Written Survey

Written surveys were distributed through various means throughout LaPorte County. They were distributed to service clubs, local service agencies and their customers, other service providers, members of all four chambers of commerce and the LaCrosse Planning Commission, and all focus group attendees. 115 total surveys were returned. Some respondents did not answer all questions, so the number of responses for each question will vary.

When asked what they perceived as the greatest unmet need facing LaPorte County, the respondents were given a scale of 0-3. 0 "undecided," 1 "no need," 2 "slight need" and 3 "critical need." The responses were added together to establish an average that could be compared with all issues. The responses were divided into two categories and then ranked as the top ten issues based on this average.

The written survey contained the ten community indicators selected by the partnership. The ranking of these indicators in order of need are listed below.

Ranking of the Ten Community Indicators

#1 Transportation 2.593
#2 Education 2.547
#3 Medical Care & Wellness 2.435
#4 Health & Human Services 2.389
#5 Housing 2.350
#6 Job Opportunities 2.277
#7 Recreation 2.161
#8 Environment 2.158
#9 Public Safety 1.722
#10 Arts & Culture 1.704

The written survey included many issues the respondents could select as unmet needs facing the community. The ranking of these issues in order of need are listed below.

Ranking of the Ten Greatest Unmet Needs

#1 The Uninsured 2.625
#2 Livable Wage 2.623
#3 Low Income 2.547
#4 Drug Abuse 2.515
#5 Child Abuse / Neglect 2.508
#6 Strengthen Families 2.500
#7 Homebound 2.500
#8 Other 2.455
#9 Dental 2.426
#10 Alcohol Abuse 2.419

The following chart includes all categories and issues that the respondents were able to choose from in the written survey. Those individuals taking the survey were asked to rate the needs facing LaPorte County. The rating system ranged from 0-3, with 0 "undecided," 1 "no need," 2 "slight need," and 3 "critical need." TPMA added the responses together to establish an average that could be compared with the other issues.

This chart includes the ten community indicators selected by the partnership and the various issues that fall within those categories.

Written Survey Highlights

· 85% indicated they are the person in their household that makes the decisions on what health and social services their family uses

· 64% of the respondents are between the ages of 35-64

· 82% of the respondents were women

· 67% of the respondents described their household income in the range of $35,000 and $100,000

· 13% of the respondents indicated their income is under $15,000

· When asked in what ways services could be improved upon, the highest rated response (44%) was "making it easier to know what services are offered"

· The second highest response to how services could be improved (32%) was transportation - making it easier to get to the services

· 66% of respondents indicated that existing services could not be improved upon

· 56% indicated that if a centralized office providing information and referral (I & R) services was established, they would be more likely to utilize the services

· 55% of those surveyed indicated that they had not used any of the I & R services currently operating in LaPorte County

· 75% of respondents indicated the main reason why they had not used a LaPorte County service was due to lack of need

· 76% of those surveyed were satisfied with the United Way of LaPorte County

It is interesting to note that 41% of those surveyed identified "making it easier to know what services are offered" as the element that would most improve services. This certainly illustrates that many people do not believe they are fully aware of the services available. It also demonstrates the problem of having excellent services that are ultimately ineffective simply because people do not know what services are available or where to access them. Over half of those surveyed (56%) indicated that if a centralized office for I & R was established, they would be more likely to use it and thereby be more aware of, and make use of, other available services. Only 4% indicated they would like to see an Internet site established.

The second highest response (32%) indicated that services could be improved just by making the services easier to access which certainly affirms the findings in other aspects of this assessment.