CALDWELL COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Caldwell County has a total of 805 children ages 0-4 years.

Child care centers have 100 slots available, serving children ages 0-12 years. This is an average of 8 slots for each age group (0-1, 1-2, 2-3, etc). With the 32 child care slots for 0-4 year olds and the 17 Head Start slots which are available to three year olds, 756 children between the ages of 0 and 4 years cannot be placed in a child care setting. None of these children can receive child care services after 5:30 p.m. Therefore, parents who work later shifts are forced to find some other means of care for their children.

The only means of public transportation for persons without vehicles is through Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS) PACS provides transportation for eligible riders within limited operational hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday). Although PACS is intended to be utilized by low-income individuals, there is still a fare of $2.00 to $4.00 per trip. For those persons who must depend on PACS for their daily transportation to and from work, the cost becomes excessive.

The high school dropout rate in Caldwell County is 13.1% among persons ranging in age from 16 to 19 years. Of the 649 families living in poverty, 39% are headed by females. The percentage of birth mothers below age 19 is 24%. These factors, along with the limited availability of child care and public transportation, contribute to the high poverty level of 19.9%.

Statistics show that Caldwell County has 80 children eligible for Head Start; 43 of those children have applied for the 1995-96 school year. Unfortunately, there are only 17 Head Start slots allotted to the county. With this in mind, Caldwell county should be given high priority consideration when expansion monies become available.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

With 21 child care centers and six family day care centers in Christian County, 14 of which provide transportation, and three that offer night time care, child care appears at first glance to be adequate. But when you consider the number of slots available, it is evident that child care is still a need in the county. There are 5,926 children between the ages of 0 and 4 years residing in Christian County. There are only 929 total child care slots available which includes children between age 4 and 12 as well as children age 0 to 4. This is an average of 77 slots for each age group (0-1, 1-2,...,10-11, 11-12). Thus, 308 of the 5,926 children age 0-4 could be enrolled in a child care program. Currently, approximately 536 of the 5,926 children are eligible for Head Start. Unfortunately, only 221 slots are available in the Head Start program. Therefore, there is still an estimated 5,407 children ages 0 to 4 who are not enrolled in child care or Head Start.

The unemployment rate in Christian County is only 5.1% which is 2.1% below the Kentucky state unemployment rate of 7.2%. Yet, the poverty rate in the county is still at 18.1%. This indicates that the jobs that are available in the community are low-paying jobs providing insufficient income for families.

Ten percent (10%) of persons aged 16 to 19 years are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates. Of the 2,404 families living in poverty, 1,193, or 49.6%, are headed by females. These factors, as well as the limited availability of child care and public transportation, contribute to Christian County's poverty rate of 18.1%.

CRITTENDEN COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Crittenden County has a 0-4 population of 574 children. Of the six child care facilities within the county, one center provides much needed night-time care, one center offers transportation, three centers serve children with special needs, and one center accepts subsidized child care payments. Overall, the child care that is available is effective in meeting the needs of families. But there are only 137 slots available for children from newborn to age 12. This is an average of 11 slots for each age group. Therefore, approximately 44 of the 574 children age 0-4 would be served by child care centers. Fifty-four (54) of the 574 children are eligible for Head Start and currently, 20 are being served by Head Start. The local school system's KERA preschool program serves an additional 25 three and four year old children. Thus, an estimated 89 children of the 574 0 to 4 population is being served in day care or preschool programs. This is only 15.6%. This scarcity of child care presents a barrier for parents who are looking for employment.

The poverty rate in Crittenden County is 18.7%. In addition to limited child care and transportation which affects the poverty rate, the high school drop-out rate among person age 16 to 19 years, is 29.2%, which is very high in comparison to other counties served by Audubon Area. Of the 385 families living in poverty, 30% are headed by females. This also contributes to the relatively high poverty rate.

