CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County will conduct a county-wide Human Services Needs Assessment, according to Lisa Kovalick, Community Development Specialist.
This week, she said the county will mail out more than 1,000 surveys to random consumers. She said the random survey will be conducted anonymously.
According to Kovalick, the survey will help the county identify local needs, develop goals, create strategies, identify and track outcomes, etc. that will support the implementation and development of effective services for residents.
“It has been approximately 15 years since we last conducted a county-wide human services needs assessment. While we know there is never enough money to meet all of our needs, this will help guide us to identify and prioritize where the greatest needs are today,” she said.
Each year, she said the county is required to adopt a Human Services Plan. This plan, she said, is used to inform the commonwealth and the community how Human Services funding is being used to serve eligible residents.
According to Kovalick, the Human Services Plan describes the services provided in areas of mental health, intellectual disabilities, adult services, homeless assistance, children and youth, juvenile justice and drug and alcohol services.
In 2014, she said the county conducted the first phase of the Human Services Needs Assessment. She said it had surveyed human services organizations and providers that serve consumers in Clearfield County.
Additionally, she said the county conducted roundtable discussions to identify assets, achievements and strengths of the human services providers, as well as trends, barriers and gaps in services.
In phase two, Kovalick said the county will conduct the consumer survey. “We are reaching out for their assistance,” she said. “This survey will help identify and prioritize demographic and categorical human services needs in the county.”
She said if a consumer receives the survey they are asked to complete it to the best of their ability. Anyone who receives the survey and has questions or needs additional information can contact the human services coordinator at 814-765-5149.
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken said he hoped the fact that the random survey was being done anonymously would increase consumers’ participation. When asked, Kovalick said she hoped the county would get 340 or more surveys back.