Summary of all Focus Groups' Findings

At the conclusion of each focus group, the participants were asked to reach a consensus on the top three issues facing LaPorte County. These three issues had to be chosen from the list they had created during the course of discussion. Several common issues surfaced repeatedly in each of the separate groups. In five of the eight focus groups, the following issues were mentioned as the top needs:

· Transportation
· Housing / Homelessness
· Substance Abuse

Transportation
Transportation is an issue which has a critical impact on all other areas. For instance, people with medical conditions might need health services, but if they cannot get to a healthcare provider, their primary need becomes transportation. Consequently, solving the issue of transportation has an immediate impact on all other needs.

Furthermore, the issue of transportation in LaPorte County has two separate, but equally important, aspects: local and countywide. Local transportation presents a problem because even where there is citywide transportation (Transporte in LaPorte, and Michigan City Municipal Coach in Michigan City), it runs only limited hours. Michigan City operates Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm and on Saturday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm; LaPorte operates Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 8:30 pm and on Saturday, 8:00 am to 3:30pm. One gentleman in the Michigan City focus group pointed out that the limited hours of public transportation meant he could be stranded since many businesses and resources are open later than transportation is available. In addition, no service is offered on Sunday; consequently, people must rely on private transportation (a friend or family member) or suffer unmet needs.

The other aspect of transportation is the significant lack of public resources countywide. Considering that LaPorte is the county seat and home to a number of agencies providing vital services, the need for access becomes a greater problem. It was mentioned at more than one focus group that, if someone outside of LaPorte (Michigan City residents included) needs to access services in the courthouse, there are no public means of getting there.

Housing/Homelessness
Participants spoke passionately in several focus groups about homelessness identifying it as a "hidden" need because very few in the community realize it is a problem. The general public does not recognize the need because the homeless are not seen in stereotypical settings (sleeping in the parks, in alleys or on porches). In addition, many of the homeless are "hidden" because they move from place to place (friend to friend or family member to family member), sleep in their cars or "camp" in tents during the summer months.

The cost and availability of affordable housing was cited as the primary reason for homelessness. For many, incomes are not adequate to cover the costs associated with independent living. Several participants spoke of the limited number of apartments that are affordable to low-income people. Often, the only apartments available and affordable offer inadequate, even uninhabitable, living conditions. The problem of local "slum lords" was also mentioned.

Homelessness is most acute for men in LaPorte County. Currently, there is no shelter for homeless men in LaPorte County; the closest shelter (St. Joseph County) has limited beds and resources and is often at capacity, which leaves few other options. Sending homeless men out of the county also contributes to its being a "hidden" problem.

Substance Abuse and Gambling
Another issue identified with regularity was the issue of substance abuse, including drugs, alcohol, and gambling. While those in attendance felt all were of great concern, drug abuse received the most discussion.

Most in attendance spoke of their concern that current programs for substance abuse do not cure people. Several examples were cited in which participants fell back into their old habits once the program ended. They described programs as concentrating on surface issues but doing little to solve underlying problems. In the case of alcohol, the group spoke of people being put into detoxification programs but sent back into the community whether or not the problems that contributed to their alcohol abuse were addressed sufficiently. Consequently, once the person is released, they inevitably fall back into the same cycle. The neighborhood focus groups in Michigan City and LaPorte described this issue with great personal conviction.
Whether or not this is the case, it is the perception of many who utilize and/or know people who utilize the services.

Attendees also described the lack of affordable substance abuse programs, including counseling. In addition, low program capacity and inadequate bed space cause many participants to fail because too often they are treated and released before they are actually cured, in order to make room for others in need of treatment.

The focus group participants also cited the lack of sufficient education regarding the problems of abuse. They felt if there were more preventative education programs, fewer people would fall into the trap of substance abuse.

Drug abuse, as described by the groups, is an issue that has a stranglehold on adults and youth alike. The problem also connects to other key issues such as youth and gang violence, civil disobedience, and the disintegration of the family unit. It also affects job opportunities as many companies do not hire individuals if they do not pass a drug test. To further complicate the issue, in areas where people have little hope and few means of making money, drugs offer them an opportunity for both.

The issue of gambling abuse is a relatively new problem. The full extent of how this will impact LaPorte County is yet to be seen. However, the participants were very concerned about the impact this new influence will have on LaPorte County. The group spoke of people cashing their checks and going straight to the casino. The end result is loss of money, which exacerbates other problems when bills come and there is little, if any, money to cover the expenses.

