CHALLENGE ISSUE: 1.) PARENTING

There is a need to enhance parenting skills
A. Children's troubling behavior, health and hygiene at school
B. Respect for self and others
C. Self esteem building (for parent & for children)
D. Both parents working providing limited time for supervision of child, and for relationship building or modeling
E. School curriculums provide little parenting skill development
F. Integrating parenting skills (vs. learning about parenting ) is vital
G. Achieving open communication between parent and child diminishes negative behaviors of youth

Relevant Cayuga County Information:
Approximately one teenager becomes pregnant every other day in Cayuga County (i.e. 3 teens per week).
Between 1990 and 1995, an average of four (4) 10?14 year olds became pregnant per year in Cayuga County.
Nationally, 95% of teens who deliver choose to keep their child
A national statistic indicates that teen pregnancy occurs during the nonstructured activity hours of the school day, between 3 and 7 p.m.
In Cayuga County during 1997 there were 26 children, age sixteen and under, on probation and 192 in the Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) Diversion Program. The first quarter of 1998 already shows 38 children on probation and 85 in PINS Diversion
20% of households in Cayuga County are single parent households
Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) teen parents, and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said poor preparation for parenting was a critical issue
Families with emotionally disturbed children are under extreme stress
Domestic Violence (Crimes against family members, girl & boyfriends) had the highest incidence ever, since tracking, in Cayuga County during March 1998

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 2.) ADOLESCENT RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

There are limited recreational opportunities for adolescents

A. 3p.m. - 7 p.m. is when there is the greatest risk for negative behaviors
B. School cutbacks in after school programming (e.g. intramural sports)
C. No transportation into urban areas, from rural areas, for recreation
D. Positive recreational activities reduce access to, and participation in, negative activities (violence, drugs, sexual activity)

Relevant Cayuga County Information:
A national statistic indicates that teen pregnancy occurs during the nonstructured activity hours of the school day, between 3 and 7 p.m.
Approximately one teenager becomes pregnant every other day in Cayuga County (i.e. 3 teens per week).
Domestic Violence (Crimes against family members, girl & boyfriends) had the highest incidence ever, since tracking, in Cayuga County during March 1998
Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) adolescents from northern & southern rural areas, and b.) service providers, c.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said there was a lack of recreation, activities & positive outlets for young people, creating increased likelihood of negative recreation/behaviors.
Assault hospitalizations in Cayuga County of 40.5!100.000 was higher than the Cortland, Oswego, Seneca, Wayne, and Tompkins county range (14.8 ? 25.2), and the upstate average of 42.2.
In Cayuga County during 1997 there were 26 children, age sixteen and under, on probation and 192 in the Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) Diversion Program. The first quarter of 1998 already shows 38 children on probation and 85 in PINS Diversion

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 3.) POSITIVE EXPERIENCES FOR FAMILIES

There is a need to develop new, or more, positive experiences for families

A. Families can be strengthened by participation in mutually positive experiences
B. There are limited recreational opportunities for families
C. There are little to no recreational opportunities for families in rural areas
D. Transportation (limited frequency and hours of operation as well as absence in rural areas) limit activities of families
E. Few opportunities within the County

Relevant Cayuga County Information:

Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) teen parents, and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said poor preparation for parenting was a critical issue
The three most violent incidents in Cayuga in last 15 months have been domestically related (Crimes against family members, girl & boyfriends).
Domestic Violence had the highest incidence ever, since tracking, in Cayuga County during March 1998 In Cayuga County during 1997 there were 26 children, age sixteen and under, on probation and 192 in the Persons in Need of Supen'ision (PINS) Diversion Program. The first quarter of 1998 already shows 38 children on probation and 85 in PINS Diversion
20% of households in Cayuga County are single parent households
Local focus groups, in 1998, said there was a lack of recreational & other family activity options in Cayuga County.

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 4.) TROUBLING BEHAVIOR OF YOUTH

There is troubling behavior by youth in the school and in the community
A. Violence, drugs & adolescent sexual activity
B. Lack of respect
C. Improve school experiences and outcomes for African - American young males
D. Improve school experiences and outcomes youth that are outside norm (not the "typical" student).

