Responding to Focus Group Participant Stories:

 

Issues Converted to Program Outcomes

 

 

Subcommittee: Self Sufficiency

 

Focus Group Participants: Employed Human Service Clients (2 groups)

 

 

Issues Identified

Program Outcomes

(ID number from Logic Model)

Agencies were source of problems for these persons: treated them poorly, too much paper work, services not available;

 

People don’t know where to get information about local services;

(8) Individuals able to find the services that lead to self-sufficiency

Recognition of the importance of education in being self-sufficient;

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market 

Problems with public transportation and desire for private transportation options;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Childcare issues, especially when child becomes sick;

 

The challenges facing single-parent households…where does the support come from?

(7) Stable families

Challenges facing people with disabilities and older workers;

 

Employers not family friendly; workers sometimes have to choose between caring for sick child and employment;

 

A common desire to become or remain independent; not have to rely on agencies;

(Community outcome) Reduce financial dependency on community support systems

A common desire to have financial stability;

(Vision statement) Individuals and families able to draw on their personal and family resources to meet their financial needs

A distinction between problems which occur outside of one’s control and poor choices;

 

The “family responsibility” notion of caring for one’s family;

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

(7) Stable families

The desire to give back to community for help received.

 

A concern about health issues (including disabilities) and how to finance.

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Concern about the parental and social stigma of receiving aid. An embarrassing and hurtful experience; also seems to affect one’s self esteem. People providing aid were not respectful and seemed to look down on recipients. A strong resistance to asking for help.

 

Appears to be family dysfunction issues, especially with step-parents. Alcoholism and gambling were mentioned with unresponsive step-fathers.

(7) Stable families

They all seem to be working but struggling to make ends meet; working multiple jobs, part time, some bartering. There is no mention of educational goals or achievements.

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

A concern about medical expenses.

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

A concern about putting something aside for emergencies.

(1) Families with the ability to establish and follow budgets

Confusion about agency services; incomplete understanding about agencies.

(8) Individuals able to find the services that lead to self-sufficiency

All were concerned about the care of their children.

(7) Stable families

The married participant seemed the most content – religion also important aspect to her life.

(7) Stable families

 


Responding to Focus Group Participant Stories:

 

Issues Converted to Program Outcomes

 

 

Subcommittee: Self Sufficiency

 

Focus Group Participants: Employed Not Clients (2 groups)

 

 

Issues Identified

Program Outcomes

(ID number from Logic Model)

Negative experiences with welfare and helping agencies (rude and insensitive)

 

If aid was accessed, only used for short term assistance

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

Divorce and the financial trials of single parenthood were common

(7) Stable families

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

Lack of savings for retirement – more concerned with meeting present needs

(1) Families with the ability to establish and follow budgets;

(2) Good paying jobs/strong economy

A common concern about caring for their children

(7) Stable families

These participants were working and struggling to make ends meet

(2) Good paying jobs/strong economy

(1) Families with the ability to establish and follow budgets

A resentment about paying into the “system” and not qualifying for aid when needed – or having to sell their homes (they worked hard for) to qualify

 

A lack of future planning regarding education and job training.

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

Even though there is still a sense of financial struggles, a deep commitment to the work ethic;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

A belief that the younger generation lack a commitment to work and responsibility;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

Some used public aid for a short term period and only to help them get back on their feet – are very resentful of the abuse in the system by people not working to better themselves;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

 

Some positive experiences with agencies and churches helping them become independent;

 (8) Individuals able to find the services that lead to self-sufficiency

Self-sufficiency was defined as caring for self and family through commitment to hard work;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

 

They started to work at early age, and had work ethic instilled in them;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

There was little difference in the family structure regarding work ethic – even those in “broken” families expressed strong commitment to work;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

A concern about using childcare, in terms of the “costs” (financial, lost time with children, losing control over the communication of values);

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

A common concern about the cost of health insurance;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Desire for college education for their children, and the struggles attempting to finance their education.

