FOREWORD Knoxville/Knox County’s Community Action Committee has been compiling needs assessment information and developing plans to address those needs for many years. Regular updates ensure that CAC stays abreast of the changing needs of the people we serve in our community and allow CAC to reconfigure resources accordingly. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding requires the compilation of a Community Action Plan, and CAC supports this approach. Needs assessments and action plans are key elements of any successful planning process. Assembling the Community Action Plan is a two-step process. First, demographic data is compiled using census data, web site sources, locally compiled data, and the expertise of local experts in areas pertinent to social problems and social services. Surveys are used to gather input from the community, CAC Board members and CAC’s clients. Then, CAC programs develop action plans designed to address identified problem areas. Problems are addressed through CAC services and by partnering with other service providers, developing linkages and fostering new partnerships, and advocating on behalf of clients and their community. Additionally, CAC chooses to include National Performance Indicator Outcome Information in its action plan. The primary beneficiaries of CAC’s annual planning process are the people we serve. They know CAC adjusts resources and programs to focus on the important and significant needs in the community. Other beneficiaries include the staff, the Board, families, and the community at large. For additional information, please contact: Barbara Kelly Executive Director P.O. Box 51650 Knoxville, TN 37950-1650 Phone: (865) 546-3500 Fax: (865) 546-0832 Email: barbara.kelly@knoxcac.org

www.knoxcac.org

“CAC: Helping People. Changing Lives.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEEDS ASSESSMENT…………………………………………….…………… Page 1 Social Indicator Summary………………………………………………….. Page 3 Results of CAC Board, CAC Client & Community Surveys………….…… Page 5 CAC Board Surveys

Overview of CAC Board Member Survey Results…….…………………… Page 5 CAC Client Surveys…………………………………………………………. Page 5

Client Survey: Individual & Family Level…………………………………. Page 7 Client Survey: Neighborhood & Community Level…………………...…… Page 8

Community Survey…………………………................................................... Page 8

Community Survey: Household Level……………………………………….Page 8 Community Key Informant Survey: Individual Level……………………… Page 9 FOOD NEEDS…………………………………………………………………… Page 9 Knox County Department of Human Services……………………..………. Page 10 NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES…………………………………...… Page 10 OTHER NEEDS ASSESSMENT INFORMATION…………………….………. Page 12 Homelessness……………………………………………………………… Page 12

Lay offs, Unemployment & Underemployment………………………….… Page 13

The Elderly………………………………………………………………….. Page 13

Transportation……………………………………………………………… Page 14

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………. Page 16 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM TARGETED TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN SERVICE AREA….. Page 16 LINKAGES DEVELOPED TO FILL SERVICE GAPS………………………… Page 17 DESCRIPTION OF HOW FUNDING UNDER CSBG ACT WILL BE COORDINATED WITH OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES………………………………………………….............Page 18 SUMMARY OF GOALS AND OCTCOMES OBJECTIVE MEASURES………Page 18

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Needs Assessment

In an effort to use the most recent data available, we have cited the 2010 Census when possible; however, we have relied heavily on the 2005-2009 American Community Survey results that are more representative of trends given the 5 year rolling data available in that report. We have used information from the 2006-10 American Community Survey where possible. The 2010-2011 Needs Assessment also used significant input from the Head Start / Early Head Start Community Assessment Update 2011, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, University of Tennessee, United Way, Knox County Health Department and CAC’s board members and clients. All Sources include:

1. Census 2010, U.S. Census Bureau State and County, QuickFacts. 2. 2005-09 American Community Survey. 3. 2006-10 American Community Survey. 4. “Head Start / Early Head Start Community Assessment Update 2011,” prepared

by Nancy Thomas, Knoxville-Knox County Head Start Assistant Director, Program Manager & Support Services.

5. The Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) website, http://www.knoxmpc.org.

6. “Homelessness in Knoxville/Knox County: 2011-2012,” a study conducted by Knoxville-Knox County Homeless Coalition, Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (Knox HMIS) and Dr. Roger Nooe, Emeritus of University of Tennessee Department of Social Work and Director of Social Services at the Public Defender’s Community Law Office.

7. “Food Equity in Knox County, 2008 Community Assessment,” Public Health Nutrition Graduate Program, November 24, 2008, University of Tennessee.

8. KIDS COUNT 2011 Data Book, National and state-by-state data on key indicators on child well-being.

9. Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Unemployment Rates http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/news/UIRATE.htm.

10. Source for length of time on UI: Omari Winbush in presentation to State Workforce Board meeting, May 18, 2012.

11. Murray, M., An Economic Report to the Governor of the State of Tennessee.

Center for Business and Economic Research, UT. Knoxville, TN http://cber.bus.utk.edu/erg/erg12ch3.pdf.

12. Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau SAIPE) http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe.

13. Bureau of Labor, http://www.bls.gov. 14. Population Reference Bureau analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Decennial Census Summary File 1 and Summary File 3 and the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-year data. Updated February 2012.

15. Report on food stamp usage in Knox County 2011-2012, Larry Crooks, Director Knox County Office, TN Department of Human Services.

16. USDA Household Food Security 2010, September 2011, http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR125/err125.pdf.

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17. Census 2010 Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) Knox County Census Tracts, Summarized by the Knoxville/Knox Metropolitan Planning Commission, March 22, 2011.

18. “Education and Economic Well-Being,” Matthew N. Murray, Ball Corporation Professor of Business & Associate Director of the Center for Business & Economic Research, The University of Tennessee, March 31, 2011.

19. Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2010 American Community Survey.

20. 2006 Demographic Profile (prepared by UT College of Social Work Office of Research and Public Service – SWORPS).

21. 2011 Knox County Health Assessment Executive Summary, January 2012 22. 2011 Forces for Change Assessment, Knox County, Tennessee, Together!

Healthy Knox, Knox County Health Department, “Every Person, A Healthy Person.”

23. The National Council on Aging, http://www.ncoa.org, “One in Six Seniors Lives in Poverty, New Analysis Finds,” Ken Schwartz, January 24, 2011.

24. Knoxville News Sentinel, December 14, 15 & 16, 2010; and June 16, 2012.

Additionally, the Community Action Plan includes the results of board member and client surveys. These and other materials used in the preparation of this plan are not attached, but they are available upon request from the Needs Assessment file maintained at CAC’s Central Office.

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Social Indicator Summary

Based on the 2010 American Community Survey Knox County has had a 13.1% growth in population since the 2000 census, increasing from a population of 382,032 to 432,226. The City of Knoxville experienced more moderate 2.9% growth during the period from 173,890 to 178,874. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the state and in Knox County, although the total number of Hispanics in Knox County is relatively small. This population has increased from 2,067 in 1990 to 4,803 in 2000 and increased again to 14,924 in 2010. (See Chart 4)

The 2010 American Community Survey figures indicate that the racial profile for Knox County is 85.6% white; 8.8% Black / Afro American; and 3.4% Hispanics; and 2.2% Asian and other. (See Chart 2) In 2010, the poverty rate for Knox County increased to 14% to 57,972 individuals. In Knoxville and Knox County poverty falls disproportionately on persons based on race, age, gender, income and place / neighborhood. (See Chart 1, 2 & 12) Poverty in Knoxville and Knox County as falls disproportionally on women and children. About one-third of the poor in Knoxville and Knox County are children under the age of 18. Adult females make up 36.6% of the poor population as compared with 27% for adult males. Poverty also falls disproportionately by place / neighborhoods. Based on the 2005-2009 American Community Survey (census data), the Brookings Institution has identified the reemergence of concentrated poverty. These are areas where at least 40% of individuals live below the poverty line. In Knox County, there are ten (10) census tracts identified as extreme poverty tracts. These tracts are located primarily in the City of Knoxville. 27,539 people live in areas of extreme poverty. 23% of the poor population (13,348) lives in these 10 census tracts. (See Chart 5 & 6)

While more people are coming to our area, overall our city is growing to meet the needs of the growth. Examples of this would be new retailers coming to the area typically only in larger cities, seniors having a wide variety of educational, health, and recreational opportunities, the housing market beginning to recover with construction projects in progress again; however, this is not the case for all of our neighborhoods and the citizens. The center of the city continues to move westward with the more people moving further from downtown and toward the new services and resources. Those with higher educational levels and more discretional income are taking advantage of the resources that have come with our city’s growth. (See Chart 7) Formerly, the elderly (those age 65 and above) were not disproportionately represented among the poor. This was primarily due to the indexing of social security to the consumer price index. This has changed as aging persons feel the effects of declining real estate values and retirement income as well as increases in fuel and food prices.

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The current way of measuring poverty gives no consideration to health care costs among other problems. High medical bills for the elderly reduce the amount of income to meet other needs, and medical costs are the leading reason for loss of economic status (moving into poverty) among the elderly. Unemployed children and grandchildren returning to live with the aging parents further stress modest retirement incomes. In all economic groups, but especially in the low-income community, grandparents are increasingly raising grandchildren and great grandchildren due to the stress of family break-up, addiction, and the incarceration of parents. This same study tracts changes in neighborhood poverty rates, showing where there has been a change in the concentrated poverty rate and providing good information for program planning and outreach efforts. With regard to educational attainment, 31,186 persons 25 years and older had attained less than high school graduation. The poverty rate for these individuals was 26.5% in 2010. This compares to a poverty rate of 9.4% for high school graduates (including equivalency). The poverty rate for those attaining a Bachelor’s degree or higher was 3.3% in 2010. Access to private insurance is also closely linked to educational attainment. Of those that have a college degree, over 80% have health insurance. Of those who have only a high school education, only a little more than 40% have health insurance. (See Charts 8-10)

The civilian labor force comprised 240,220 persons in May 2011; 17,770 persons were unemployed which is 7.4%. This is a lower rate that the state unemployment rate (9.7%) and lower than the national rate of 9.1%. Of those employed, approximately 7.1% were below poverty accounting for approximately 15, 620 working poor persons. (See Chart 11) As poverty increases the number of families experiencing food insecurity increases also. Food insecurity is defined as “the state of being unable to attain or denied access to a consistent supply of food.” Second Harvest Food Bank reports that those seeking food assistance increased by 28%. Similar increases are reported by the Emergency Food Helpers, a coalition of churches and pantries in Knox County that provides emergency food. Food Stamp usage has increased in the state and in Knox County over the past six years as the number of children eligible to receive free and reduced price school meals. In the Food Hardship Rate established by The Food Action Research Center has established “food hardship” rankings. Tennessee ranks 10th in the 15th worst states on the households with children measure at 28.8% of households with children experiencing “food hardship.” At 29.2%, Knoxville ranks 13th of the 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas with the highest rates of food hardship for families with children. The rate for households without children the rate was 18.7%. While the rate for households without children is high, the rate for households with children is far worse. This is another indication of the extent of children poverty and the impact in terms of hunger, poor nutrition, poor health and low birth weight.

