United Way releases community needs assessment results

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The United Way of Aroostook recently released the results of its community needs assessment, noting broad areas of agreement throughout Aroostook County. Among those items at the top of the list were substance abuse, parenting and family issues, problems facing the elderly, and economic challenges in Maine’s northernmost county.
     “It was surprising how much consensus there was in the surveys and meetings conducted for the assessment,” said United Way Director Claudia Stevens. “While there are some differences in the emphasis placed on different needs, the same items came to the top in northern, central and southern Aroostook County.”
Substance abuse was an issue that stood out for many of those surveyed. It was noted that there seemed to be a cycle of addiction, with unhealthy lifestyles and choices being passed on from parents to children. Crimes attributed directly to drug and alcohol were also of major concern, not only from the perspective of law enforcement and care providers, but in the communities as a whole. While the survey indicated illegal drug use was of greater concern in southern and central Aroostook County, those in the St. John Valley had greater concerns about alcohol abuse.
Economic issues identified included unemployment and underemployment, the difficulty of obtaining work that pays a livable wage, the problem of out-migration of the young and those with sought-after skills, and the high cost of fuel, health care, and health insurance.
Many of those surveyed felt the lack of appropriate parenting skills often led to cycles of domestic and sexual abuse, violence, and substance abuse, with behaviors passed down from parent to child. The lack of adequate education for children and youth to stop this cycle was also noted, as was the need for affordable and reliable childcare.
Issues facing the elderly included the feeling of isolation and loneliness many older individuals encounter due to lack of transportation or poor health. Economic issues mirrored those in the community as a whole, with the high cost of prescription drugs, health care and fuel topping the list. Both isolation and economic hardships were cited as sometimes leading to depression and unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, poor diets, and alcohol or drug dependency.
The survey and group meetings, funded jointly by grants from the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) and Katahdin Trust Co., were conducted in the first quarter of 2006 by independent consultant Jeff Walstrom.
“We wanted someone from the outside that could look at things objectively,” said Brian Sipe, United Way board president. “Jeff is the former executive director of the United Way of Eastern Maine and had been involved with a similar needs assessment they undertook several years ago. He brought not only a fresh perspective, but the expertise needed to undertake this project.”
As part of the assessment, 11 discussion groups were held, including eight made up of “General Public” representing a broad cross-section of communities. There were also three meetings held with professionals including non-profit leaders, municipal employees, law enforcement, and school officials.
A copy of the community needs assessment can be found at www.unitedwayaroostook.org or may be obtained by calling 764-5197.