United Way of Cumberland County 222 Maiden Lane Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301 Speak Out! Cumberland County 2009 Community Health & Human Service Needs Assessment 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS United Way of Cumberland County Speak Out! Cumberland County 2009 Community Health & Human Service Needs Assessment Chair Vera Bell, United Way of Cumberland County Board of Directors/Community Impact Council Statistical Analyst Dr. Constance Lightner, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Department of Management & Associate Professor, MBA Program, Fayetteville State University Community Research Crystal Moore-McNair, Community Impact Director, United Way of Cumberland County Survey Development Committee Cathy Barkley UWCC Board of Directors Dr. Shirley Chao Fayetteville State University Hank Debnam Cumberland County Mental Health Erica Gordon Cumberland Community Foundation Mary Flagg Haugh UWCC Community Impact Council Tom Lambeth City Rescue Mission Kristie Lozano Chamber of Commerce Amanda Olson CONTACT of Fayetteville Dr. Jerry Powell Fayetteville Family Life Center Deborah Brown CC Department of Social Services Teresa Currey City of Fayetteville Police Department Kathy Dickson Cumberland County Schools Sonya Green Cumberland County Community Development Gladys Hunt Cumberland County Association for Indian People Tammy Laurence Child Advocacy Center Ron McElrath City of Fayetteville Human Relations Department Cathy Ory The Care Clinic Manny Specht The Salvation Army Jeanne Carmichael American Red Cross, Highlands Chapter Judy Dawkins Retired Senior Volunteer Program Denise Giles Cumberland Interfaith Hospitality Network David Griffin Second Harvest Food Bank of SENC Dr. Robin Jenkins Cumberland County CommuniCare, Inc. Rusty Long Fayetteville Urban Ministry Laura Moore Cumberland County Schools Cortez Phillip Second Harvest Food Bank of SENC Catherine Van Sickle CC Coordinating Council on Older Adults Sylvia Adamczyk Cumberland County Schools Meta Barham-Trombley Girl Scouts-NC Coastal Pines Council Jackie Blue Community Volunteer Roderick Davison US Army, Fort Bragg Susan Guy In-School Scouting Program Rusty Long Fayetteville Urban Ministry Rose Navarro Army Community Services Pamela Story Cumberland County Schools Catherine Van Sickle CC Coordinating Council on Older Adults Community Focus Group Facilitators Brenda Anderson Nijmegen Neighborhood Center Vera Bell UWCC Board of Directors Barbara Briggs Vision Resource Center Kimberly Durden SENC Radio Reading Service Delma Jackson FSU-Department of Social Work Joyce Loughlin UWCC Board of Directors George Quigley Community Impact Council Denise Suggs Community Volunteer James Woods Piedmont Natural Gas Charlene Austin UWCC Board of Directors Chief Tom Bergamine City of Fayetteville Police Department Terri Clark MSW, UNC Pembroke Deanne Gerdes Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County Judy Klinck Better Health of Cumberland County Patricia Lyons Piedmont Natural Gas Harold Richardson UWCC Community Impact Council Leslie Tukes Fayetteville State University 2
Grace Coppock RSVP/Community Volunteer Michele Culbreth FSU Student Volunteer Bimnet Fantu-Downes FSU Student Volunteer Gloria McGintuy RSVP Community Volunteer Geneva Meyers Fayetteville Housing Authority Volunteer Jody Risacher Cumberland County Public Library Edith Smith RSVP Community Volunteer Tiffany Taylor FSU Student Volunteer Natasha Vaughn FSU Student Volunteer Julius McNair Community Volunteer Distribution Committee Chequela Courts FSU Student Volunteer Kendall Dork FSU Student Volunteer Neisha Gillam FSU Student Volunteer Jasmine McNair FSU Student Volunteer Tamekia Nichols Habitat For Humanity Volunteer Tiffany Scott FSU Student Volunteer Teah Smith FSU Student Volunteer Adolph Thomas City of Fayetteville Community Development Tiffany Williams FSU Student Volunteer Mr. Crow Community Volunteer Data Entry Volunteers Marion Crowe RSVP/Community Volunteer Tatiana Faison FSU Student Volunteer Shanika Horne FSU Student Volunteer Julius McNair Community Volunteer Melissa Ray Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Larika Sexton FSU Student Volunteer Sean Spearman Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Kaodi Umerah FSU Student Volunteer Finale Williams FSU Student Volunteer Bemnet Fantu-Downes FSU Student Volunteer Koadi Umerah FSU Student Volunteer Geneva Meyers Community Volunteer Jasmine McNair FSU Student Volunteer Special Thanks to our Community Partners Beasley Broadcast Group City of Fayetteville Parks & Recreation Community Centers Cumberland County Public Libraries Cumulus Broadcast Group Fayetteville Neighborhood Resource Centers Picerne/Fort Bragg Housing Nijmegen Community Center American Speedy Printing Centers The Fayetteville Observer United Way of Cumberland County Board of Directors United Way of Cumberland County Partner Agencies Up & Coming Magazine United Way of Cumberland County Staff Robert Hines President & CEO Roberta Humphries Resource Development Director Shirley Stallings VP Finance & Operations Crystal Moore-McNair Community Impact Director DeLease Richardson Finance/Administrative Assistant Tracy Autry Accounts Receivable Associate United Way of Cumberland County Mission: Advancing the Common Good LIVING UNITED The mission of United Way is to improve the quality of lives in Cumberland County by addressing critical human needs. We do this by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. We know it takes the whole community working together to improve lives. So United Way encourages you to give, advocate, and volunteer. We invite you to be part of the change. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. That s what it means to LIVE UNITED. 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... 2 UWCC MISSION: ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD LIVE UNITED 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS.. 4 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: MAJOR FINDINGS.. 6 CUMBERLAND COUNTY AT A GLANCE: COMMUNITY OVERVIEW... 7 SPEAK OUT! CUMBERLAND COUNTY 2009 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW. 8 METHODOLOGY: HOW THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED... 10 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS 11 HOUSEHOLD SURVEY RESULTS.. 13 I. EDUCATION.. 13 A. Strengthening Children & Youth 13 a. Cumberland County Children & Youth Trends and Current Conditions 14 B. Strengthening Families. 17 b. Cumberland County Families Trends and Current Conditions... 18 i. Child Abuse, Neglect & Assault 18 ii. Family and Domestic Violence.. 19 iii. Sexual Assault.. 20 C. Strengthening Neighborhoods 21 c. Cumberland County Strengthening Neighborhoods Trends and Conditions 22 i. Crime/Criminal Activity in the Neighborhood 22 ii. Youth Crime/Gang Activity. 22 II. INCOME 25 A. Basic and Emergency Needs.. 25 a. Cumberland County Basic & Emergency Needs Trends and Conditions.. 26 i. Poverty.. 26 ii. Employment and Income. 26 b. County Employment & Income Trends and Conditions.. 27 c. Cumberland County Homelessness Trends and Conditions. 27 B. Independence in the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.. 30 b. Cumberland County Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Trends and Current Conditions.. 30 III. HEALTH: Advocating Health and Healing. 31 A. Cumberland County Health Trends and Current Conditions... 32 KEY INFORMANT SURVEY RESULTS. 35 UWCC DONOR SURVEY RESULTS... 40 COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP SURVEY RESULTS 42 COMMUNITY STRENGTHS 44 SUMMARY...... 46 CONCULSION 47 SOURCES OF INFORMATION 48 4
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR United Way of Cumberland County, like all other United Ways, is faced with critical decisions concerning the most effective and responsible way to allocate funds raised during the annual campaign. Program emphasis and priority-settings are two of the ways that United Way can use to guide decision-making. Speak Out! Cumberland County is an assessment designed to identify current human service issues and needs within our community. The study will provide useful data for planning and directing dollars to meet critical needs. The results will also identify emerging needs and gaps in the health and human service system. The results will serve as an additional tool to assist United Way of Cumberland County s Community Impact Volunteers in making funding decisions. We wish to thank our Survey Development Committee, Community Focus Group Facilitators, the Distribution Committee, and Data Entry Volunteers. Their knowledge of issues and dedication to the community makes them leaders in the search for creative solutions to our health and human service needs. A special thank you to our statistician, Dr. Constance Lightner, PH.D., of Fayetteville State University. Dr. Lightner gave extremely valuable guidance during the entire process, and we are deeply indebted to her. Thanks also to the staff of United Way of Cumberland County who spent many long hours in support of this project. It is hoped that this document will be useful not only to the United Way of Cumberland County, but to other organizations in the county. Vera Bell, Chair 2009 Community Health & Human Service Needs Assessment 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: MAJOR FINDINGS The following were major issues identified by the Household surveys: Unemployment and/or underemployment, 64% Lack of affordable after-school care and summer programs, 