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Community gardeners cite the cost of food as the main reason for participating in community gardens. Almost 60% said they gardened because it saved them money on food and a similar percent selected “cheaper food” as the most important factor in buying food. Results of CAC Board Surveys, CAC Client Surveys and Community Surveys

CAC Board Surveys

CAC Board members were surveyed. From a list of services, Board members were asked to rank the services 1-10, with 1 being the most important service, and 10 being the least important service in meeting current community needs. They were also asked to identify other needs that should be studied and considered for future planning. The results of the ranking are summarized in the following tables. Overview of CAC Board Member Survey Results

Priority Rank (Rated as 1st or 2nd choice of

Board members)

Description of Service

1st Helping people become more self-sufficient by getting and

keeping a job.

2nd Helping people become more self-sufficient through education

by increasing literacy, getting a GED, obtaining job training or post secondary education.

3rd Helping elderly people to live independently in their homes and prevent the high cost of institutionalization.

In all 3 tables of board results, getting and keeping a job and obtaining education are consistently rated in the top 3 positions. Board members selected elderly as their 3rd most important priority looking at their 1st or 2nd choices. When the top 3 choices of board members are counted, transportation jumps to the number one spot and helping people with crisis/emergencies ties for 3rd. If we consider, overall interest of the board in their top 5 choices, getting and keeping a job remains in the top priority, and case management ties for 2nd with education.

Priority Rank (Rated as 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice of

Board members)

Description of Service

1st Helping people access needed services such as medical, mental health and other treatments, social services, grocery shopping, and other needed services through transportation.

2nd Helping people become more self-sufficient by getting and

keeping a job.

3rd was an exact tie between education

& crisis / emergency

Helping people become more self-sufficient through education by increasing literacy, getting a GED, obtaining job training or post secondary education.

3rd

Helping people in crisis avoid utility shut-off, eviction, or

other emergencies.

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Overall Interest (Rated as 1st – 5th choices of

Board members)

Description of Service

1st Helping people become more self-sufficient by getting and

keeping a job.

2nd was an exact tie between education &

comprehensive case management

Helping people become more self-sufficient through education by increasing literacy, getting a GED, obtaining job training or post secondary education.

2nd Helping low-income families move out of poverty by providing comprehensive case management services .

The board values all services provided by CAC and the rest of the services listed on the survey were also chosen several times. Because the total number of surveys was small, the difference at this level is not significant. The other services listed for selection ranked as follows:

• Providing financial education programs.

• Helping low-income people meet their food needs by community gardening.

• Insuring access to emergency food pantries by providing staff support to Emergency Food Helpers.

Board members are consistent in their assessment of what services they feel are necessary to address individual and community needs and problems. Getting and keeping a job and helping people become more self-sufficient through education by increasing literacy, getting a GED, obtaining job training or post secondary education were ranked at the top by the Board. This reflects the Board’s understanding of recent economic conditions of our community with high unemployment and underemployment. They know all too well the strong link between level of education as it relates to the ability to secure employment and especially, employment at a living wage. When looking at the top 3 choices of the board, they indicate that access is the most important piece of the puzzle. Low income people must be able to obtain reliable transportation or utilize cost-effective public transportation to reach their jobs, child care, healthcare appointments and other places of responsibility and resources. When looking at their top 5 choices, the board members marked comprehensive case management highly. This indicates the Board’s understanding that the persons in poverty have complex, often long-term issues and barriers and require case management to move to the next level of independence. While it is sometimes difficult to fund case management, experience tells us that not providing it is actually more costly to the tax payer. When asked to identify other needs that should be studied and considered for future

planning, the Board suggested: making a concerted effort to reach out to people who need the services but may not know about them often because they live in rural areas or have never used public assistance, providing budgeting and financial literacy, and securing more case managers for homeless prevention services which is a cost effective way to address this issue.

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When asked what CAC should keep doing the Board responded to continue to: include people served by CAC programs, keep people in their homes, provide transportation to essential services, provide education through Head Start, provide early intervention through Early Head Start, provide job training, provide nutrition through Mobile Meals, communicate to the community about the need for donations and volunteers to do the good work, provide advocacy for those without a voice and keep the heart of a Servant Leader at the center CAC’s mission. CAC Client Surveys

CAC clients were surveyed in April 2012. Clients surveyed range from 100% of poverty to 200% of poverty, representing many of our working poor neighbors. From a specific list of Needs/Problems, clients were asked to check those that applied to them or any member of the family. Clients were also asked to give their opinions about problems in the community. Again using a specific list, clients were asked to check the five (5) most serious problems in their community. Each CSBG funded component was asked to distribute 20-25 surveys. The survey results are tabulated in the following table.

