Riverside County residents Friday were asked to participate in an online survey that helps guide the Board of Supervisors’ policies on programs to assist economically disadvantaged households.
The Community Action Partnership circulates the “needs assessment survey” biennially to examine where county services can be improved. This year’s poll was developed in partnership with the UC Riverside Department of Public Policy and consists of 63 questions.
“The information that is gathered will provide a snapshot of the needs of the community and will help us better understand where and how to provide improved services,” said Kim Saruwatari, public health director for the Riverside University Health System, to which the CAP is attached. “The survey takes only a few minutes and will provide vital data.”
UCR Department of Public Policy professor David Brady said the analysis strengthens government officials’ ability to zero in on the “causes and consequences of poverty in Riverside County.”
The 2017 survey found that, among English speakers, 56 percent of residents earned less than $30,000 annually, with an almost equal number listing dental care access as a significant challenge. Two-thirds of respondents said that mental health care treatment was also difficult to obtain.
Among the Spanish-only speakers who took the 2017 survey, 72 percent reported annual incomes of less than $30,000, while 41 percent said that they had no savings to speak of, and 44 percent cited dental health care access as difficult to obtain, according to the results.
People who take part in the survey have an opportunity to win a $50 gift card. The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/XSCX58D .
Results of this year’s survey will be reported to the board before the end of the year.