ABOUT UNITED WAY
What We Do: Needs Assessment
Every five years, the United Way of Madison County conducts a community needs assessment survey to identify the critical issues confronting our community. The needs assessment process is overseen by a panel of volunteers, made up of community leaders, social service providers, and other individuals. The committee reviews the survey responses to determine the most effective ways to meet the needs of Madison County.
The last survey was conducted in 2004, identifying the top concerns of residents in Madison County. The survey results indicated that health care issues were the greatest concern among respondents. Issues such as lack of affordable medical and mental health care, medical insurance, and prescription drugs were among the top ranked issues. The list below shows the top fifteen results from the three categories of surveys: Households, Service Providers, and Community Leaders.
| Top Fifiteen Household Results |
| 1. |
High cost of prescription drugs |
| 2. |
Lack of adequate medical insurance coverage |
| 3. |
Lack of affordable medical care |
| 4. |
Domestic violence, abuse of children or adults |
| 5. |
Crime rate |
| 6. |
Mental illness or emotional issues |
| 7. |
Unemployment |
| 8. |
Lack of affordable elder care |
| 9. |
Alcohol and/or drug abuse |
| 10. |
Illiteracy |
| 11. |
Lack of accessible medical care |
| 12. |
Unsafe school environment |
| 13. |
Teen pregnancy |
| 14. |
Drop-out rate |
| 15. |
Water or air pollution |
| Top Fifiteen Service Provider Results |
| 1. |
Mental illness or emotional issues |
| 2. |
High cost of prescription drugs |
| 3. |
Lack of adequate medical insurance coverage |
| 4. |
Teen pregnancy |
| 5. |
Lack of affordable medical care |
| 6. |
Lack of affordable elder care |
| 7. |
Illiteracy |
| 8. |
Lack of adolescent mental health care |
| 9. |
Unemployment |
| 10. |
Lack of accessible medical care |
| 11. |
Alcohol and/or drug abuse |
| 12. |
Domestic violence, abuse against children or adults |
| 13. |
Drop-out rate |
| 14. |
Lack of job-specific training |
| 15. |
Inadequate public transportation |
| Top Fifiteen Community Leaders Results |
| 1. |
Alcohol and/or drug abuse |
| 2. |
Lack of affordable medical care |
| 3. |
High cost of prescription drugs |
| 4. |
Domestic violence, abuse to children and adults |
| 5. |
Lack of affordable elder care |
| 6. |
Lack of adequate medical insurance coverage |
| 7. |
Mental illness or emotional issues |
| 8. |
Unemployment |
| 9. |
Crime rate |
| 10. |
Drop-out rate |
| 11. |
Lack of adolescent mental health care |
| 12. |
Preservation of green space |
| 13. |
Lack of affordable childcare |
| 14. |
Flood prevention |
| 15. |
Poorly maintained or old school facilities |
|