Client Survey: Individual and Family Level

Rank Needs/Problems

Of 118, Number Selecting Problem

Of 118, Percent

Selecting Problem

1 Can’t pay utility bill 78 66%

2 Finding a job 53 45%

3 Transportation 46 39%

4 Money for rent or house payment 44 37%

5 Health problem 40 34%

6 Money for food 36 31%

7 House needs repair 29 25%

8 After school care for children 17 14%

9 Daycare for children 14 12%

10 Drug or alcohol problem 14 12%

12 Using check cashing services, title pawn, rent to own, or tax preparation with high fees

11 1%

11 Care for elderly family member 6 .5%

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Client Survey: Neighborhood & Community Level

Rank Needs/Problems Of 118, Number

Selecting Problem

Of 118, Percent

Selecting Problem

1 Unemployment 74 63%

2 Lack of good paying jobs 65 55%

3 Crime 40 34%

3 Drug abuse 40 34%

4 Lack of job training 37 31%

5 Inadequate transportation 34 30.9%

6 Lack of affordable housing 36 30.5%

7 Lack of recreation programs 24 20%

8 Mental illness 23 21%

9 Homelessness 21 19%

10 Inadequate health care 19 16%

11 Lack of programs to help elderly 15 13%

12 Hunger 14 12%

13 Teen Pregnancy 11 1%

14 Illiteracy 10 .8%

Community Survey

The Executive Summary of the “Knox County Community Health Assessment” was released in January of 2012 for the 2011 year. The surveys included both quantitative and qualitative data including yes/no questions, rating scales and opportunities for open-ended responses in areas of community strengths and areas of concern, opinions about community issues, support services and resources in Knox County and concerns related to health, medical, and mental health issues. The survey results are tabulated in the following tables. Of the 908 Household Surveys received, 14.9% of respondents made less than $10,000 a year. This was a good response from our lowest income bracket given that only 7.4% of people in Knox County make less than $10,000 a year. The largest group who responded at 28.5% made between $50,000 and $99,000. Household Survey results were:

Needs/Problems Percent chosen

Not having health insurance 56.6%

Smoking 54.3%

Obesity 52.5%

Poverty 43.5%

Low Education Levels 34.6%

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Key Informant Surveys were received from 118 people in a variety of different occupational settings including professionals, managers, health care workers, homemakers and industrial or agricultural workers. The results were:

Needs/Problems Percent chosen

Underemployment / unemployment 58.3%

Not having health insurance 56.6%

Obesity 54.9%

Lack of Jobs 52.2%

Poverty 47.3%

Low Education Levels 34.6%

When asked to pick the immediate concerns, the three choices were economic concerns:

1) Underemployment / unemployment 58.3% 2) Lack of jobs 26.9% 3) Poverty 24.1%

A total of 1162 people were surveyed. All of the respondents clearly indicated getting and keeping good quality jobs as the top need in our area. Adequate transportation, training, and education are all necessary to achieve this goal. Next addressing basic needs that go unmet due to poverty are indicated. Some of the most common needs that go unmet are the inability to pay utilities, to have access to transportation to work or to medical appointments, and at times to have enough food to eat. Once the education, training and transportation are addressed living wage jobs will become more accessible to them. With that, health insurance and the ability to take care of the other basic needs can be managed without any assistance. On a larger level, the more we are able to assist frail elderly, homeless and/or mentally ill to remain independent and avoid being institutionalized is the less costly to tax payers. Often this is most efficiently done through targeted case management. Food Needs

Food insecurity is defined as “the state of being unable to obtain or denied access to a consistent supply of food.” Food insecurity describes the condition of those who are literally unsure where their next meal is coming from. Second Harvest reported 14.3% of Knox County residents as food insecure between 2010 and 2011. This represents more than 60,730 food insecure persons in Knox County. Since the economic recession of 2008, there has been an increase of the number of children who are eligible for free and reduced meals at school. From 2003 to 2006, 31% to 39% of the total school population required assistance. From 2009 to 2012, 39% -48.3% of the children needed food assistance at school indicating an increase in the number of families struggling financially.

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School

Year

Total Enrollment

(average daily

membership)

Number of Economically

Disadvantaged Children

Percent eligible for free or

reduced meals

2011-12

56,239

23,242

41.3%

2010-11

55,519

21,530

38.8%

2009-10

55,459

26,775

48.3%

Department of Human Services There are 35,290 active food stamp cases currently in Knox County. About 10 to 15 percent of these households also receive cash assistance in the manner of Families First benefits. A little over 9,000 of the food stamp households have some type of earned income though it is not enough to provide for their basic needs of food, shelter and transportation. Around 7,000 receive social security retirement or disability and about 11,000, or approximately a third report zero income. Food stamp usage has increased 30% since economic recession which began in 2008. This along with the other data, clearly shows that more people in our community are in greater need of food. Needs of Children and Families

The percentage of children in poverty is even higher than the general population, with the Kids Count 2011 report based on 2009 statistics showing 18.6% of children in Knox County living in poverty, compared to 24% in Tennessee.

Poverty levels in Knox County and Tennessee were estimated to be highest in female headed households. In Knox County in 2008, 63.6% of female heads of household living with their related children under the age of 5 were living below the poverty level.

Families require an income of roughly twice the poverty guidelines to meet basic family needs – rent, utilities, child care, food, and health care, as reported in Kids Count 2011. As a result, families require assistance in these areas through emergency services, direct services from Head Start/Early Head Start staff, and community resources. Head Start Centers serve children and parents from low-income families in Knoxville and Knox County. CAC’s Head Start Program processed approximately 1,600 applications for 860 preschool and 128 infant/toddler slots for the 2011-2012 school year. Head Start typically serves approximately 33% of the eligible low income preschoolers in Knox County. Through Knox County Schools, an additional 29% of children are served. This leaves about 1,000 children without educational programs. Some of those children are served in local daycare centers or daycare homes. A bigger need and priority in the community has been the expansion of services to infants and toddlers. The Early Head Start program served only 3% of the estimated number of low income infants and toddlers in the community. This leaves unserved an estimated 3,726 infants and toddlers.

There are few child care services in the community for infants and toddlers. Quality child care is unaffordable for many families and the current slot level for the Early Head Start program is 128 children.