55% Overcrowded classrooms and unsafe schools, 53% Lack of job training opportunities, 52% Illegal drug use and distribution within the neighborhood, 51% Teen pregnancy prevention & intervention, 51% Crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood, 49% Lack of affordable medical, dental and mental care, 48% Gang activity and youth crimes within the neighborhood, 47% Literacy (reading below grade level, end of grade testing), 46% Family and domestic violence, 46% Abused, neglected and assaulted children, 44% Emergency assistance for basic needs, 41% Prescription medication assistance, 40% Key informants (community leaders) listed the following as major issues within the community: Gang activity and youth crimes within the neighborhood, 53% Lack of affordable medical, dental and mental health care, 52% Literacy (reading below grade level, end of grade testing), 52% Poverty, 49% Family violence and/or abuse of children or adults, 48% Shortage of temporary and transitional family shelters, 47% Crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood, 46% Alcohol and/or drug abuse, 45% Teen pregnancy prevention and intervention, 44% Unemployment and/or underemployment, 44% Emergency assistance for basic needs, 44% Homelessness, 44% Services to reduce high school dropouts, 44% Inadequate public transportation, 44% The following were major issues identified by the UWCC Donor household surveys: Literacy (Reading below grade level & testing scores), 52% High school dropout rates, 46% Overcrowded classrooms and unsafe schools, 46% Teen pregnancy prevention & intervention, 46% Abused, neglected, & assaulted children, 46% Crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood, 41% Adequate and affordable recreational facilities, 41% Community involvement and volunteer opportunities, 39% Illegal drug use and distribution within the neighborhood, 39% Job training opportunities, 37% Gang activity and youth crimes within the neighborhood, 37% Affordable cultural attractions and activities, 37% Family and domestic violence, 35% Sexual assault, 35% Unemployment. Shortage of jobs that pay enough money to cover basic financial needs, 31% Lack of affordable medical, dental, and mental health care, 31% The following were major issues identified by Community Focus Group household surveys: High school dropout rates, 72% Illegal drug use and distribution within the neighborhood, 72% Teen pregnancy prevention & intervention, 69% Gang activity & youth crimes within the neighborhood, 59% Crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood, 59% Family and domestic violence, 55% Abused, neglected & assaulted children, 52% Literacy (Reading below grade level & testing scores), 48% Lack of affordable medical, dental and mental health care, 48% Job training opportunities, 48% Overcrowded classrooms & unsafe schools, 48% Abuse, neglect & assault on elderly, 48% Homeownership, mortgage/rental assistance, 45% Affordable counseling for children, youth & families, parental support programs, 45% Homelessness; shortage of shelters, 45% Shortage of shelters for families & women, 45% Sexual assault, 45% Shortage of affordable housing, 41% Assistance with financial management, 41% Emergency assistance for utilities, etc., 41% 6
Cumberland County at a Glance Community Overview The following tables are based upon the 2005-2007 U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder Population and Housing Narrative Profile: American Community Survey: Population & Housing Profile 3-year Estimates. POPULATION OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. From 2005-2007, Cumberland County had a total population of 307,000 158,000 (52%) females and 148,000 (48%) males. The median age was 32.8 years. 28% of the population was under 18 years and 9% was 65 years and older. RACE AND ETHNICITY. For people reporting one race alone, 57% (166,149) were White; 37% (107,532) were Black or African American; 1% (3,829) were American Indian and Alaska Native; 2% (6,401) were Asian; 0.3% (814) were Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and 3%(8,546) were some other race. 4% (133,232) reported two or more races. 6% (18,821) of the people in Cumberland County were Hispanic. SPOKEN LANGUAGE. 5% of the people living in Cumberland County from 2005-2007 were foreign born. 95% were native, including 45% who were born in North Carolina. Among people at least 5 years old living in Cumberland County from 2005-2007, 9% spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home 57% spoke Spanish and 43% spoke some other language; 29% reported that they did not speak English very well. 7
HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES. From 2005-2007 there were 118,000 households in Cumberland County. The average household size was 2.5 people. Families made up 69% of the households in Cumberland County. This figure includes both married-couple families (46%) and other families (23%). Nonfamily households made up 31% of all households in Cumberland County. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one were related to the householder. GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY. From 2005-2007, 76% of the people at least one year old living in Cumberland County were living in the same residence one year earlier; 13% had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 2% from another county in the same state, 7% from another state, and 2% from abroad. OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER. Among the most common occupations were: management, professional, and related occupations, 32%; sales and office occupations, 26%; Service occupations, 19%; production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 13%; and construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations, 10%. 66% of the people employed were private wage and salary workers; 28% were federal, state, or local government workers; and 6% were self-employed in own not incorporated businesses. INDUSTRIES. From 2005-2007, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Cumberland County were educational services, health care, and social assistance, 25%, and retail trade, 13%. 8
Speak Out! Cumberland County 2009 Community Assessment Background and Overview What is the Community Assessment? Advancing The Common Good Creating opportunities for a good life for all by focusing on: EDUCATION INCOME HEALTH In 2004, United Way of Cumberland County began an ambitious journey to refocus its purpose as an organization from fundraising to creating impact. Creating community impact means effectively responding to important community needs and problems by developing effective strategies that address the underlying causes of those problems. The strategic vision is based on three core principles: 1. Focusing on the achievement of meaningful and measurable results at a community level; 2. Developing those results through strategies based on inclusiveness, collaboration and integration; and 3. Building the capacity of agencies, systems and the community itself to contribute to the achievement of those results. In response to those principles, United Way organized its work around six critical need areas-supporting our children and youth; strengthening families and neighborhoods; meeting basic needs; fostering independence in the elderly and persons with disabilities; promoting health and healing; and addressing family violence/abuse of children and adults. Currently focusing on education, income, and health, to achieve United Way of Cumberland County s mission to improve the quality of lives in Cumberland County by addressing critical human needs, we strategically engage and build relationships with diverse community stakeholders, contributors and partners to Identify Community Goals and concerns Choose a Limited Number of Critical Issues Develop Impact Strategies that change community conditions to improve lives Though the community goals and objectives have been reaffirmed and fine-tuned in recent years, they have not been fully re-examined since their creation in 2004. In 2008, United Way determined that it was time to undertake a formal community assessment process and use the results to affirm or revise critical need areas, community goals and community objectives to ensure that they represent the most significant community needs that are most appropriate for United Way support. Speak Out Cumberland County: United Way of Cumberland County s Community Needs Assessment 2009 is the next step in this process, describing community conditions and community responses to those conditions. United Way volunteers and staff are using the information as a context for redeveloping long term community goals and objectives to guide United Way s community impact efforts. To advance the common good, United Way aligns its activities, resources and functions in order to: Achieve community impact Mobilize resources Create a positive brand experience 9
