Methodology C/SCAA's assessment includes a review of both primary and secondary data to shed light on the needs of the low income population in Cayuga and Seneca County. Secondary data was obtained through readily available resources: U.S. Census Bureau, and various state and local government sources. The general population, housing, employment and poverty trends in counties were reviewed. Primary data used came from three written surveys. The populations surveyed were the Human Service Providers. 27 agencies responded. The staff at the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency were also surveyed. 61 staff surveys were completed. Finally, the Program Participants were surveyed. These individuals were past and present participants of the various programs that are operated by the C/SCAA. 440 surveys were completed and returned.

Program Participant Survey Findings Related to Need
Program participants tend to be long-time residents of the area with the average residency of 18 years or more. There is a high incidence of single parent families among the program participants (38.7% of all respondents) Unemployment rates are high: 16.8% of the respondents indicated that they are unemployed. Participants who are employed tend to hold low or semi?skilled jobs. Many participate in Medicare/Medicaid (71 %) and Food Stamps (64%). Household income tends to be less than $12,000 per year. Participants spend a high proportion of their income on food (32%), housing (34%), and fuel bills (22 oo). Most participants are renters (75%). Lack of access to child care limits opportunities for school and work; 40 percent of respondents with children under the age of 12 express an interest in obtaining child care. Money, jobs and affordable housing appear to be the most frequently mentioned needs across participant categories, followed by food, medical insurance and transportation. The need for child care was mentioned by over 10% of DVIP participants. Human Services Agencies and Staff Survey Findings Respondents cite education, training, and jobs as the most critical needs in the Cayuga and Seneca County. Other high needs areas frequently mentioned included transportation, financial assistance, and housing.

Service demand indicators such as waiting lists for rental assistance, home repair services, and summer youth employment - reaffirm participant stated need for money, jobs and housing.

Needs are cited as increasing, particularly for the teen and adult segments. Changes in federal legislation are viewed as having the greatest impacts on these\ segments.

Cross Cutting Conclusions Financial Assistance This was the most frequently mentioned need by the program participants; 22 % mentioned the need for help with bills, and 8.9% indicated a need for food. Reported household income is typically under $12,000 per year. Food Stamps and Medicaid/Medicare are programs used by a large percentage of this population. Yet, nearly one-half of respondents indicated that they accessed an emergency food pantry in the last 12 months, suggesting severe financial problems.

Jobs and Training The need for employment was mentioned by 15 percent of participants and was mentioned as one of the highest pressing need by agency and staff respondents in both counties. Nearly 30% of participant respondents indicated that someone in their household was either laid off or unemployed. The need for education and training was also mentioned. Over one-quarter of program participants indicated that there is a member of the household who would like to go to school but cannot because of financial, child care, or transportation reasons.

Affordable Housing and Housing Repair Cayuga County, in particular has an old housing stock, suggesting overall needs for weatherization and repair. The third most frequently mentioned need by program participants (15% of respondents) was for affordable housing in good repair. Housing was also frequently mentioned by staff and agency respondents and, to the degree that waiting lists for services exist, they tend to be for housing or housing repair programs. Low income families report sending a large percentage (one-third) of their household income on rent and mortgage.

Service for Teens The needs of low income teens were identified by both staff and agency respondents are increasing dramatically. Substance Abuse and Youth Programs were identified by program participants as two of the top three community problems (just behind Jobs). One-fifth of households with teenagers fear that these youth will drop out of school, 19% fear that youth in their households are at risk of pregnancy/sexual activity; 14% fear that youth in their households are at risk of living outside the home and almost 10% are concerned that their teens will become involved in criminal activity.

Services for Children The needs of low income children, between the ages of 0 and 12, were identified by agency and staff respondents as also increasing. This increased need is also borne out by the large size of the current Head Start waiting list in Cayuga county (149 children in 1996). Child care was identified as a high need by agency respondents and mentioned as the third highest need by staff. 40% of participant respondents with children also indicated interest in day care or preschool/nursery school, with many of the remaining respondents indicating disinterest because of affordability, accessibility or safety concerns. Several respondents indicated that child care responsibilities limited their educational or employment opportunities.

Transportation Over one-third of the participants do not have a car and rely on buses, taxis, walking and rides with friends or families. Transportation was the second highest need identified by agency representatives in Seneca County and the fifth highest need identified by agency representatives in Cayuga County as well as by staff respondents. Medical. One-quarter of participants indicated that they do not have access to health or dental care when they need it, primarily due to expense or lack of insurance. This was the fifth highest need identified by program participants. Several key informants noted their belief that managed care will solve many of the health care provider access problems currently faced by Medicaid patients.

Drugs This as the second most frequently mentioned community-wide problem by program participants ? mentioned by 21 %.