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Income information taken from the 1,600 applications evidences the financial struggles these families face.

Annual Family Income Percentage of Head Start families

Less Than $10,000 54%

$10,000 to $20,000 29%

$20,000 + 17%

Once again, the strong relationship between educational attainment and annual income can be demonstrated. And, the table clearly shows the disproportionate level of poverty among the 1,600 Head Start families.

Educational Level Achieved Percentage of Head Start head of households

Less Than High School Diploma 31%

High School Diploma/GED 60%

More Than High School Diploma 9%

Break out the statistics for educational level achievement for the 288 Hispanic families applying to Head Start for the 2011-12 school year and the picture is even more troublesome.

Educational Level Achieved Percentage of Hispanic Head Start Applicants

Less Than High School Diploma 58%

With a High School Diploma / GED 42%

With more than a High School Diploma / GED 0%

Many Hispanic families are low-income and work at low-paying jobs in housekeeping, factories, food service, lawn care, and construction. Often benefits are not provided. Undocumented immigrants are unable to obtain higher paying jobs with benefits. The inability to communicate effectively in English, lack of transportation, ineligibility for services requiring birth certificates, driver’s licenses, or green cards pushes many Hispanics into the “neediest” or “vulnerable” categories. Children whose parents’ educational attainment is less than the general population often experience lower literacy rates. School readiness suffers, as can exposure to print and the availability of books or reading time in the home. For some populations, English Language Learners classes are crucial. Knoxville’s inner city continues to have the highest concentration of children and families in poverty. Public housing developments are primarily located in the inner city as well. Over the past few years, the number of families receiving Section 8 vouchers has increased allowing these families to locate wherever landlords accept the rental subsidy voucher. Many families have moved to the western and northern section of Knoxville and Knox County, representing a demographic shift and an integration of low-income families into the larger community.

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Other Needs Assessment Information

Homelessness

Information in this section is taken from “Homelessness in Knoxville/Knox County: 2011-2012. Since 1986, the Knoxville--‐Knox County Homeless Coalition (KKCHC) has conducted a biennial survey and enumeration of individuals experiencing homelessness in Knoxville. In 2004, the director of the study, Dr. Roger Nooe, partnered with Dr. David Patterson of the UT College of Social Work to implement the Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (KnoxHMIS), a secure online database to connect service providers and generate community--‐wide statistics about homelessness in real--‐time. Each year since its inception, KnoxHMIS has generated an annual report detailing the characteristics of individuals experiencing homelessness, services provided, and housing outcomes. This year, the Coalition study focuses on longitudinal data from KnoxHMIS that is presented to demonstrate the scope of homelessness in our community. In an effort to provide a single, authoritative source of information on homelessness for our community, data from KnoxHMIS and the 2012 Biennial Knoxville--‐Knox County Homeless Coalition Study are presented jointly.

The KKCHC data provides a detailed and in-depth look of at 236 individuals currently experiencing homelessness. KnoxHMIS data provides a comprehensive overview of 7,320 individuals accessing services from area homeless service providers. vast array of information to allow readers to better understand the scope and complexity of homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County. The data compiled for this study and national data from the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress show a modest increase in the overall numbers of individual accessing services for homelessness. However, the economic recession of 2008 appears to have negatively impacted some groups more than others. Family homelessness, especially among single mothers, continues to increase both in the Knoxville-Knox County area and across the nation. While chronic homelessness has been slowly trending downward nationally, the opposite is true for our community. However, some of this increase may be explained by improved data collection techniques. Here are a few key findings from the study:

• Each month in 2011, an average of 1,595 people access services for

homelessness. For the year, the total number of individuals utilizing services was 7,320—a 3 percent increase over 2010.

• Ten percent of homeless individuals accessing services self‐report a mental illness, 33 percent have received treatment for mental illness while homeless.

• Between 21-25 percent of individuals report that loss of a job caused them to lose their home.

• Fourteen percent of individuals that were homeless during 2011 are employed.

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• Twenty-four percent of individuals experiencing homelessness report a disability of long duration.

• Single female parents comprise 9 percent of the total population experiencing homelessness.

• Eighty percent of individuals experiencing homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County report a last permanent address in Knox or a surrounding county.

• Fifty-seven percent of homeless individuals are originally from Tennessee.

• In 2011, 791 children under the age of ten (10) accessed homeless services with a family member.

Layoffs, Unemployment & Underemployment

Knox County has seen a decline in the unemployment rate since peak points of the recession. The March 2012 unemployment rate for Knox County was 5.7%. This was the lowest rate among urban counties in Tennessee. Tennessee’s unemployment rate for March 2012 was 7.9% and the US rate for the same month was 8.2%. This is an improvement over the 8.7% unemployment rates Knox County experienced during some months in 2009 and 2010. However, it still represents a larger percentage of the workforce without employment when compared to pre-recession statistics. Knox County’s annual unemployment rate was 3.6% in 2007, with occasional months dipping below 3%. During July 2011 – June 2012, layoffs in Knox County have affected more than 1350 individuals. While this is an improvement over the large layoffs that occurred during 2008 – 2009, the impact for those individuals losing their jobs is still significant. Major dislocations during the 2011-2012 time-period included 194 individuals at TMSI – GE Distribution Center, 331 individuals at Teton Transportation, and 300 individuals at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute. While the number of jobs available to un- and under-employed individuals is increasing, many individuals have now been unemployed for many months. The average length of unemployment in Tennessee is 17 weeks. Some individuals are now counting their time on unemployment in months or even years. This taxes individual family networks and support groups, as well as stressing community safety nets. The Elderly

The increased number of our aging citizens is the most glaring demographic statistic associated with the aging population in Knox County. CAC’s Office on Aging hosted “Needs Assessment 2012” at the John T. O’Connor Senior Center on May 10, 2012. At this meeting, Jim Shulman, Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, provided the following projections for Tennessee: While there is modest growth for younger age brackets from 0-54 years of age with the highest bracket in this range being only 7.5%, the older age population brackets are expected dramatically in the next decade.