Additional Focus Group Discussion

While the previous section summarized the main themes, which were common in all focus groups, this section will include discussion, comments and opinions that were limited to specific focus groups. However, all issues and unmet needs that were identified in each focus group are of significance. An entire listing of needs mentioned during the focus groups is included in the appendices of this document.

Additional issues mentioned

· Child Care
This topic was discussed in several focus groups as being an unmet need in the community. Specific issues lacking resources included infant care, third shift, and special needs care. Participants also discussed the lack of affordable childcare and the inadequate capacity of existing programs.

· Technological Disparity
The issue of a technology gap was examined. Residents either have technology and the expertise to use it or they do not; there is very little middle ground. The group considered technology as everything from computers to phones. It was also a concern that if most people did not have (or were not comfortable in using) Internet access, they could not use the county information and referral web site.

· Support Services to Strengthen Families
The idea of building up the family unit and creating a solid foundation for the family was an idea that received much discussion. Participants noted that we can continue to work on the symptoms of a problem, or we can try to correct the problem itself. Strengthening families was identified as a way to alleviate, as well as prevent, many problems.

· Lack of Volunteers
Many programs are having difficulty meeting the needs of the community due to low capacity. One way agencies could help alleviate this would be the use of volunteers; however, there seems to be a distinct lack of volunteers. This was particularly true in the case of Kingsford Heights, where they have plenty of recreational equipment and an excellent facility, but not enough people to set up programs and provide supervision. Other service agencies echoed similar limitations.

· Prison Family Support
A problem identified by many participants was the influx of prison families and how that is affecting the county. Many families relocate to LaPorte County to be close to someone who has been incarcerated which creates a ripple effect in the community. Issues such as unstable income, housing, and education problems greatly affect and take a toll on the family unit.

Some of the effects include children in poverty and, in some cases, lacking a positive role model; unstable housing and transience; education as a low family priority which leads to truancy; and children moving from school to school.

Effective services
Participants in the provider focus groups were asked what services they perceived as effective. Several were identified, which indicates that agencies are achieving some success.

Participants noted that the agencies have very compassionate caseworkers who truly care about individuals and their needs. They particularly referenced the hospice programs and the health clinics as very successful agencies. Participants also identified many youth programs that are making a positive difference in children's lives.

The providers also spoke of how community awareness is being enhanced through the use of the Internet (such as Access LaPorte County and Healthy Communities Initiative), as well as hard copy sources such as the Where To Turn Book. However, there was some concern about everyone knowing what services are available and how to access them. When asked how agencies could be more effective, they mentioned better coordination and communication among agencies and the sharing of information and resources.

What do people think about services?
The service providers were asked what users of their services would say about their agencies' effectiveness. The consensus of the group was that customers would respond that the services are sometimes too slow and that they are inconvenient due to travel distance and lack of public transportation.

At the neighborhood focus groups, the users of the services were asked the same question about the providers. Their responses were similar concerning the transportation issues, but other areas were also mentioned. The lack of volunteers and the long waiting lists for services were of concern.

Both groups acknowledge that transportation is an issue that limits the overall effectiveness of services delivered and received.

How can agencies be more effective?
Providers believed they could be more effective if they had better coordination with other agencies sharing information about clients concerning the services needed and provided. Although turf issues exist, all providers at the focus groups indicated that they were very willing to work together. The focus group participants were asked if the problems associated with the lack of coordination could be fixed. Most providers believed that it could be remedied. Several suggestions were made including the evaluation of a database or Internet warehouse where information could be shared among all providers. This would provide information that is currently lacking, and enable each agency to let others know where gaps exist and refer customers to those services. Currently, many if not most people are unclear what functions all the agencies serve. Through agencies networking and establishing better coordination and information sharing, the processes of delivering and receiving services in LaPorte County will be enhanced.

Where do people get their information?
The focus group participants were asked where they currently obtain information concerning services in LaPorte County. Both neighborhood and provider groups identified word of mouth, newspapers, laundromats, churches and township trustees. Other methods mentioned by the neighborhood groups, but not by the providers, included TV and the local chamber of commerce. The discussion indicated that providers are in touch with the customers they serve. Both groups agree that the primary way in which people get their information is by word of mouth. The providers understand that they must continue to promote their services to the community in a way that encourages people to access the services that are available.