News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency wants your input as to the community’s needs.
The UCHRA Community Needs Assessment focuses on the strengths, needs and gaps in services across the Upper Cumberland. Community Services Assistant Director Megan Spurgeon said the results are used for the Community Services Block Grant. The CSBG program provides funds for specific needs.
“Something unique about the CSBG is that we can tailor our programs to meet the needs of our communities, and if we do not know what the needs are and do not get the input from our communities, we will not be able to tailor our programs,” Spurgeon said.
Spurgeon said so far, the two biggest needs are high wage jobs and drug use. The assessment will be available online until the end of July.
“We have to complete a community action plan and community needs assessment on a yearly basis,” Spurgeon said. “But every three years is our big year to reassess what we have been doing and implement new ideas and programs. We are on our third year this year.”
The survey lists nine questions to determine what community members see as the biggest needs within the community that have unmet needs that UCHRA could assist with. The survey also provides an opportunity for respondents to provide additional information.
“In addition to the surveys and assessments we have online, we are also welcoming individuals to reach out to us if they are interested in doing one on one conversations to get their information out down to get more information for the needs in our communities,” Spurgeon said.
The survey is available to be completed online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/UCCommunityNeedsAssessment2020.