Relevant Cayuga County Information:
Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) adolescents from rural Cayuga County and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said troubling behavior of children in schools was a priority concern of theirs. Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) teen parents, and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said poor preparation for parenting was a critical issue
Adolescents in Auburn feel threatened by violence, sex, drugs and jail.
A local perspective "As the authority/power of teachers in the classroom decreases there may be an increase in actions which negatively impact students' self?esteem and behavior"
A third assessment was undertaken in 1998, by the Cayuga County Community Health Network, as part of its planning phase. Focus groups of consumers and school nurses, within the county, identified teen pregnancy (beginning in the 8`h & 9`h grade level) as a clear problem.
The average pregnancy rate per 1000 for 10 ?14 year olds over 1993?1995 was higher in Cayuga County (1.8) than the rate in 1995 for the rest of upstate (1.5)
Domestic Violence (Crimes against family members, girl & boyfriends) had the highest incidence ever, since tracking, in Cayuga County during March 1998 . In Cayuga County during 1997 there were 26 children, age sixteen and under, on probation and 192 in the Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) Diversion Program. The first quarter of 1998 already shows 38 children on probation and 85 in PINS Diversion.
The transition of African?American males to higher education or employment can be less successful than for non?minority youth.

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 5.) COMMUNITY/PARENT/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

There is a need to enhance/achieve parent?school partnerships and community?school partnerships
A. Parents' experiences as a student may interfere with establishing a positive relationship with school
B. Parents do not understand what roles there are for them in the school (the range of roles and partnerships possible are not clearly defined)
C. Children are behind if they have not been to pre?school before entering kindergarten
D. The integration of, or the coordination with, community organizations and schools needs strengthening in order to meet the needs of at risk youth

Relevant Cayuga County Information:

Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary school parents & teachers and b.) pre-school parents cited both positive and weak parent-school relationships. Situations: l.) A school where the respondents perceived poor communication, poor involvement and a lack of trust; 2.) A school that is perceived by respondents as aggressively & creatively reaching out to engage parents.
Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary school parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) adolescents from rural Cayuga County and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said troubling behavior of children in schools was a priority concern of theirs. Local focus groups, in 1998, of a.) elementary parents & teachers, b.) service providers, c.) teen parents, and d.) young adults attending C.C. College, all said poor preparation for parenting was a critical issue Adolescents in Auburn feel threatened by violence, sex, drugs and jail.
A local perspective "As the authority/power of teachers in the classroom decreases there may be an increase in actions which negatively impact students' self?esteem and behavior" An assessment was undertaken in 1998, by the Cayuga County Community Health Network, as part of its planning phase. Focus groups of consumers and school nurses, within the county, identified teen pregnancy (beginning in the 8`h & 9`h grade level) as a clear problem. Only 41 % of teen mothers in Cayuga County finish high school & teen fathers are more likely to drop out of high school ( Two babies are born to teen mothers each week in Cayuga County) A national statistic indicates that teen pregnancy occurs during the non-structured activity hours of the school day, between 3 and 7 p.m. In a study of Cayuga County, 1997 Low Income Community Needs Assessment by Knowledge Systems & Research, Inc., a survey was conducted of current and recent participants in the various programs operated by Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency, Department of Social Services and literacy programs. 440 surveys were returned. When asked about services in which youth in their households are involved, only 8% indicated involvement in organized sports or extra curricular activities and only 4.5% in Boy/Girl Scouts. Local focus groups in 1998 of parents with emotionally disturbed children reported concerns about coordination/cooperation between schools and community services. The transition of African?American males to higher education or employment can be less successful than for non-minority youth.

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 6.) JOBS

There is a need to attract and/or retain well paying jobs
A. Unemployment rate for Cayuga County is 39% higher than for New York State, excluding NYC (March 1998: Cayuga rate 6.8% vs. NYS [w/out NYC] rate of 4.9%)
B. Youth migration results from a lack of good jobs
C. Improve the match between the needs of employers and the skills of the graduating students
D. Improve the employment outcomes for African American males, especially young males.
E. The work force has problems with transportation and child care

Other Relevant Cayuga County Information:

In a study of Cayuga County, 1997 Low Income Community Needs Assessment by Knowledge Systems & Research, Inc., a survey was conducted of current and recent participants in the various programs operated by Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency, Department of Social Services and literacy programs. 440 surveys were returned. When asked to identify the most pressing needs of low income pop in Cayuga, education/training, jobs, were highest need cited by local agencies.
Respondents most often described the job crisis (40.4%) as the major problem in the community.
Only 41 % of teen mothers in Cayuga County finish high school & teen fathers are more likely to drop out of high school (Two babies are born to teen mothers each week in Cayuga County) Local focus groups, in 1998, a.) young adults attending C.C. College , b.) residents from rural Cayuga County and c.) unemployed residents cited economic development and jobs as a priority concern of theirs.