DAVIESS COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Daviess County includes a population of 6,373 children between the ages of 0 and 4 years. There are 47 child care centers and Family Day Care homes within the county for a total of 3, 412 slots available for children between the ages of 0 and 12 years, or 284 slots for each age group. Five centers offer night-time care, 26 centers provide transportation, 18 centers serve children with special needs, and 12 centers accept subsidized child care payments. The services provided by child care facilities appears to be adequate, but with 501 children being served by Head Start and KERA and the 1,136 children aged 0-4 years being served by day care or preschool centers, there are still 4,736 children that do not have child care available to them.

Daviess County has an abundance of resources available to its residents. These resources are easily accessible to families living within city limits via the Owensboro Transit System (OTS). OTS provides transportation from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, for a reasonable fare. But residents living outside the city must rely on Green River Intra-county Transit System (GRITS) which operates between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with fares ranging from $1.20 to $2.20 per trip.

Daviess County is the most ethnically diverse county in our program area. This is due in most part to the migrant farm worker program and the 1970 Vietnamese Refugee Relocation program, as well as many local residents adopting Asian children.

The high school drop-out rate for the Daviess County is 10.1% among persons age 16 to 19 years. Of the 2,993 families living in poverty, 44.6% are headed by females. The rate of birth mothers under the age of 19 is 16.7%. The unemployment rate for the county is 6.3%. Each of these factors contribute to a poverty rate of 15.4%.

Statistics show that there are only 490 children eligible for Head Start in Daviess county. Currently, Head Start serves 222 of those children and the KERA program picks up the remaining 268 along with eight more free lunch eligible children. With this in mind and the fact that the Daviess County residents have more resources available to them than any other county within our service area, consideration should be given to moving some Head Start slots to other counties which have a longer waiting list.

HANCOCK COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Hancock County has an estimated 0-4 population of 567. Of those children, 47 of them are eligible for Head Start, yet only 20 slots have been allotted to the county. The school system serves only 18 additional children through their KERA preschool program. The availability of child care is limited to only 135 slots for children aged 0 to 12 years. This is an average of 11 slots per age group. Therefore, including the 38 children in Head Start and KERA, only 82 children between the ages of 0 and 4 years can be placed in a child care facility or preschool program. Furthermore, the day care centers in the county are not meeting the needs of those families by not offering night-time care. Hancock County has a lot of industry with many employees working nights and swing shifts. None of the three center offer transportation. One positive note is that the school system does provide wrap-around services for children in Head Start.

The only means of public transportation for persons without vehicles is through the Green River Intra-county Transit System (GRITS). GRITS provides transportation for eligible riders within limited operational hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday). Although GRITS is intended to be utilized by low-income individuals, there is still a fare of $1.20 to $2.20 per trip. For those persons who must depend on GRITS for their daily transportation to and from work, the cost becomes excessive. The Head Start program is fortunate to be provided transportation for its enrollees by the Hancock County School System.

Although industry contributes to the community, resources are still very limited for the 322 families living in poverty. Thirty percent (30%) of those families are headed by females and the rate of birth mothers under the age of 19 is 15.7%. The counties high school drop-out rate among persons aged 16 to 19 years is 10.2%. These factors along with the inability to obtain child care and public transportation, result in a poverty rate of 16.8%.

HENDERSON COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Henderson County has a total of 2,955 children ages 0 to 4 years. The 24 child care centers within the county provide services to 1,746 children between the ages of 0 and 12 years. This is an average of 145 slots per age group (0-1, 1-2, etc.). Services include transportation by 17 centers, night-time care offered by three centers, six centers serving children with special needs and subsidized child care payments are accepted by three centers. This indicates that effective child care services are available, but the average cost of child care in the county is $61.00 per week. This is the highest average cost within our service area. With the 580 child care slots available to children 0-4, and the 261 slots available in Head Start and the KERA preschool program, there are still 2,114 children 0-4 who can not be enrolled in a child care facility. Thus, not only is the child care unaffordable to our Head Start families, the availability of slots is limited. Affordable child care was the greatest need voiced by our current Head Start parents.

