal needs |
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Ø
Increased number of
individuals who graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education
or training Ø
Increased number of
youths and families who live and cope without abusing substances, other
people, or themselves |
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
(Rank Ordered) |