METHODOLOGY How the community assessment was conducted. This document is designed to be used by the entire community. The United Way of Cumberland County will employ the needs assessment within its committee structure to assist volunteers, as they make critical funding decisions that address needs identified within this document. While the United Way cannot address all of the needs contained within this report, it will prioritize and address those that it can through the programming of its partner agencies. The United Way will also strive to include even more partners around a common table to help build a better community in Cumberland County. Speak Out! Cumberland County: United Way of Cumberland County s Community Needs Assessment 2009 is designed to identify current human services issues and needs within our community. The study determined, by survey and sampling, the degree of importance of a variety of needs as they pertain to different demographic categories. The Board of Directors of the United Way of Cumberland County, through its recent strategic planning process, directed as a part of its strategic plan, that a needs assessment should be completed in 2009 as a means of helping United Way staff and volunteers to understand and better address community issues. The last needs assessment conducted by this United Way was in 2004. The needs assessment will be used as a tool to assist United Way volunteers to make appropriate funding decisions. The needs assessment will also help United Way volunteers fulfill its mission: To Measurably Improve the Quality of Peoples Lives in Cumberland County. The Speak Out! Cumberland County: UWCC s Community Needs Assessment 2009 survey instrument was originally adopted with modifications from the United Way of America s COMPASS II instrument. In 2007, United Way of America released a Public Opinion Poll Survey instrument for conducting community needs assessments. Both instruments have been thoroughly field tested for validity and reliability. The 2009 Survey Development Committee reviewed, amended and adopted a survey instrument by combining essential elements of the Speak Out! Cumberland County 2003 and the 2007 Opinion Poll survey instruments. The committee administered the hybrid instrument to a test group of residents and solicited feedback from the participants to make final edits. Speak Out! Cumberland County 2009 has four components: Key Informants, Household Surveys, Community Focus Groups and United Way of Cumberland County s Donors. Key Informants are community leaders who work with numerous human service agencies that provide a variety of services. Thus they are uniquely qualified to assess the health and human service needs within Cumberland County. Six hundred (600) Key Informants in Cumberland County were identified and mailed key informant surveys. One hundred fifty-nine (159) Key Informants completed and returned their surveys for a response rate of 27%. The key informant survey asked questions in the following areas: Community Strengths, Challenges, and Issues. Household surveys were mailed to 6,000 randomly selected Cumberland County households to assess community strengths and human services needs. The county was divided into 16 geographic areas, based upon zip codes, so that responses could be compared among diverse regions (stratified random sampling). The fraction of the 6,000 surveys mailed to each zip code matched the proportion of Cumberland County s residential dwellings in each region. In an effort to increase the response rate, a comprehensive marketing plan was launched to publicize the mailing of household surveys and encourage residents to complete and return their surveys. This plan included paid newspaper and radio ads, several news articles, cable TV announcements and visits to several community meetings. In addition, a drawing was announced to provide a small financial incentive and motivate prompt returns, while preserving the anonymity of individual survey responses. Ultimately, 526 surveys were returned a response rate of 8.8%. Most zip codes were proportionately represented. This sample size resulted in a 4% margin of error for the analysis presented in the next section. Household surveys were also randomly mailed to 1,000 United Way of Cumberland County Donors, using the same stratified random sampling as our community household surveys. Community Focus Groups were held at all of the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Centers. Two meetings were held at the Fort Bragg Nijmegen Neighborhood Center. The household surveys asked questions in the following areas: Education- Strengthening Children, Youth, Families and Neighborhoods; Income-Supporting Basic Needs, Financial Stability, and Independence in Older Adults/Persons with Disabilities; and Health- Advocating Health and Healing. 10
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTISTICS OF HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENTS The following charts will describe the 526 respondents to the household survey. The Community Assessment examined their age, gender, race, income levels, and residential zip code areas. CHART ONE: Age Group CHART TWO: Gender CHART THREE: Race/Ethnicity 11
CHART FOUR: Income Range Chart Five: Zip Codes The following zip codes appear throughout the report: 28301 (Murchison Road, FSU, EE Smith High School District & Downtown Area) 28312 (Cedar Creek Road and South View High School District) 28303 (Vanstory Hills, FTCC, Terry Sanford High School District, Bonnie Doone, Westover High School District) 28304 (CFVHS, Owen Drive, Douglas Byrd High School District) 28305 (Hay Mount, Savoy Heights, Terry Sanford High School District) 28306 (Massey Hill, Cumberland Road, Gates Four, Southview High School District) 28307 (Fort Bragg & Pope Air Force Base) 28311 (Methodist College, Pine Forest High School District) 28312 (Vander, Cape Fear High School District) 28314 (Lake Rim, 71 st High School District) 28348 (Hope Mills, Grays Creek High School District) 28390 (Spring Lake, Pine Forest High School District) 28391 (Eastover, Stedman) 12
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY RESULTS The following charts and data outline the most significant results of the Community Needs Assessment according to household respondents. In some cases there is comparative data to illustrate the issue while the charts speak for themselves in other issue areas. It should be noted, however, that not all percentages add up to one hundred percent in each chart, as not all questions were answered by all of the respondents. I.A. EDUCATION: Strengthening Children & Youth United Way of Cumberland County invests the majority of its resources on children and youth services. Household respondents indicated literacy (reading below grade level and end of grade testing), overcrowded classrooms and unsafe schools, lack of affordable after-school and summer programs, as well as, teen pregnancy prevention and intervention programs as major issues in Cumberland County. Chart six details the percentage of household responses to each indicated major issue. Table one below details United Way s 2008/2009 allocations to these programs and services. Community Impact Partner Agencies must provide budget data for programs funded by United Way of Cumberland County. Chart seven details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that strengthen children and youth. 13
Table One: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for EDUCATION: Children & Youth Programs UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED At-Risk Youth Prevention & Intervention Programs $40,000 523 Boy Scouting Program $60,000 2,754 Childcare Program $12,000 342 Community Center After-School and Summer Youth Program $39,000 215 Dolly Parton Imagination Library $30,000 1,485 Find A Friend Mentoring Program $20,000 173 Girl Scouting Outreach Program $35,000 3,377 In School Scouting Program for Disabled Youth $17,500 766 Youth Development Core Programs $87,000 396 Youth Swim Lessons & Sports $10,000 2,040 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $350,500 12,071 Cumberland County Children & Youth (Education) Trends and Current Conditions Social and demographic data cited in the 2005-2007 American Community Survey: School Enrollment & Educational Attainment 3-Year Estimates provide additional data about education trends and conditions in Cumberland County. 1. In 2005-2007, the total population in Cumberland County 3 years and older enrolled in school was 90,973. Of that number, 4,951 were enrolled in nursery school or preschool; 5,425 in kindergarten; 19,692 enrolled in elementary school grades 1-4; 17,554 enrolled in middle school grades 5-8; 19,694 enrolled in high school grades 9-12; 20,106 enrolled in college or undergraduate school; and 3,551 enrolled in graduate or professional school. 2. Cumberland County has a population of 35,576 residents age 18 to 24. Of that number 14.2% have less than a high school diploma; 46.0% are high school graduates (includes equivalency); 35.5% have some college or associate s degree; and 4.3% have attained a bachelor s degree or higher. 3. From 2005-2007, 87% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 21% had a bachelor s degree or higher. 13% were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. 14