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The population of 60-64 year olds is projected to grow 26% while the population of ages 65-74 will grow 45.7%. Currently, there are 75 million baby boomers in the U.S. representing about 29% of the population. In Knox County we have 18.7% of the population who are 60 and above. We also expect to see the same type of growth in the aging population locally that is reflected nationally and at the state level in the next decade. According to the 2010 Community Health Status Assessment, in Knox County from 2000 to 2009, the population for 50-59 year olds grew 36.3% and the population of 60-69 year olds grew the most at 45.9% The aging services network must be prepared to face the increased need and demand for services based on the aging population surge that has begun and will continue; however, affordable services are already inadequate to meet the current needs. To this end, the Office on Aging is now compiling the information and preparing a report from the May meeting. Initial data indicates that the economic conditions since 2008 have resulted in more seniors needing of food, transportation and other basic help. Many vital programs have come out of past needs assessments to meet the needs of seniors like the Gift of Sight, Hearing & Dentures, Affordable Medicine Options for Seniors, Volunteer Assisted Transportation, CHIPS (Computers for Homebound& Isolated Program, PAWS (Placing Animals with Seniors). Analysis of the needs identified and our actions taken as a result will be fully reflected in the 2013 Community Action Plan. Transportation

Transportation is a crucial issue for many Knox County residents. Knoxville’s public transit program, Knox Area Transportation (KAT) is available to serve most of the 178,874 persons who live within the city, leaving 253,352 (58.6% of the total population) who live in the county outside the city, without public transportation. Many of the people who live in the county need access to transportation to go to the doctor, to the grocery store, and/or to work. We know from previous Community Action Plans, as well as community and regional needs assessments, that access to living wage jobs consistently is rated in the top priorities.

Steps CAC has taken to address this to date are through the CAC Transit’s Job Ride program funded by Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) funds. In PY 2011, CAC Transit provided 13,727 trips for employment and training for low income individuals who did not have access to KAT. Currently, there are 18 people on the waiting list for JARC services, who cannot take advantage of employment or training opportunities. However, we believe that there are many more who are not working now or who are working at lower paying jobs that could greatly benefit from transportation assistance. Reliable transportation, whether personal or public, is one of the most integral links to connect people to better jobs.

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In addition, there are people in need of transportation even if they live within the city limits. CAC Transit provides an average of 820 trips to Knox County residents that cannot be served by KAT, such as when a trip origin and/or destination is outside the KAT service area, or the timing of the trip is outside of the KAT scheduled service time. In the period of July 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012, CAC transported a total of 5,173 unduplicated individuals, 3,146 (61%) of them residing within the city limits.

The need to address transportation for seniors is growing. In the U.S. 10,000 Boomers turn 65 everyday, and 1 in every 5 seniors age 65+ do not drive. We know that the average senior outlives his or her ability to drive by 7-10 years. It is important for the safety of the seniors and the general public to address safe transportation options. Studies show that seniors overwhelmingly prefer to age in place in their existing homes and communities, and it is less costly to families and tax payers if they are able to remain at home.

Safe transportation to essential services for daily living and their health play a large part in the final decision whether the senior can maintain their independence and live at home or whether they must accept a move to institutional care to keep them safe.

In Knox County, there are 49,710 seniors who are 60+ years old and live outside of KAT’s service area. It is important to note that not only is the general population of seniors growing rapidly, but from 2000 to 2010, there was a 34% increase in the number of seniors 80+ years old living in Knox County. It follows that more services will be needed to meet the needs of seniors in general and specifically to meet the needs of those who are reaching their 80s, 90s and beyond. In Knox County, there are 15,477 seniors age 80 and older, with 50.4% living outside the city.

Through our previous needs assessments for the Office on Aging, we learned that there was another gap in Knox County transportation services. People who needed door-through-door or personal assistance to travel safely did not have a public transportation option. The CAC’s Office on Aging created the Volunteer Assisted Transportation (VAT) utilizing a demonstration grant from the National Center for Senior Transportation, followed by New Freedom Funds to continue the program operation. During PY 2011, trained and screened volunteers provided 442 trips for 69 persons, using agency-owned vehicles. Without VAT, they would not have been able to access vital services. There is a waiting list for this much needed service. The number of people served is limited by the number of volunteers available.

On a daily basis CAC can provide 39 round-trips for those who do not qualify for TennCare or other contract services, 18 of which are appointments for dialysis. This leaves only 21 trips a day for all other requests. At this time, with our current funding level, we are not able to take people to medical appointments that require multiple trips per week for therapies such as cardiac, post-stroke, pulmonary rehab and wound treatment. In our community, the Mercy Health System partnered with CAC for fourteen (14) years to provide Mercy Care Van transportation for more than 700 seniors to Mercy medical facilities and physician offices. On March 31, 2012, TennNova, the private healthcare company that bought out Mercy Health, terminated this transportation contract, contributing significantly to the unmet need for transportation. TennNova had no choice, because Medicare regulation prohibited them from continuing the service.