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 7.) TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

There is a need to expand transportation options
1. Rural areas have limited or no service
2. Restricted, infrequent, or no service limits access to employment
3. Lack or limited transportation deters making health & dental appointments
4. Non-traditional uses (e.g. need for delivery or drop off service for those unable to drive or take transportation)
5. There is limited, to no, service providing access to shopping after 6 p.m.

Other Relevant Cayuga County Information:

Feedback from rural residents, youths attending CC College, Preschool parents, teen parents, elders, and unemployed residents cited transportation as a priority issue.
Transportation to and from day care was expressed as a problem

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 8.) FAMILIES

There is a need to support families
A. Single parent households (emotional and parenting support)
B. Both parents working; limited energy
C. Limited time available for supervision of child, relationship/modeling
D. Families with emotionally disturbed children are under extreme stress and are at high risk
E. Head Start program has waiting list limiting access
F. Children are behind if they have not been to pre?school before entering kindergarten
G. Cost is of day care is limiting access
H. Transportation to and from day care is a problem
I. Day care for mildly sick children is unavailable

Relevant Cayuga County Information:
Only 41% of teen mothers in Cayuga County finish high school & teen fathers are more likely to drop out of high school ( Two babies are born to teen mothers each week in Cayuga County)
A national statistic indicates that teen pregnancy occurs during the nonstructured activity hours of the school day, between 3 and 7 p.m.
In Cayuga County there are children (ages 4-21yrs) with disabilities which include: Emotionally disabled (120); Mentally retarded (164); Learning disabled (596); Speech impaired (164); and Multiply disabled (157).
20% of households in Cayuga County are single parent households Domestic Violence (Crimes against family members, girl & boyfriends) had the highest incidence ever, since tracking, in Cayuga County during March 1998
Focus groups convened by the Cayuga County Community Health Network, identified the need for early screening and diagnosis of emotionally disabled and learning disabled children.
Local focus groups in 1998 of parents with emotionally disturbed children reported concerns about coordination/cooperation between schools and community services.

CHALLENGE ISSUE: 9.) HEALTH - CHILDREN & ELDERS WITH DEMENTIA

There is a need to enhance health care for children and elders with dementia
1. Screening at a younger age for emotional disorders, learning disabilities, sight & hearing deficits
2. Day care for mildly sick children is unavailable
Many pre?schoolers have dental needs (cost and access to Medicaid providers)
4. Nutrition; enrollment in WIC is less than half the eligible population
5. Children's health and hygiene problems are evident in the school setting
6. Need for additional support & diagnostic services for those with dementia
7. Need for support for persons with dementia in rural areas (e.g. no day care)

Relevant Cayuga County Information:
1. Local focus groups, in 1998, of elementary school parents & teachers, school nurses, etc. cited the health and hygiene (medical & dental) of children coming to school as a concern.
2. Local focus groups, in 1998, identified that many pre-school children have needs for dental care that go unmet.
3. No private dentists in Cayuga County accept Medicaid clients. Only those schools which have a set % of children who qualify for the free school program have free dental hygiene services.
4. 39+% of all school lunches served are free or reduced fee
5. 91.4% of all school breakfasts served are free or reduced fee
6. 5.5% of all children under 18 are at risk of hunger (3,100) or defined as being hungry (800)
7. 46.7% of all eligible for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) (nutritional supplement program) participate
8. Two babies are born to teen mothers each week in Cayuga County
9. Weather appropriate clothing was seen as a need for many children, especially during winter months, was identified as a need during 1998 focus groups and surveys done by the Community Health Network.
10. A 1997 position paper prepared by the Human Services Coalition of Cayuga County reported an estimate of 1800 community residents are identified with Alzheimer'/Dementia.
11. During 1998 focus groups and surveys done by the Community Health Network. as well as in a position paper prepared by the Human Services Coalition of Cayuga County, it was identified that care for Alzheimer's/Dementia is limited in Cayuga County. Area physician's experience and capacities on diagnosis is limited and there are significant gaps in the continuum of care for these individuals.