4. According to the North Carolina SAT Report-2004-2006: in 2004, 53.3% of county students took the SAT with an average score of 962. In 2005, 57.4% of county students took the SAT with an average score of 956 in 2006. 54.0% of county students took the SAT with an average score of 959. 5. According to the North Carolina Education Report compiled by 2008 North Carolina Network of Grant Makers, to ensure that all of North Carolina s young people will graduate from high school prepared for further education, productive careers, and constructive participation in their communities and in our democracy, North Carolina must take action in the following five priority areas: i) Priority 1: Develop High-Quality Leadership for North Carolina s Schools and Classrooms. NC has a principal turnover rate of 12% and we do not provide enough high-quality training and development for our principals or our superintendents. In addition, North Carolina faces a shortage of top-quality teachers, who are essential to increasing student achievement and are critical to overall instructional leadership and school culture. ii) Priority 2: Strengthen Standards and Accountability for School Performance. We must evolve our accountability system so that it raises expectations for all students and helps them acquire the skills they need to thrive and to become constructive members of their communities. We need to build public support for and understanding of a rigorous accountability system, and we must end the persistence of low-performing schools, which shortchange too many students and communities. iii) Priority 3: Increase Support for Children and Families Within and Outside of the Schools. Early experiences provide the foundation for learning, but some families need help gaining the skills necessary to help their children succeed. Improvements in student performance are much more likely if North Carolina engages parents and families, provides high-quality early education for all students, and develops a comprehensive system for offering after-school and summer programming. iv) Priority 4: Align Governance and Funding for 21 st Century Results. North Carolina s state and local systems of school governance lack alignment of authority and responsibility, which makes it difficult to hold anyone accountable. In addition, because funding is limited, we must work to ensure that the allocation of public dollars is organized in a way that maximizes school results. v) Priority 5: Engage Communities in Supporting Education. Public schools can improve in a sustainable way when a broad-based coalition of community members pays close attention, provides support, and holds the school system accountable for results. North Carolina schools and district leaders, along with business and community leaders, should work together to build partnerships that support the schools. 15
Teen Pregnancy (Ages 15-19) 2007 Trends 1 : The County s total teen pregnancy rate of 72.7% was significantly higher than the State s rate of 63.0%. Minority teen pregnancy rates were higher than white teen pregnancy rates for both the County and the State. The County s total fertility rate of 53.2% was slightly higher than the State s total fertility rate of 48.4%. The County s minority fertility rate of 55.3% was slightly lower than the State s minority fertility rate of 50.8% Teen Pregnancy Ages 15-19, 2007 Per 1,000 Population Number of Pregnancies Rates Indicator Cumberland County NC Cumberland County NC White 352 11,070 63.4 52.3 Minority 496 8,206 77.5 82.5 TOTAL 869 19,615 72.7 63.0 Teen Fertility Rates Ages 15-19, 2007 Per 1,000 Population Births Fertility Rates Indicator Cumberland County NC Cumberland County NC White 282 8,946 50.8 42.3 Minority 354 6,115 55.3 61.5 TOTAL 636 15,061 53.2 48.4 1 Source: 2007 Teen Pregnancies-NC DHHS Division of Public Health, State Center for Health. www.schs.state.nc.us/sch/data/databook 16
I.B. EDUCATION: Strengthening Families Major issues cited by respondents affecting families were: job training opportunities, homeownership, and mortgage and rental assistance, abused, neglected & assault on children, family and domestic violence, sexual assault; and abuse, neglect and assault on older adults. United Way of Cumberland County s 2008/2009 funding allocated to programs and services impacting these critical issues are detailed in the Table two below. Chart eight details percentage of household responses. Chart nine details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that strengthen families. Table Two: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for EDUCATION: Strengthening Families Services UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED Cumberland County Family Outreach Program $35,000 1,031 CARE Center Transitional Housing for Domestic Abuse $10,000 90 Emergency Financial Assistance Program $35,000 12,310 Faith Based Family Counseling Program $25,000 1,532 Affordable Home Ownership Program $20,000 16 Victim Services $22,500 260 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $147,500 15,239 17
Cumberland County Strengthening Families Trends and Current Conditions Household respondents indicated abuse, neglect and assault on children; family and domestic violence; and sexual assault as major issues in Cumberland County. The following social and demographic data indicates trends and conditions in Cumberland County. Child Abuse, Neglect and Assault. Social and demographic data cited in the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services Division of Social Services Children Subject of A Protective Services Assessment, provides additional data about child abuse, neglect and assault trends and conditions in Cumberland County. TABLE ONE: PRIMARY SOURCE OF REPORTS NUMBER OF REPORTS 2006-2007 NUMBER OF REPORTS 2007-2008 Anonymous 383 386 Child Care Provider 36 22 Educational Personnel 729 704 Law Enforcement/Courts 570 1,005 Medical Personnel 299 281 Relative 338 268 Non Relative 322 282 Human Service Organization 961 1,023 Victim 9 8 Parent 138 139 TOTAL 3,785 4,118 18
TABLE TWO: TYPE REPORTED NUMBER OF REPORTS 2006-2007 NUMBER OF REPORTS 2007-2008 Abuse & Neglect 38 38 Abuse 11 6 Neglect 346 156 Dependency 6 6 Services Needed 156 249 Services Provided, No Longer Needed 235 438 Services Recommended 722 1,349 Unsubstantiated 1,116 349 Services Not Recommended 951 1,389 TOTAL 3,581 3,980 TABLE THREE: AGE OF CHILDREN NUMBER OF REPORTS 2006-2007 NUMBER OF REPORTS 2007-2008 0-5 1,848 2,110 6-12 1,188 1,220 13-17 524 629 TOTAL 3,560 3,959 TABLE FOUR: GENDER NUMBER OF REPORTS 2006-2007 NUMBER OF REPORTS 2007-2008 Male 1,827 2,021 Female 1,743 1,956 TOTAL 3,570 3,977 Family and Domestic Violence. Social and demographic data cited in the North Carolina Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission 2007-2008 Domestic Violence Statistics Report, the Abuser Treatment Statistics of April 2006-March 2007 Report and the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2006 Domestic Violence Homicide Report, Domestic Violence Homicides in North Carolina, each provide additional data about domestic violence trends and conditions in Cumberland County. Number of Victim Gender Reports 460 Male - 230 Female-230 AGE UNDER 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ UNKNOWN TOTAL 0 1 177 208 64 7 3 460 SERVICES PROVIDED INFORMATION ADVOCACY REFERRAL TRANSPORTATION COUNSELING HOSPITAL COURT TOTAL 619 783 230 668 833 2 426 3,561 19
Criminal Court April 2006-March 2007 Abuser Treatment Statistics Referrals Civil Court DSS Mental Substance Self Health Abuse Referral Other 85 0 11 0 0 6 5 107 Criminal Court April 2006-March 2007 Abuser Treatment Statistics Accepted Referrals Civil Court DSS Mental Substance Self Health Abuse Referral Other 105 0 8 0 0 5 1 119 April 2006-March 2007 Abuser Treatment Statistics Total # Who Completed Program Total # Terminated From Program 32 81 Domestic Violence Homicides in North Carolina Listed by Top Ten Counties and by Rank 2004-2006 County 2004 2005 2006 Totals Alamance 4 4 3 11 Brunswick 1 2 3 6 Cumberland 1 2 5 8 Forsyth 4 0 3 7 Guilford 3 4 7 14 Johnston 2 4 5 11 Mecklenburg 8 9 6 23 New Hanover 5 1 1 7 Wake 7 5 2 14 Wilson 4 2 0 6 Ranking County Total Domestic Murders Mecklenburg 23 Wake 14 Guilford 14 Alamance 11 Johnston 11 Cumberland 8 Forsyth 7 New Hanover 7 Wilson 6 Brunswick 6 Sexual Assault. Social and demographic data cited in the Crime in North Carolina 2007 Annual Summary Report of Uniform Crime Reporting Data prepared by the North Carolina Department of Justice State Bureau of Investigation provides additional data about sexual assault trends and conditions in Cumberland County/Fayetteville area. # REPORTS YEAR City of Fayetteville Police Department 2006 53 2007 56 Cumberland County Sheriff s Office 2006 20 2007 24 Total Total 20
I.C. EDUCATION: Strengthening Neighborhoods Major issues cited by respondents affecting neighborhoods were: crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood; gang activity and youth crimes within the neighborhood; and illegal drug use and distribution within the neighborhood. Chart ten details percentage of household responses. United Way of Cumberland County s 2008/2009 funding allocated to programs and services impacting these critical issues are detailed in the Table three below. Chart eleven details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that strengthen neighborhoods. Table Three: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for EDUCATION: Strengthening Neighborhoods UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED At-Risk Youth Prevention & Intervention Programs $40,000 523 Find A Friend Program $20,000 173 Youth Development Core Programs $87,000 396 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $147,000 1,092 21