The only means of public transportation for persons living outside Henderson city limits is through the Green River Intra-county Transit System (GRITS). GRITS provides transportation for eligible riders within limited operational hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday). Although GRITS is intended to be utilized by low-income individuals, there is still a fare of $1.20 to $2.20 per trip. For those persons who must depend on GRITS for their daily transportation to and from work, the cost becomes excessive. Within Henderson city limits, the Henderson Area Rapid Transit system is available. Six buses and one paratransit van operates Monday through Friday with reasonable fares ranging from $.25 to $1.00 per trip.

The unemployment rate is 5.5% which is below the Kentucky state rate of 7.2%. The poverty level, 14.6%, is low in comparison to many of the counties we serve. The high school drop-out rate is 13.8% among persons aged 16 to 19 years. Of the 1,528 families living in poverty, 46.8% are headed by females. In addition, the rate of birth mothers under the age of 19 is 16.7%. These factors normally push the poverty level higher than what is currently reported, but many Henderson county residents are employed in industry and receive higher wages.

HOPKINS COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Hopkins County has 3,102 children ages 0 to 4 years. There are 682 slots available in the 19 child care facilities for children ages 0 to 12 years. This is an average of about 57 slots for each age group (0-1, 1-1, etc.). Of the 3,102 children 0-4, 266 are eligible for Head Start. Currently the Head Start program is serving 95 children and the KERA preschool program is serving 156. With the 228 child care slots for children 0 to 4, and the 251 Head Start and KERA slots, there is still 2,623 children between ages 0 and 4 years that will not have child care available to them. Of the 19 child care facilities, three centers provide night-time care, five centers provide transportation, four centers serve children with special needs and two centers accept subsidized child care payments. Although these services would be beneficial to our Head Start families, the average cost of child care in Hopkins county is $59.00 per week which is not feasible.

The only means of public transportation is through Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS). PACS provides transportation for eligible riders within limited operational hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday). Although PACS is intended to be utilized by low-income individuals, there is still a fare of $2.00 to $4.00 per trip. For those persons who must depend on PACS for their daily transportation to and from work, the cost becomes excessive.

Of the 1,998 families living in poverty, 42% are headed by females and the rate of birth mothers under age 19 is 19.3%. Of the county residents between the ages of 16 and 19 years, 16.7% are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates. The factors along with lack of affordable child care and transportation contribute to a poverty rate of 17.2%.

According to our Family Needs Assessments and a survey of our current Head Start parents, additional needs in the county include a better literacy program, a spouse abuse refuge, assistance for the male homeless population, a respite program for families with special needs children and variation in Health Department hours. Hopkins county is fortunate to have a community college and technical school. The county also has several health related centers such as the Regional Medical Center, a sports rehabilitation center, and a cancer center. Unfortunately, a large portion of the population does not qualify for medicaid, yet do not earn enough income to purchase health insurance.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Livingston County has a total of 515 children ages 0-4 years. Of this 515 children, an estimated 38 children are eligible for Head Start and 30 children are eligible for the KERA program. Currently, we are funded to serve only 20 children in the Head Start program. No child care services available in Livingston County. Our parent surveys reflected a great need for child care.

There are 339 families living in poverty in Livingston County. Females head 24.4% of those households. The county's high school drop-out rate is 9.3%. Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. is the only means of public transportation with a fare ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per trip. Public housing is not available within the county. The lack of day care and reasonably priced housing, and inadequate public transportation, are all contributing factors to a poverty rate of 15.5%.

LYON COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Lyon County has a population of 260 children ages 0-4 years of which 18 are eligible for Head Start with 17 slots allotted. An additional 15 children are served through the KERA preschool program. Day care center have only 75 slots for children age 0-12 years; an average of 6.25 slots per age group. No night-time care is available after 6:00 p.m. According to a survey of current Head Start parents, the day care centers charge the same rate for full-full and as well part-time care. This results in the second highest average weekly cost of child care in our service area.