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Conclusion

The needs assessment information presented in this document clearly supports the continuation of a CSBG plan based on all six ROMA goals (Results Oriented Management and Accountability) and NPI (National Performance Indicators). ROMA encompasses the following specific CSBG services:

1. Employment 2. Emergency Services 3. Linkages/Transportation 4. Linkages/Elderly Services 5. Nutrition

NPI covers all or parts of all services provided by CAC, regardless of funding source. Description of Service Delivery System Targeted to Low-income Individuals and

Families in Service Area

Neighborhood Centers located in east, south, and west Knoxville, and in north Knox County are the focal points for service delivery to low-income individuals and families. The Centers are strategically located in the four quadrants of Knox County to provide residents equal access to services, information, and referral. Their specific locations are:

Quadrant Neighborhood Center Address

East 4019 Asheville Highway

North 7028 Maynardville Highway

South 522 Old Maryville Pike

West 2247 Western Avenue

The West Neighborhood Center is located in the L.T. Ross Building, which also houses many other programs operated by CAC. These include the Knoxville-Knox County Office on Aging, a Head Start Center, Workforce Connections, Energy and Housing Services, AmeriCorps, Homeward Bound, the Office of Community Services, the L.T. Ross Learning Center, and Central Office administration. In addition to CAC services, the building houses the Murphy Branch of the Knox County Library. CAC services are provided at other locations as well, including five Head Start Centers, the John T. O’Connor Senior Center, the Knox County Career Center, and the Daily Living Center. See CAC Program Directory for a complete listing of services targeted to low-income people. The delivery process for all CSBG services is similar. Applicants complete an application form that includes eligibility determination information, basic information about the individual and/or the family, and the types of services needed. Community Services Specialists have primary responsibility for intake, but other designated individuals may also take applications. Services are provided to any eligible individual or family who needs and desires to make use of the available service.

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If a particular caseload is full, individuals may be placed on a waiting list, referred to another CAC component, or referred to another agency able to meet the need. Individuals and families may be referred by other agencies or programs to CAC or may apply directly. For some services, a plan of service must be developed. For others, such as the garden program, provision of the seeds and plants constitutes the completion of service. The plan of service includes problem identification and the steps or actions to be taken to resolve the problem. A client release of information statement is secured so that information can be shared with other CAC components and outside agencies. When services are complete, the case is closed and the client is so notified. The differences in the ways each service is offered are described in each service’s admissions policies.

Linkages Developed to Fill Service Gaps

Linkages established to meet gaps in service are described more fully in the contract narratives for each CSBG service to be provided. Linkages are summarized as follows: • Linkages will continue between Workforce Connections and the Career Center to

help meet the need for jobs that pay a living wage and offer benefits. • CAC will continue to support the work of the Food Policy Council and Emergency

Food Helpers with regard to improvements in the food security system and the capacity to meet the need for emergency food.

• CAC will continue to link with other area providers of homeless services through participation and leadership in the Knoxville Knox County Homeless Coalition. Linkages with the city of Knoxville’s Department of Community Development and Knox County’s Department of Community Development provide the basis for working on issues related to homelessness, homeless prevention, and affordable housing.

• Linkages with employers and other transportation providers will continue to be a major focus of CAC’s Job Access program to connect people and jobs.

• Linkages with utility companies, faith based organizations, and Project Help will continue with regard to improvements in the system for handling shut-offs and other utility-related issues.

• CAC holds a position of leadership within the social services network. This makes it easier to consult on individual cases and bring groups together to work on various issues and problems. Planning activities will continue to address specific service gaps and the need to bring agencies and organizations together to set priorities and take steps to close identified gaps whenever possible.

• CAC provides services to children and families and the senior population through funding sources other than CSBG. Staff working in these programs have well established linkages in the community to insure client needs are met.

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Description of How Funding Under CSBG Act Will Be Coordinated With Other

Public and Private Resources

CAC uses Knoxville and Knox County funds to supplement CSBG program support costs and to coordinate services made available through other public and private resources. Programs for low-income individuals and families in the service area are reasonably well coordinated. An example of coordination took place several years ago when Knox County decided to consolidate services and “do more with less.” The responsibilities of Knox County’s General Assistance Office were transferred to CAC, allowing utility and other emergency services to be integrated with other similar services. Another example is the connection between CSBG and the Workforce Connections Board. One of CAC’s Neighborhood Service Center managers represents CSBG as a Career Center partner on the Board. Hospitals support CAC services, including the Office on Aging newsletter, Elder News and Views. Private funders and businesses have paid completely for a mullti-sensory, reading intervention tutoring program that works with 2nd – 8th graders in the inner city who have learning disabilities. Public and private directory sponsors pay the entire cost of printing the Senior Service Directory, commonly called the little yellow book. Increased agency capacity and expanded partnerships with the City of Knoxville and Knox County have resulted in a major expansion of affordable housing opportunity, both new home construction and major home rehabilitation.

Summary of Goals and Outcome Objective Measures

Community Action Agencies across the country complete National Performance Indicator (NPI) forms detailing the outcomes of their efforts in a given fiscal year. These forms are submitted to Nashville where they are compiled into state totals. Each state then forwards their totals to Washington, D.C. where national totals are compiled. All agencies use the same reporting document to insure like and reasonably standardized outcomes are reported. Knoxville/Knox County CAC’s outcomes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 follow.