Cumberland County Strengthening Neighborhoods Trends and Current Conditions Crime/Criminal Activity in the Neighborhood. The Fayetteville Observer, June 2009 edition, reported that according to FBI figures, in Cumberland County the number of violent crimes - murder, rape, robbery & serious assault - rose 22.8% in 2008, and property crimes - including burglaries and vehicle thefts - jumped 7%. According to a 2009 Fayetteville Observer analysis, Fayetteville barely surpassed Charlotte with the highest violent crime rate in the state 9.5% per 1,000 residents to Charlotte s rate of 9.3. Among the state s nine most populous cities, Fayetteville had the highest rate of property crimes with 79 per 1,000 people. The average rate among the nine North Carolina cities was 54. Social and demographic data cited in the Crime in North Carolina 2007 Annual Summary Report of Uniform Crime Reporting Data prepared by the North Carolina Department of Justice State Bureau of Investigation, the City of Fayetteville Police Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff s Department provides additional data about the crime index trends and conditions in Cumberland County/Fayetteville area. Violent Crimes YEAR Murder Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Total All Violent Crimes City of Fayetteville Police Department 2006 15 63 511 714 1,303 2007 21 58 499 743 1,321 Cumberland County Sheriff s Office 2006 10 23 94 430 557 2007 8 41 121 443 613 Property Crimes YEAR Burglary Larceny Motor Vehicle Theft Arson Total All Property Crimes City of Fayetteville Police Department 2006 3,518 8,548 1,028 49 13,143 2007 3,571 8,222 828 49 12,670 Cumberland County Sheriff s Office 2006 1,625 2,933 320 35 4,913 2007 1,606 2,993 288 29 4,916 Drug Crimes YEAR Total All Drug Crimes Cumberland County Sheriff s Office 2006 344 2007 269 Cumberland County Youth Crime/Gang Activity. Estimated arrests of persons under age 18 in Cumberland County, North Carolina 2 2005 2006 Total Arrests 1,668 2,055 Violent Crime Index 74 90 Murder 1 3 Forcible rape 12 3 Robbery 10 27 Aggravated assault 51 57 Property Crime Index 455 548 Burglary 138 177 Larceny-theft 286 344 Motor vehicle theft 13 15 Arson 18 12 Non Index Other assaults 431 543 Forgery and counterfeiting 0 1 Fraud 20 31 Embezzlement 1 2 Stolen property 17 23 Vandalism 109 179 Weapons 42 73 Prostitution/commercialized vice 0 1 Sex offenses (other) 4 5 2 Easy Access to FBI Arrest Statistics 1994-2006 22
Drug abuse violations 98 115 Offenses against family 14 20 Driving under influence 16 14 Liquor laws 8 7 Disorderly conduct 87 106 All other offenses 274 274 Runaways 18 23 Population Ages 10 t0 17 39,327 38,457 Social and demographic data cited in the Cumberland Gang Prevention Partnership Youth Gang Crime and Violence Assess Report, December 2006 provides additional data about gang activity trends and conditions in Cumberland County/Fayetteville area. Figure 1 depicts Disciplinary Referral Data for Cumberland County Schools through November, 2006. In consideration of where the gang suspensions are occurring with the most frequency, Figure 2 shows the Number of Disciplinary Referrals for Gang Activity from Individual Schools in the current year. 23
Figure 3, shows the gang related school incidents reported by School Resource Officers during the 05-06 School Year. School # of Gang Related Offenses Cape Fear High 7 Douglas Byrd High 2 EE Smith High 2 Grays Creek High 1 Seventy-First High 10 South View High 5 Westover High 5 Anne Chesnutt Middle 1 Douglas Byrd Middle 1 Hope Mills Middle 1 Ireland Drive Middle 2 John Griffin Middle 5 Lewis Chapel Middle 8 Max Abbott Middle 1 Mac Williams Middle 1 Luther Nick Jeralds Middle 1 Pine Forest Middle 3 Reid Ross Middle 4 Spring Lake Middle 2 Westover Middle 2 Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary 3 Raleigh Road Elementary 1 Ramsey Street Alternative Middle/High 11 Walker Spivey Alternative 14 Total Gang Related Incidents on School Campuses FY 2005-2006 94 Figure 4 depicts the percentage of crimes committed by gang affiliations and Figure 5 depicts percentage of youth gang affiliations according to law enforcement data Cumberland Gang Prevention Partnership Youth Gang Crime and Violence Assess Report, December 2006. According to the data, the Crips/Folk Nation gang members are responsible for the majority of the crimes included in the sampling of their assessment. Figure 4: Percentage of Gang Crimes Figure 5: Percentage of Youth Gang Memberships 24
II.A. INCOME: Basic and Emergency Needs/Financial Stability Basic needs are defined as shelter, food and clothing. Homelessness is a major issue indicated by responses from household surveys, focus groups and key informants. The major basic needs issues cited by household respondents were: emergency assistance for utilities, heating and cooling expenses, food, and clothing; shortage of affordable housing; unemployment; and shortage of jobs that pay enough money to cover basic financial needs. Table four details United Way of Cumberland County s 2008/2009 funding allocated to programs and services impacting these critical issues. Chart twelve details percentage of household responses to basic needs issues. Chart thirteen details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that strengthen families. Table Four: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for INCOME: Basic & Emergency Needs UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED Direct (Prescription Assistance) Aid $61,000 1,530 Disaster Services $57,500 505 Emergency Financial Assistance $35,000 12,310 Habitat Affordable Housing $20,000 16 Temporary Homeless Shelter $46,000 1,102 Love Lunch Daily Feeding Program $12,000 35,903 Nehemiah Emergency Home Repair Program $20,000 115 Services to Military Families (Armed Forces Emergency Services) $32,500 2,675 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $284,000 54,156 25
Cumberland County Basic & Emergency Needs Trends and Current Conditions (Employment, Income, Poverty) Poverty. Social and demographic data provide additional information about poverty trends and conditions in Cumberland County. According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey: Poverty Status Profile 3-year Estimates of the U.S. Census Bureau of the following was cited. Fifty-two thousand, 18% of people in Cumberland County live in poverty. 25% of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 10% of people 65 years old and over. 15% of all families and 40% of families with a female head of household and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level. There are 81,281 families living below the poverty level in Cumberland County. Of these, there are 22,017 families with a female head of household (with no husband present) and there are 51,967 individuals living in poverty. There are 45,195 White families; 29,725 Black or African American families; 1,125 American Indian and Alaska Native families; 1,941 Bi-Racial families; and 3,981 Hispanic or Latino families in Cumberland County living at or below poverty. Employment and income are major issues to Cumberland County residents and community leaders. Job losses experienced over the last years make layoffs an important issue for all. Social and demographic data provide additional information about employment, income trends and conditions in Cumberland County. According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates: The median income of households in Cumberland County is $42,036. 83% of the households received earnings and 24% received retirement income other than Social Security. 23% of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,160. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source. The total population 16 years and older in Cumberland County is 229,091. Of that number 50.5% are employed. In 2005-2007 the median earnings for management, professional, and related occupations-$51,505; for professional and related occupations-$50,000; for healthcare practitioner and technical occupations-$68,445; for service occupations-$19,316; for protective service occupations-$36,523; for sales and office occupations- $29,146; for construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations-$29,753; and for production, transportation and material moving occupations-$31,727. Cumberland County Labor Statistics 3 YEAR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE NUMBER UNEMPLOYED NUMBER EMPLOYED LABOR FORCE 2008 6.3 8,311 124,338 132,649 2007 5.3 6,876 122,360 129,236 3 MelissaData: http://www.melissadata.com/lookups 26
Cumberland County Housing Trends and Current Conditions Social and demographic data cited in the 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates provide additional data about housing trends and conditions in Cumberland County. HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: From 2005-2007, Cumberland County had a total of 132,000 housing units, 11% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 69% were in single-unit structures, 17 % were in multi-unit structures and 13% were mobile homes. Thirty-three percent of the housing units were built since 1990. OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: From 2005-2007, Cumberland County had 118,000 occupied housing units 69,000 (58%) owner occupied and 49,000 42% renter occupied. 6% of the households did not have telephone service and 7% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi-vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-nine percent had two vehicles and another 20 percent had three or more. HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgage owners was $1,119, nonmortgage owners $358, and renters $737. 33% of owners with mortgages, 14% of owners without mortgages, and 46% of renters in Cumberland County spent 30% or more of household income on housing. Cumberland County Homelessness Trends and Current Conditions According to The Department of Housing & Urban Development s Definition (HUD) of Homelessness a person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below: In places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street). In an emergency shelter. In transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters. In any of the above places but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive days) in a hospital or other institution. Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and no subsequent residence has been identified and lacks resources and support networks needed to obtain housing. Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing. Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and no subsequent residence has been identified and lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing. The following chart indicates the percentage of homelessness causes in Cumberland County. The results are from the 2008 Cumberland County Continuum of Care Council on Homelessness. 27
