Community Needs Assessment
Executive Summary
As part of an ongoing assessment of community needs, Delta Community Action Association, Inc. (Delta CAA) engaged in a comprehensive process of interviews, focus groups, surveys, data gathering and analysis to identify the root causes and conditions of poverty in Madison and Richland Parishes. Also, we reviewed secondary service area needs in: East Carroll, West Carroll, Franklin, and Tensas Parishes.
The following list of community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, private sector, public and educational institutions which Delta CAA consulted, gathered and utilized relevant information to address any significant changes or updates in the Community Needs Assessment (CNA):
|
Agency/Organization |
Sector |
Resources |
| U. S. Census | Public | US Census QuickFacts Report |
| Louisiana Workforce Commission | Public | Louisiana Labor Force Report |
| Madison Council on Aging | Community-Based | Service Data |
| Richland Council on Aging | Community-Based | Service Data |
| Madison and Richland School Boards | Public | Enrollment Data |
| Ministerial Alliance | Faith-Based | Service Data |
While the priority of each specific need may vary by location, the primary needs of Employment, Childcare, Housing, Income, Transportation, Crime, Substance Abuse/Addiction and Health/Mental Health, and Community Resources were identified by a broad cross-section of community organizations and partners, the general public, Delta CAA consumers, staff and Board of Directors.
The “typical” person served by Delta CAA is fairly representative of the citizens living in our service area, with the exception of race. But, like the community at-large, the majority of participants served by Delta CAA are in the workforce or senior citizens struggling to meet their household needs.
Delta CAA service area is higher than state or national average in unemployment and poverty and has a high amount of cost-burdened homeowners and renters. In addition, access to transportation is a significant issue, with low usage of section 18/rural public transportation and in the case of Madison Parish; average work commute times are higher than regional, state and national averages.
Lack of income makes meeting household needs, accessing transportation and childcare, affording safe housing and treating mental health and Substance Abuse/Addiction issues more difficult. The assessment also identifies some communities in the service area, including Delhi, Epps, Lake Providence, Rayville and Tallulah, with indicators of additional challenges that may relate to poverty and low average household income rates, and in the case of Tallulah, low average wage and education rates.
At the most basic level, the best way to increase household income is through employment. However, low-income families in the service area lack career paths. Instead, the focus is on getting someone a job, but the ongoing support to allow for an improvement in that job is missing.
Recommendations for combating the causes and conditions of poverty include prioritizing support to career pathways; integrating direct services with community development; and focusing on priority areas including Delhi, Lake Providence, Rayville, Tallulah. All areas are showing indicators of other challenges faced by low-income families. In addition, understanding affordable housing options and gaps more clearly, and understanding the unique challenges faced by families with cultural and/or language differences are identified needs that require further study.
This assessment process will inform Community Action’s next strategic plan and annual work plan, and will continue to be updated, evaluated and assessed. A copy of the community Assessment was provided to stakeholders.