Ten percent (10.7%) of persons age 16 to 19 years are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates. Birth mothers under age 19 is 10.2%. Of the 165 families living in poverty, 32.7% are headed by females. The unemployment rate is relatively low at 6.7%. Yet the personal income per capita is $12,145. This indicates that although 93.3% of the people are employed, they are employed at very low paying or temporary/ seasonal jobs. Public transportation is provided by the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS) charging fares of $2.00 to $4.00 per trip. Limited child care and public transportation make it difficult for persons to secure employment or to return to school. Therefore, there is a poverty level of 14.3% in Lyon County.

MCLEAN COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

McLean County has a total of 588 children age 0-4 years. Head start has 56 eligible children with only 20 allotted slots. An additional 33 children are served by the KERA preschool program. There are two day care centers located in the county serving 61 children ages 0-12. This is an average of 5 slots per age group. Neither of the child care centers provide transportation or night-time care; nor do they accept subsidized child care payments, therefore, not meeting the needs identified by the parents we surveyed.

Of the 451 families living in poverty, 29.7% are headed by females. 17.6% of birth mothers are under the age of 19. Of the county residents aged 16 to 19 years, 20.9% are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates. The unemployment rate is 12%. Public transportation is provided only by the Green River Intracounty Transit System (GRITS) charging fares from $1.20 to $2.20 per trip. This becomes a very costly means of transportation for persons relying on GRITS for transportation to and from work or school. Each of these factors contribute to a high poverty rate of 19.2% for the county.

MUHLENBERG COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Muhlenberg County has a population of 1,912 children ages 0-4 years of which 196 are eligible for Head Start. Head Start is currently serving only 94 or 47.9% of the eligible children. In addition, an estimated 162 of those children are eligible for and are being served by the KERA preschool program. Eight child care centers and three Family Day Care homes provide a total of 317 child care slots for children ages 0-12 years. Therefore, of the 956 three and four year old children within the county, approximately 343 can be enrolled in a child care or preschool facility. Furthermore, according to parent and Family Service Worker surveys, there is a great need for night-time and weekend child care. The Green River Correctional Complex and the Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise Fossil Plant employ nearly 1,000 county residents, many of whom work night and swing shifts. Currently, there is only one child care center that provides night-time care with limited slots.

In Muhlenberg County, 18.9% of birth mothers are under age 19. Of the 1,558 families living in poverty, 31.3% are headed by females. The high school drop-out rate is 19.8%; the unemployment rate is 9.6%. Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS) is the only provider of public transportation. PACS has limited service hours and fares range of $2.00 to $4.00 per trip, therefore, not adequately meeting the needs of the low-income families in the county.

Muhlenberg is a large rural county with a land area of 474 miles. Although we currently provide services within seven geographical locations, the areas of Lake Malone and Rosewood are in need of Head Start and/or KERA services. The lack of available space to provide these programs is prohibits the provision of such services.

OHIO COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Ohio county has a total of 1,416 children age 0-4 years of which 166 are eligible for Head Start. At this time, Head Start is funded to serve only 60 of those eligible children. An additional 107 children are estimated to be served by the KERA program. The five child care facilities within the county provide 231 slots for children age 0-12 years, an average of 19.25 per age group. Of the 708 three and four year old children in Ohio County, only 205 can be served by day care or preschool programs.

Females head 25% of the 1,265 households living in poverty. Of the county's birth mothers, 22.7% are under age 19. The high school dropout rate is 15.1%. The unemployment rate is at 9.5% with a personal income per capita at $12,678, indicating that those residents who are employed are working at low-paying or temporary/seasonal jobs. Public transportation is available only through GRITS providing limited hours of service and fares ranging from $1.20 to $2.20 per trip. All of these factors, along with the limited child care services, contribute to a poverty rate of 23.6%.

TODD COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Todd county has a total of 752 children age 0-4 years. Seventy of those children are eligible for Head Start; yet only 17 slots are funded in the county. The local school system also serves approximately 145 children in their KERA program. There are three child care centers and one family day care home providing 113 slots for children ages 0-12 years. This is an average of nine slots per age group. This leaves 554 of the 752 children age 0-4 without child care or preschool.