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The Table below lists the results from the 2008 Cumberland County Continuum of Care Planning Council s Annual Point in Time Homeless Count and Homeless Survey held on January 31, 2008 throughout the City of Fayetteville and the County of Cumberland North Carolina. 2008 Cumberland County Continuum of Care Homeless Point in Time Count Results Households with Dependent Emergency Transitional Unsheltered Total Children Shelter Housing Total Number of Households with Dependent Children 9 29 76 114 # of Men 1 2 9 12 # of Women 9 29 76 114 # of Children 15 116 211 342 Total Persons in Households with Dependent Children 25 147 296 468 Households without Dependent Children (includes singles, couples without children, unaccompanied youth) Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Unsheltered Total Total Number of Households without Dependent Children 79 15 512 606 # of Men 49 5 448 502 #of Women 30 10 64 104 Total Persons in Households without Dependent Children 79 15 512 606 Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Unsheltered Total Total Number of People Experiencing Homelessness (includes all households with or without Dependent children) 104 162 808 1,074 SUB POPULATIONS Chronic Homelessness only persons in Emergency Shelter. Must be single, homeless at least 1 year or 4 episodes in 3 years and not living in Transitional Housing. Seriously Mentally Ill All Homeless (diagnosable by Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Unsheltered 14 101 Total 16 7 33 56 mental health professional.) Diagnosable Substance Use Disorder All Homeless 27 25 284 336 Veterans All Homeless 2 1 92 95 HIV/AIDS All Homeless 0 3 0 3 Victims of Domestic Violence All Homeless 8 29 41 78 Unaccompanied Youth All Homeless 0 0 6 6 Of the persons Unsheltered, how many were known to be discharged from the following systems within 30 days prior to becoming homeless. Criminal Justice System (jails, prisons) 49 Behavioral Health System (mental health hospitals or substance abuse treatment programs) Health Care System (hospitals) 8 23 29
II.B. INCOME: Independence in the Elderly & Persons with Disabilities 48% of household respondents indicated neglect and assault on older adults as a major issue in Cumberland County. Table five details United Way of Cumberland County s 2008/2009 funding allocated to programs and services impacting these critical issues. Chart fourteen details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that address older adults and disabled issues. Table Five: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for INCOME: Elderly and Disabled Programs UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED Adult Literacy Program $25,000 74 Adult Sitter Safety Program $6,000 33 Community Center Senior Program $10,000 75 Cultural Arts, Crafts, & Dance for the Visually Impaired $10,000 68 Elderly Nutrition Program $12,000 481 Gift of Sight Program $20,000 69 Healthy Living Skills for the Visually Impaired $20,000 68 Home Repair Program for the Elderly & Disabled $41,000 384 Information & Referral Program for the Elderly & Disabled $8,500 608 In-Home Aide Service $7,500 68 Radio Reading Service for the Blind & Print Impaired $10,000 824 Senior Volunteer Program $21,000 501 Senior Wellness Aquatic Training Program $18,000 105 Telephone Reassurance Program for the Elderly $4,000 132 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $213,000 3,490 Cumberland County Elderly & Disabled Trends and Current Conditions Social and demographic data provide additional information about elderly and disabled trends and conditions in Cumberland County. According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-year Estimates of the U.S. Census Bureau of the following was cited. Of the 255,229 residents 5 years of age and older 80% are without any disability; 8.6% are with one type of disability; and 10.9% are with two or more types of disabilities. There are 25,907 Cumberland County residents 65 years of age and older. Of that number 47.8% have at least one disability; 17.2% have a sensory disability; 39.7% have a physical disability; 15.3% have a mental disability; 3.6% have a self-care disability; and 21.2% have a disability that limits there ability to go outside the home. 30
III. HEALTH: Advocating Health and Healing Major issues cited by household respondents regarding health and healing issues were: affordable medical, dental and mental healthcare; prescription assistance; affordable long-term medical facilities; affordable wellness and fitness programs; and programs that promote healthy choices and prevention of obesity in children and adults. United Way of Cumberland County s 2008/2009 funding allocated to programs and services impacting these critical issues are detailed in the Table six below. Chart fifteen details percentage of household responses. Chart sixteen details the amount of 2008/2009 funds each partner agency receives through private/philanthropic contributions, local government, state government and federal government to support programs that strengthen families. Table Six: 2008/2009 UWCC Allocated Resources for Health & Healing Programs UWCC PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM 2008/2009 UWCC ALLOCATION 2008/2009 NUMBER SERVED Family, Marital & Youth Counseling Services $25,000 1,532 Diabetic Management Services $76,000 143 Health & Safety Programs $30,000 8,916 Health Information & Referral Service $4,000 1,214 Medical Equipment Loan Closet $4,000 190 Supervised Living for Adult Recovering Substance Abusers $20,000 69 TOTAL UNITED WAY ALLOCATED RESOURCES $159,000 12,064 31
Cumberland County Health Trends and Current Conditions Cumberland County Mortality Infant Mortality (2003-2007) per 1,000 Live Births Infant mortality (deaths per 1,000 Live Births) is the death of a born child before one year of age. The infant mortality rate of a community paints a vivid picture of the general health and well being of that community. Contributing factors to infant mortality are preterm births, low birth weight, late access to care, poverty, and tobacco/alcohol and drug use. o The County s total fetal, neonatal, post neonatal and infant death rates were higher than the State. o The County s total fetal death rate 8.2 was slightly higher than the State rate 6.8. o The minority fetal death rate was higher than White in both the County and State. o The County s total neonatal death rate 7.9 was higher than the State rate 5.8. o Neonatal death rates were higher in minorities for both the County and the State. The neonatal death rate for whites in the County was 5.1 compared to 12.1 minorities in the County. Fetal, Neonatal, Post Neonatal & Infant Death Rates 2003-2007 (Per 1,000 Live Births) Cases Rates Totals Cumberland County North Carolina Cumberland County North Carolina Cumberland County North Carolina Indicators White Minority White Minority White Minority White Minority # & Rate # & Rate Fetal Deaths 89 136 2,266 1,987 5.5 12.1 5.0 11.5 225 Rate 8.2 Neonatal Deaths 82 134 1,871 1,726 5.1 12.1 4.2 10.1 216 (<28 days) Rate 7.9 Post Neonatal Deaths (28 days 1 yr) 34 49 902 731 2.1 4.5 2.0 4.3 83 Rate 3.1 4,253 Rate 6.8 3,600 Rate 5.8 1,634 Rate 2.7 Infant Deaths (<1 year) 116 183 2,773 2,457 7.2 16.5 6.2 14.4 299 Rate 11.0 5,234 Rate 8.4 Five Leading Cause of Death in Cumberland County (2003-2007) per 100,000 Population: In the last five years, 2003-2007, the five leading causes of death for Cumberland County is Heart Disease, Cancer, Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke), and Diabetes; accounting for approximately 64% of all deaths in Cumberland County. Heart Disease was the leading cause of death in Cumberland County, with 2,427 deaths. Risk factors were elevated blood cholesterol, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, overweight/obesity, physical in-activity, high fat diet, high sodium in-take and tobacco use. o The County s heart disease death rate of 241.3 was substantially higher than the State rate of 210.7. o Males in the County and State heart disease death rates were higher than females in the County and State. o o Minorities in the County and State heart disease death rates were higher than minorities in the State. Minority male heart disease death rates were higher than minority female heart disease death rates in the County and State. The second leading cause of death in Cumberland County was Cancer, which resulted in 2,269 deaths. Lung/bronchus, colon, female breast, pancreas, and prostate were the most common sites. o The County s cancer death rate of 204.2 was slightly higher than the State rate of 197.4. o Cancer death rates were significantly higher in males in the County and State than in females in the County and State. o White cancer death rates were slightly higher than minority cancer death rates in the County. o o Minorities cancer death rates were higher than white cancer death rates in the State. Minority male cancer death rates were much higher than minority females cancer death rates in the County and State. 32