Goal 1: Low-Income People Become More Self-Sufficient

1.1 Employment

• 750 unemployed participants obtained a job • 356 employed participants maintained a job for at least 90 days • 280 employed participants obtained an increase in employment income • 541 participants achieved “living wage” employment and benefits.

1.2 Employment Supports

• 2,321 participants obtained skills/competencies required for employment. • 83 completed ABE/GED and received a diploma. • 251 completed post-secondary education and obtained certificate or diploma. • 164 enrolled children in before or after school programs. • 215 obtained care for a child or other dependent in order to maintain

employment.

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• 1,103 obtained access to reliable transportation through Workforce Connections, Knox County CAC Transit, and the Neighborhood Centers or obtained a driver’s license in order to acquire or maintain employment.

• 121 participants obtained health care services. • 4,719 participants obtained safe and affordable housing. • 3,868 participants obtained food assistance. • 3,017 participants obtained non-emergency LIHEAP assistance.

1.3 Economic Asset Enhancement and Utilization

• 1,243 participants had tax returns prepared and those who qualified for a Federal or State tax credits received an aggregated total of $902,422 dollars.

Goal 2: The Conditions In Which Low-Income People Live Are Improved

2.1 Community Improvement and Revitalization

• 125 jobs were created or saved from reduction or elimination in the community.

• 126 accessible or increased educational and training placement. opportunities, or those that are saved from reduction or elimination, that are available to low-income people in the community, including vocational, literacy, and life skill training, ABE/ GED, and post-secondary education. 7 safe and affordable housing units created in the community.

• 15 additional Knox County CAC Transit vehicles were purchased, enabling transportation resources for 46,001 trips for low-income people.

• 1,683 safe and affordable housing units in community preserved or improved through construction, weatherization or rehabilitation.

• 46,001 accessible transportation resources preserved for low-income people.

2.2 Quality of Life and Assets

• 3 outdoor classrooms were preserved at local schools by CAC

AmeriCorps members, providing opportunities for 3,457 students.

• CAC Beardsley Community Farm was preserved as an urban agriculture facility, providing 2,157 opportunities to visit the farm, volunteer, and learn.

• 3 neighborhood clean-ups and 1 fundraiser for Ijams Nature Center improved the quality of life for neighborhoods.

2.3 Community Engagement

• 313,599 volunteer hours donated to the agency. • 11,978 community members participated in community revitalization and

anti-poverty initiatives mobilized by Community Action.

2.4 Employment Growth from ARRA Funds

• 12 jobs were created or saved , at least in part, by ARRA funds

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Goal 3: Low-Income People Own A Stake In Their Community

3.1 Community Enhancement through Maximum Feasible Participation • 241,193 volunteer hours were donated to the community from low-income

members of the community. 3.2 Community Empowerment via maximum feasible participation

• 85 low-income people participated in formal decision-making and policy-setting activities through advisory boards.

• 2,210 low-income people engaged in non-governance community activities or groups.

Goal 4: Partnerships Among Supporters And Providers Of Services To Low-Income

People Are Achieved

4.1 Expanding Opportunities Through Community-Wide Partnerships

• 862 organizations partnered with CAC to promote family and community outcomes

• 153 of these partnerships were with faith-based organizations. This is an increase of 25% from 2010 outcomes.

Goal 5: Agencies Increase Their Capacity To Achieve Results

5.1 Agency Development

• 413 staff and board members attended 13,318 hours of training.

Goal 6: Low-Income People, Especially Vulnerable Populations, Achieve Their

Potential By Strengthening Family And Other Supportive Environments

6.1 Independent Living

• 27,640 senior citizens maintained an independent living situation • 18,882 individuals with disabilities maintained an independent living situation

6.2 Emergency Assistance

• 7,875 received emergency food. • 8,104 received emergency fuel or utility payments funded by LIHEAP.

• 1,903 received emergency rent or mortgage assistance.

• 10 received emergency car or home repair.

• 463 received emergency temporary shelter.

• 10 received emergency medical care.

• 110 received emergency protection from violence.

• 4 received emergency legal assistance.

• 281 received emergency transportation.

• 25 received emergency disaster relief.

• 2,594 received emergency clothing.

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6.3 Child and Family Development

Children

• 1,126 infants and children obtained age-appropriate immunizations, medical, and dental care.

• 1,126 infant and child health and physical development are improved as a result of adequate nutrition.

• 1,852 children participated in pre-school activities to develop school readiness skills.

• 207 children who participated in pre-school activities are developmentally ready to enter kindergarten or the 1st grade.

Youth

• 4,564 youth improved health and physical development.

• 294 youth improved social/emotional development.

• 60 youth avoided risk-taking behavior for a defined period of time.

• 60 youth have reduced involvement in with the criminal justice system.

• 8,998 youth increased academic, athletic, or social skills for school success.

Parents

• 1,633 parents and other adults learn and exhibit improved parenting skills.

• 1,175 parents and other adults learn and exhibit improved family functioning skills.

6.4 Family Supports (Seniors, Disabled, and Caregivers)

• 5 enrolled children in before or after school programs.

• 6,791 obtained access to reliable transportation and/or driver’s license.

• 16 obtained health care services for themselves or a family member.

• 2,713 obtained and/or maintained safe and affordable housing.

• 6,280 obtained food assistance.

• 7,807 obtained non-emergency LIHEAP energy assistance

6.4 Service Counts

• 7,357 food boxes were provided

• 539,600 pounds of food were provided

• 2,719 units of clothing were provided

• 207,337 rides were provided

• 180,878 information and referral calls were provided