Conclusions & Actions

Across the board, access to healthcare and health insurance emerged as a top concern for residents of Union and Snyder counties. We view this concern as specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also believe that it will remain a priority for the next several months to years as our community continues to wrestle with the consequences of the global health crisis. In response to this concern, CAA

staff will be trained and educated on the various health assistance programs that could be a viable option for their

customers to pursue. CAA will also convene with identified health and wellness providers to discuss creative solutions for collaboration to begin filling the gap for residents with low income who have limited healthcare options.

Another frequently mentioned theme that emerged within our local data collection that has connection to nation-wide events taking place in 2020 was racial discrimination. CAA will remain in

partnership with the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way by supporting and assigning select staff members to regularly participate in its Diversity & Inclusion Impact Council to connect with community members and local agencies dedicated to reducing racial discrimination in our

region. Additionally, all CAA staff will participate in continued racial bias trainings to better support our diverse customer base.

Consistent with findings in CAA’s 2016/2017 Community Needs Assessment process, community members communicated a top priority of ensuring overall child wellbeing and, specifically, children’s success in school. CAA staff will continue to participate in the area’s Children’s Roundtable, organized by Union and Snyder County Children & Youth agencies. Additionally, CAA’s Director participates on SUMMIT Early Learning’s Board of Directors, and SUMMIT’s Director serves on CAA’s Board.

CAA will seek opportunities for creative collaboration with SUMMIT and area school districts to ensure child wellbeing and success, in addition to continuing to offer parenting support through our self-sufficiency programs.

While CAA doesn’t specifically offer programs supporting mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment, we participate in conversations and planning sessions with key providers through the work

Conclusions & Actions Cont.

of the Snyder/Union Opioid Coalition. We do, however, offer programs that directly support people’s success in employment. This Needs Assessment process has further drawn emphasis to the need for mental health and substance abuse support to empower people to experience long-term employment at good-paying jobs. CAA will re-evaluate its

employment skills curriculum to emphasize basic life skills as well as action steps towards achieving positive mental health, including treatment, with the end goal of long-term employment in mind.

Additionally, CAA will strategize conversations with local employers to increase understanding of employing people with interpersonal barriers and act as a supportive agent between employee and employer to ensure employment success.

Housing remains a consistent barrier for Union and Snyder county residents seeking self-sufficiency. Between a significant lack of shelter space in the community, and minimal options for affordable rental units, vulnerable families are at risk of experiencing homelessness at any given time. CAA’s current housing programs offer Rapid Rehousing for families experiencing homelessness as well as rental and utility assistance to prevent eviction. Additionally, CAA convenes local housing providers and landlords in a regular Local Housing Options Team (LHOT) meeting forum to discuss housing needs and solutions. Still, more must be done. CAA will

re-evaluate its approach to delivering housing assistance programs to ensure a full-person approach to achieving

self-sufficiency and long-term success. CAA will also further engage landlords and tenants in conversations around responsible renting as well as explore successful landlord mitigation programs to institute a similar model for encouraging a more equitable low-income housing system.

Another consistent issue in our region is access to transportation. Without a public transit system, residents have difficulty getting to important appointments, employment, school, etc. CAA will explore

diversified funding streams to better support more people with general transportation assistance, which includes

car repairs, purchases, and gas. Until a public transit system is put in place, we believe that a key to self-sufficiency is getting people into cars without incurring further financial burdens.

Conclusions & Actions Cont.

In analyzing the results produced from the three phases of this Community Needs Assessment, the Committee identified the need to continue the Asset Mapping project to include Mapping Recommendations. CAA will organize a

subcommittee to complete a Mapping Recommendation subreport to highlight gaps in specific areas of the counties and inspire collaboration to fulfill unmet needs.

For now, the Committee has identified five example regional recommendations, inspired by the data collected through this Assessment process:

1. Regional transportation solution(s) must take priority. This can include a public transit system and/or a ride share program that is accessible to any family in need (e.g. reduced eligibility criteria). Both Uber and Lyft models have been researched, but seems unattainable due to the rural nature of our region. Without attainable transportation solutions, residents without transportation face a significant barrier to accessing resources, especially those located in Western parts of the counties and far from Eastern resource hubs. 2. More resources need to be implemented to better support homeless Union and Snyder individuals and families. The entire Union/Snyder region only hosts one shelter for women and children in Middleburg (Western Snyder County). Agencies are tasked with finding fast affordable housing or paying for hotel stays until a unit becomes available; this is both a stress on our local housing market as well as a financially unsustainable solution for the limited housing resources that currently exist. The Local Housing Options Team (LHOT), led by CAA, is currently working with key groups and individuals to identify sustainable practices and inspire collaboration.

3. As demonstrated in the Asset Mapping project, there are ample food resources in both Union and Snyder counties; however, approximately 8,000 residents are currently food insecure, with an expected 5% increase as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. A coordinated effort among these food distribution programs is needed to ensure that food is accessible to every resident. At the time of this report, CAA is in the implementation phase of building the region’s

Conclusions & Actions Cont.

first Hunger Coalition to inspire collaboration and reduce duplication of food efforts. This also includes the establishment of the first Union County Food Hub in partnership with the Lewisburg YMCA at The Miller Center - powered by Evangelical and Geisinger.

4. The opioid epidemic is affecting families across Union and Snyder counties, with limited drug treatment programs in the region. There must be a more concentrated effort on supporting individuals living with substance use disorder in our region. The Union and Snyder Opioid Coalitions, led by the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, is currently working with key groups and individuals to identify sustainable resources.

5. Childcare resources in the region are both limited and financially unsustainable for families living with low income. SUMMIT Early Learning is the lead innovator in early childhood programming for both Union and Snyder counties. More independent and/or collaborative efforts must be made in making childcare more accessible for families.

CAA and members on its Community Needs Assessment Committee acknowledge the critical nature of forming regional recommendations in partnership with local leadership, agency representatives, and clients. We look forward to the implementation of this Mapping Recommendation project and hope that, like this Community Needs Assessment report, it will serve as a tool for various aspects of equity work being done in Union and Snyder counties.

ALLENWOOD

NEW COLUMBIA

LAURELTON MAZEPPA

VICKSBURG

MIFFLINBURG

NEW BERLIN

PENNS CREEK

KRAZTERVILLE LEWISBURG

WINFIELD

SHAMOKIN DAM

MIDDLEBURG SELINSGROVE

BEAVER SPRINGS

MCCLURE MT. PLEASANT MILLS HERNDON