Chronic lower respiratory disease is the third leading cause of death in Cumberland County, accounting for 575 deaths. The County had a significantly higher chronic lower respiratory disease rate of 57.5 compared with the State rate of 47.5. o Males in the County and State had a much higher death rate from chronic lower respiratory disease than females in the County and State. o Whites in the County and State had a much higher death rate from chronic lower respiratory disease than minorities in the County and State. The fourth leading cause of death in Cumberland County was Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) with 541 deaths. Stroke is one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability. o The County s stroke death rate of 54.6 was slightly lower than the State rate of 57.6. o The County s female stroke death rate of 110.4 was slightly higher than the County s male stroke death rate of 112.2. o o There was great disparity in stroke death rates between whites and minorities in the County and State. The County s minority female stroke death rate of 64.4 was higher than the County s minority male stroke death rate of 60.3. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Cumberland County, accounting for 437 deaths. The County s diabetes death rate of 41.0 was much higher than the State rate of 26.4. o Males in the County and State had a higher death rate from diabetes than females in the County and State. o Minorities in the County and State had a significantly higher death rate due to diabetes than whites in the County and State. o There was great disparity in diabetes death rates between whites and minorities in the County and State. o Diabetes is a major cause of death and disability in Cumberland County and the State. Diabetes is also a main contributor to the other causes of death, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Diabetes is the leading cause for blindness and non-traumatic amputation. Cumberland County Leading Causes of Mortality (2003-2007) per 100,000 Population White Male Deaths White Male Rate White Female Deaths White Female Rate Minority Male Deaths Minority Male Rate Minority Female Deaths Minority Female Rate Overall Overall Cause of Death: Deaths Rate Diseases of Heart 826 311.5 738 193.1 404 270.4 459 206.7 2,427 241.3 Cancer 753 258.4 690 171.0 397 252.7 429 173.5 2,269 204.1 Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases 211 82.9 241 61.1 74 57.2 49 21.8 575 57.5 Cerebrovascular (Stroke) Disease 126 51.9 175 46.0 99 60.3 141 64.4 541 54.6 Diabetes Mellitus 114 40.3 98 24.8 90 59.0 135 59.7 437 41.0 The following data cites the five leading causes of death for Cumberland County residents by age for 2003-2007 (per 100,000 population). Cumberland County residents 00-19 years of age. Five leading causes of death are: conditions originating in the prenatal period (178 deaths); motor vehicle injuries is second (47 deaths); a congenital abnormality (birth defects) (45 deaths) is third; SIDS (30 deaths) is fourth; and other unintentional injuries (24 deaths) are fifth. The leading cause of death for Cumberland County residents 20-39 years of age is motor vehicle injuries (134 deaths). Suicide (86 deaths) is second; homicide (70 deaths) is third; other unintentional injuries (65 deaths) are fourth; and cancer-all sites (60 deaths) are fifth. The leading cause of death for Cumberland County residents 40-64 years of age is cancer-all sites (840 deaths). Heart disease (627 deaths) is second; Cerebrovascular (stroke) disease (132 deaths) is third; diabetes mellitus is fourth (126 deaths); and other unintentional injuries (107 deaths) are fifth. The leading cause of death for Cumberland County residents 65-84 years of age is cancer-all sites (1,184 deaths). Heart disease (1,158 deaths) is second; chronic lower respiratory diseases (370 deaths) are third; Cerebrovascular disease (258 deaths) is fourth; and diabetes mellitus (242 deaths) is fifth. The leading cause of death for Cumberland County residents 85+ years of age is diseases of the heart (586 deaths). Cancer-all sites (178 deaths) are second; Cerebrovascular disease (135 deaths) is third; chronic lower respiratory diseases (98 deaths) are fourth; Alzheimer s disease (88 deaths) is fifth. 33
Health Insurance In 2004, 18.6% or 52,482 of the Cumberland County population ages 0-64 years were uninsured, ranking the county 35 th in the state. 11.5% or 10,494 of the county population ages 0-17 years were uninsured, ranking the county 25 th in the state and 22.0% or 41,988 of the county s population ages 18-64 years were uninsured, ranking the county 47 th in the state. According to the 2005 Behavior Risk factor Surveillance System: 16.9% of 455 adult Cumberland County respondents had no current health insurance and 29.7% of 456 adult respondents did not have a personal doctor. In 2005, Cumberland County had 57,442 individuals eligible for Medicaid. The county s total expenditures were $221,582,195, spending $3,857 per eligible individual. The county s per capita expenditure was $713.00, ranking the county 88 th in the State. The county had 185 eligible individuals per 1,000 population and 18.48% of individuals were eligible for Medicaid based on the county s population in 2004. 71.5% of Cumberland County Medicaid eligible children birth to 21 years of age received health check preventive services compared to 69.7% of State Medicaid eligible children birth to 21 years of age who received health check preventive services. 68.2% of Cumberland County infants that were served in the child health clinic received Women Infant and Children program services compared to 87.4% of State infants that were served in the child health clinic that received Women Infant and Children program services. Cumberland County Mental Health Services A review of the Cumberland Local Management Entity (Mental Health Center) data shows total mental health admissions for 2006-2007 was 976 individuals, while similar data for 2007-2008 indicates a slight decrease in admissions to a total of 936 individuals. A review of the data indicates that while admissions did slightly decrease, more individuals remained in services demonstrating an overall increase in services provided. Active caseload as of July, 2006 was 5,801 individuals and increased to reflect an active caseload as of July 2007 of 6,082 individuals. Unduplicated Number of Persons Served by Age/Disability Total persons served, all ages and disabilities (2006-2007): 8,801 Total persons served, all ages and disabilities (2007-2008): 8,907 Cumberland LME Mentally Ill Developmental Disabilities Substance Abuse Total Adult Child Total Adult Child Total Adult Child Persons Served Persons Served Persons Served 2006-6007 6,141 4,102 2,039 631 415 216 2,038 1,977 61 2007-2008 6,676 4,454 2,222 717 489 228 1,514 1,426 88 NOTE: Cumberland County served more persons in 2007-2008 in all ages and disabilities other than adult substance abuse, where there was a substantial decrease. 34
KEY INFORMANT RESULTS Key informants are in a unique position to observe and comment on the state of the community safety net. These are individuals, government officials and leaders of social service organizations, who see people in need every day and work with staff that interacts with a large, diverse cross section of the Cumberland County population. The survey was sent to 600 Cumberland County leaders with 159 of them turning in completed surveys. The questions put to the key informants were similar to those found in the household survey. There were differences in the ranking of issues between household respondents and the key informants and there were many areas of commonality. The following graphs illustrate those community issues considered as major by the key informants. Graph 1: Gang Activity & Youth Crime Within the Neighborhood Graph 2: Lack of Affordable Medical, Dental and Mental Health Care Graph 3: Literacy (Reading Below Grade Level / End of Grade Testing) 35
Graph 4: Lack of Affordable Medical, Dental and Mental Health Care Graph 5: Family Violence, Abuse of Children or Adults Graph 6: Shortage of Temporatay and Transitional Family Shelters 36
Chart 7: Crime and/or Criminal Activity Chart 8: Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse Chart 9: Teen Pregnancy Prevention & Intervention 37
Chart 10: Unemployment or Underemployment Chart 11: Emergency Assistance for Basic Needs Chart 12: Homelessness 38
Chart 13: Services to Reduce High School Dropouts Chart 14: Inadequate Public Transportation Another part of the Key Informant Survey asked them to rank the top three issues of concern. The top three community challenges and issues that key informants indicated were: crime, gang activity, and family violence/abuse of children or adults. 39
Donor Survey Results Household surveys were randolmy mailed to 1,000 United Way of Cumberland County Donors, using the same stratified random sampling as our community household surveys. The following charts illustrate major issues cited from donor responses. EDUCATION: Strengthening Children, Youth, and Families EDUCATION: Supporting and Strengthening Our Neighborhoods EDUCATION: Recreational, Cultural and Community Involvement 40