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market

 


Responding to Focus Group Participant Stories:

 

Issues Converted to Program Outcomes

 

 

Subcommittee: Self Sufficiency

 

Focus Group Participants: Unemployed Human Service Clients (2 groups)

 

 

Issues Identified

Program Outcomes

(ID number from Logic Model)

Lack of education, training and skills to compete for good paying jobs

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market

A desire for more education and training

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market

Several stories of teen mothers who have low job skills and face difficulty upgrading skills to get better jobs; and the financial struggles of raising a child;

(5) Individuals have skills and knowledge upgraded to compete in today’s labor market

(2) Good paying jobs/strong economy (jobs producing a living wage)

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

Disability issues are prevalent, either themselves or their children. These disabilities affect their ability to get jobs and place heavy financial burden on them;

 

Mental health issues part of those disabilities, including depression and substance abuse;

Depression was common;

 

Many of them want to do better for their children;

 

Transportation issues;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Some participants were frustrated at getting service such as Medicaid, and the fact that some programs had time restrictions on service.

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

All participants defined self-sufficiency simply as making ends meet. They were struggling financially and had to constantly juggle bills. Many felt they “were just one paycheck away from going under”.

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

There seemed to be considerable challenges to single parents

A sense of burden associated with the care of children;

Family supports were not evident.

 

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

(7) Stable families

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

Concerned about medical care and their sick children;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Concerned about the disincentives for leaving public aid as earned income is offset by aid reductions;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

There are periods of homelessness among these participants;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

 

Common problem of self-esteem;

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

Agreement that aid agencies needs to be more sensitive and responsive to their needs;

 

Problems associated with marriage breakups – especially untrained women entering the workforce;

(7) Stable families

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

Spirituality was expressed;

 

 

 


Responding to Focus Group Participant Stories:

 

Issues Converted to Program Outcomes

 

 

Subcommittee: Self Sufficiency

 

Focus Group Participants: Unemployed Not Clients (2 groups)

 

 

Issues Identified

Program Outcomes

(ID number from Logic Model)

A pervasive lack of desire or motivation to improve economic condition. They are not aggressive in their search for jobs or a better living. Little future oriented thinking.

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

Among non-elderly, marital status seems to effect stability. Married participants seemed relatively content with relatively fewer struggles; single mothers the most stressed;

(7) Stable families

Concerns about health costs and the availability and fairness of current health payment practices;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

The desirability of home ownership;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

Concern about the long-term viability of the social security system;

 

All felt there should not be a stigma for working low-paying jobs – although not appropriate to their own situation;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

Older participants have “age discrimination” obstacles to employment;

 

Spending seems to keep up with income levels – never getting ahead;

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

(2) Good paying jobs/strong economy

Some defined self-sufficiency in terms of meeting just today’s needs; others wanted to do better than before and able to safe for the future or emergencies;

(6) Individuals with a sense of self and the opportunity to set realistic goals and dreams, and have hope in the future

All seemed to be survivors – able to stay alive with little help from family, friends or agencies. They adjusted their living conditions to meet their incomes. Because of this, they appeared to be comfortable in their situation;

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

 

One participant cited transportation as major obstacle to employment;

(3) Affordable basic needs (child care, housing, health, transportation, food, etc.)

 

Responsibility for oneself was instilled at early age, and passed on to their children;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

These individuals were 2-parent households and were raised in 2-parent households;

(7) Stable families

Strong work ethic;

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

A belief in the need to save for emergencies and retirement;

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

A belief in differences between older and younger generations (older: hard work, sacrifice, responsibility; younger: immediate needs, no commitment to hard work, spoiled);

(4) Universal acceptance of work ethic

(9) Both parents involved in meeting family financial obligations

All were proud of their money management/budgeting skills and how it had got them through hard times and provided for a comfortable yet not lavish retirement. They felt strongly about their skills of setting goals, budgeting, and future planning;

(1) Families with ability to establish and follow budgets

 

 

 

 

 

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1