Of the 469 families living in poverty, 29.6% are headed by females. Of the birth mothers residing in the county, 14.7% are under age 19. The high school dropout rate is 18.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, coupled with a poverty rate of 18.8%, it indicates employment is available, but does not provide sufficient income to support families. Inadequate public transportation is also a factor contributing to the poverty level of the community. Transportation is provided only by the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS) with limited service hours and high rates.

TRIGG COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

The 0-4 population in Trigg County is 596; 52 of which are eligible for Head Start. Head Start is currently serving 38%, or 20, of the estimated eligible children in Trigg County. The school system is also serving 48 children in the KERA program and eight in the PACE program. There are two child care centers and one family day care home in the county providing only 80 slots for children age 0-12 years, an average of 6.67 slots per age group. Therefore, only 104 of the 596 children age 0-4 can attend day care or preschool. Trigg county has a land area of 443 miles. With only four locations for child care and/or preschool, many the children cannot attend child care facilities due to the distance alone. Parents surveyed also expressed a need for affordable, flexible day care for third shifts.

Of the 466 families living in poverty, 71.4% are headed by females. The high-school dropout rate is 11.8%. The unemployment rate is only 6.1% but the personal income per capita in 1992 was just over $14,000. This indicates that available employment is at low pay or are temporary/seasonal positions. Public transportation is provided to the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. (PACS) which have limited service hours and fares too high for the low-income families who must rely on PACS for transportation. These factors along with limited child care, factors into a poverty rate of 18%.

UNION COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

There are 991 children ages 0-4 years residing in Union County. Of those children, 108 are eligible for Head Start. Currently, Head Start in Union County is funded for 20 slots. The school system is serving 110 children in the KERA program. Four child care centers provide services to 195 children ages 0-12 years for an average of 16.25 slots per age group. As a result, approximately 796 children age 0-4 are without available child care or preschool.

Of the 505 families living in poverty, 51.4% are headed by females. 19.2% of birth mothers in the county are below age 19. Of persons age 16 to 19 years, 33.2% -- one third -- are not enrolled in school and not high school graduates. These astounding numbers contribute to a high poverty rate of 22.1%.

Of the staff and parents surveyed, literacy was the need with the highest priority. Two of the obstacles preventing persons from attending GED or literacy classes, are inadequate and unaffordable child care and transportation. Public transportation is offered through the Green River Intracounty Transit System (GRITS), but the service hours and fare rates are not feasible to most of the county residents who are in need of transportation.

WEBSTER COUNTY

Community Needs Assessment

Statistical Analysis

Webster County has a total of 863 children age 0-4 years, 70 of which are eligible for Head Start. Head Start is currently providing services to 40 children within the county. The school system is serving 84 children in the KERA program. Two child care centers and four family day care homes have only 74 slots available for children ages 0-12 for an average of six slots per age group. Therefore, 715 of 863 children ages 0-4 cannot be served by a day care or preschool program. In addition, parents have stressed a need for night time care and after school care.

Of the 527 families living in poverty, 26.5% are headed by females. Of the number of birth mothers residing in the county, 21.5% are under the age of 19. Of persons age 16 to 19, 16.8% are not enrolled in school and not high school graduates.

Personal income per capita in 1992 was $17,152.00 which is one of the highest in the Audubon service area. Yet the unemployment rate is only one of the five highest in the area at 8.2%. This is attributed to the fact that coal mines are the largest employer in the county. Although coal miners receive a high rate of pay, they are often laid-off for more time than they are working during the year, contributing to a poverty rate of 16.5%.

Public transportation is an increasing need with GRITS providing only limited services. Although GRITS is intended to be utilized by low-income individuals, there is still a fare of $1.20 to $2.20 per trip. For those persons who must depend on GRITS for their daily transportation to and from work, the cost becomes excessive.