INCOME: Strengthening Basic Needs and Financial Stability Unemployment was the only major issue cited by donors in regards to strengthening basic needs and financial stability. The following chart illustrates those reponses. HEALTH: Advocating Health and Healing Affordable medical, dental and health care were the major issues cited by donors in regards to advocating health and healing. The following chart illustrates those responses. 41
Community Focus Group Results Community Focus Groups were held at all of the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Centers. Two meetings were held at the Fort Bragg Nijmegen Neighborhood Center. The household surveys were completed by each of the attending participants. The following charts illustrate their responses. EDUCATION: Strengthening Children, Youth and Families EDUCATION: Supporting & Strengthening Our Neighborhoods 42
INCOME: Strengthening Basic Needs and Financial Stability HEALTH: Advocating Health and Healing Affordable medical, dental and health care were themajor issues cited by donors in regards to advocating health and healing. The following chart illustrates those responses. 43
Community Strengths Successful communities are those that have the ability to recognize problems and then come together to solve them. The following charts based upon responses from our key informants demonstrate Cumberland County s community strengths. Cumberland County is a community that actively promotes positive relations among people from all races, genders, ages and cultures. Cumberland County is a community where association in neighborhoods from various parts of the community share strategies and work together. Cumberland County is a community where leaders from all sectors of the community share common goals and uphold a common vision for the community. 44
Cumberland County is a great place to live. Respondents were asked about their inclination to volunteer and where they direct their volunteer activities. More than 40% of the respondents indicated that they do volunteer work in their community. Religious organizations, school groups and activities through their employment are the most frequent sites for volunteerism. The majority of respondents indicated that they know how to get involved within their neighborhoods. This is key community strength and one that should be maximized to bring improvements to neighborhoods with identified issues. The following charts indicate responses. 45
Six top issues emerged from all survey groups. These issues were identified as major concerns for the respondents: Teen pregnancy prevention & intervention SUMMARY Gang activity and youth crimes within the neighborhood Literacy (reading below grade level and end of grade testing) Family and domestic violence Crime and/or criminal activities in the neighborhood Illegal drug use and distribution within the neighborhood Respondents ranked the following as top community issues: Unemployment and/or underemployment-shortage of jobs that pay enough money to cover basic financial needswere major issues for household, key informants and UWCC Donor respondents. Emergency assistance was a major issue for household, key informants and community focus group respondents. Overcrowded classrooms and unsafe schools; abused, neglected, and assault on children; lack of job training opportunities; and lack of affordable medical, dental and mental health care were major issues for household, UWCC Donors, and community focus group respondents. Prescription medication assistance was a major issue for household survey respondents. Poverty and inadequate public transportation were major issues for key informant respondents. Shortage of temporary and transitional family shelters was major issues for key informants and community focus group respondents. Services to reduce high school dropout rates were major issues for key informants, UWCC Donors, and community focus group respondents. Sexual assault was a major issue for UWCC Donors and community focus group respondents. Adequate and affordable recreation facilities, community involvement and volunteer opportunities, affordable cultural attractions and activities were a major issue for UWCC Donor respondents. Abuse, neglect and assault on elderly; homeownership, mortgage/rental assistance; affordable counseling for children, youth and families; parental support programs; and assistance with financial management were major issues for community focus group respondents. 46
CONCLUSION All of the charts presented in this report represent community issues that the respondents felt strongly about. The challenge facing Cumberland County is not a unique one how to address the variety of issues presented here in the face of limited funding and budget cuts. Faced with declining campaign growth reflecting the area s economy, United Way volunteers must prioritize the social service issues facing the community and then determine the best use of United Way funds to address those priority needs. United Way volunteers will use this report to determine the best way to use resources and to implement the community impact agenda of advancing the common good. It is hoped that government and other community organizations will use this assessment to further their missions of assisting the community. United Way of Cumberland County is evolving from simply an organization that funds certain agencies, into an organization that funds programs and services that have a measurable impact on issues affecting Cumberland County. United Way is evolving into an organization that convenes and mobilizes volunteers and resources around critical social service issues. ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD. Advancing the common good is what United Way does: creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the building blocks of a good life a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and lifelong health. We use the building blocks of Education, Income and Health to achieve a good life. EDUCATION: STRENGTHENING CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES, & NEIGHBORHOODS Improving access to quality, affordable child care and early learning opportunities Partnering with schools and parents to improve graduation rates Providing after-school and mentoring programs for at-risk youth INCOME: SUPPORTING BASIC NEEDS, FINANCIAL STABILITY, & INDEPENDENCE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Supporting basic needs while increasing financial education Helping hardworking people obtain job training and family-sustaining wages Increasing affordable housing for seniors and families HEALTH: ADVOCATING FOR HEALTH & HEALING Increasing access to critical healthcare services Reducing substance abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence Increasing health education and preventive care for all people of all ages 47
SOURCES OF INFORMATION 1. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: Population and Housing Narrative Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: School Enrollment Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: Educational Attainment Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 4. NC Division of Public Health State Center for Health Statistics. Pregnancy Rates per 1,000 Population for Girls Ages 15-17, by Race, by County, 2003-2007. www.schs.state.nc.us/data/databook 5. North Carolina Education Report. 2008 North Carolina Network of Grantmakers. 6. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services. www.ncdhhs.gov/dss 7. NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2007-2008 Domestic Violence Statistics Report. www.nccadv.org 8. Cumberland County Sheriff s Department. www.ccsonc.org 9. City of Fayetteville Police Department. www.police.ci.fayetteville.nc.us/2007 crimestats.aspx 10. Crime in North Carolina 2007 Annual Summary Report by Uniform Crime Reporting Data. 11. North Carolina Department of Justice State Bureau of Investigation June 2008 Report. www.ncdoj.gov 12. North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org 13. Cumberland Gang Prevention Partnership Youth Gang Crime and Violence Assessment Report December 2006 14. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: Poverty Status Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 15. U. S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: Employment Status Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 16. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey. American Fact Finder: Population and Housing Narrative Profile. www.factfinder.census.gov 17. Cumberland County Continuum of Care Council on Homelessness 2008 Point in Time (PiT) Count & Homeless Experience Survey Summary 18. Cumberland County Department of Public Health 2006 Community Health Assessment www.co.cumberland.nc.us 19. North Carolina Division of Public Health State Center for Health Statistics. Fetal, Neonatal, Post Neonatal, Infant Death Rates per 1000 Deliveries, 2003-2007. www.schs.state.nc.us/data/databook 20. North Carolina Division of Public Health State Center for Health Statistics. Death Counts per 100,000 Population for Leading Causes of Death Rates by County, Race, and Sex. www.schs.state.nc.us/data/databook 21. Cumberland County Mental Health: Cumberland Local Management Entity Community Assessment of Service Needs, Service Gaps & Provider Capacity, March 2009. 48
United Way of Cumberland County 222 Maiden Lane Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: 910 483 1179 Fax: 910 483 5913 www.unitedway cc.org 49