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Marengo County Needs Assessment
Purpose
This survey gathers input from residents of Marengo County to identify community strengths, challenges, and priorities for improvement. Your responses will help guide future planning and funding decisions.
This survey is being conducted by Trinity Episcopal Church:
P O Box 560 Demopolis, AL 36732
Office: 334 289-3363
Email: rector@trinitydemopolis.org
Section 1: About You
1.
In what area of Marengo County do you live?
Demopolis
Linden
Thomaston
Dixon Mills
Myrtlewood
Sweet Water
Other (please specify)
2.
What is your race? (Select all that apply)
Black or African American
White
Native American or Native Alaskan
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Prefer not to answer
Other (please specify)
3.
Are you Hispanic or Latino?
Yes
No
Prefer not to answer
4.
What is your age group?
Under 18
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65+
Section 2: Healthcare Access
5.
Do you have health insurance?
Yes
No
Not sure
6.
Do you have a regular doctor or healthcare provider?
Yes
No
7.
Have you delayed medical care due to cost or travel distance?
Yes
No
8.
How would you rate access to healthcare in Marengo County?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
9.
What is the biggest healthcare concern?
Cost of services
Lack of specialists
Long travel distances for care
Lack of insurance
Quality of care
Other (please specify)
Section 3: Mental & Behavioral Health
10.
Are mental health services available when needed?
Yes
Limited
Not available
Not sure
11.
How would you rate mental health needs in the community?
Very high
High
Moderate
Low
Not sure
12.
What is the biggest barrier to accessing mental health services?
Cost
Distance
Lack of providers
Stigma
Wait times
Lack of information
Other (please specify)
13.
Are substance abuse services sufficient?
Yes
Limited
Not available
Not sure
14.
What mental health resources are most needed?
More counselors
School-based services
Crisis response services
Telehealth options
Substance abuse programs
Community education
Other (please specify)
Section 4: Senior Services
15.
What are the biggest challenges facing seniors? (Select all that apply)
Healthcare access
Transportation
Cost of living
Social isolation
In-home care services
Food access
Other (please specify)
16.
Are there enough programs for social engagement?
Yes
Somewhat
Very limited
None
17.
What services would most benefit seniors? (Select all that apply)
Transportation assistance
Home health care
Meal delivery
Senior activities
Local medical care
Caregiver support
Other (please specify)
18.
Do you provide care for an older adult?
Yes
No
19.
What support would help caregivers most?
Respite care
Financial assistance
Training
Support groups
Healthcare access
Other (please specify)
Section 5: Veterans & VA Services
20.
Are you or someone in your household a veteran?
Yes
No
21.
How easy is it to access VA services in your community?
Very easy
Somewhat easy
Difficult
Very difficult
Not sure
22.
What is the biggest barrier to accessing veteran services in your area?
Distance
Transportation
Wait times
Navigating benefits
Lack of information
Technology barriers
Other (please specify)
23.
What services would most benefit veterans? (Select all that apply)
Local VA clinic/mobile unit
Transportation assistance
Benefits enrollment help
Mental health services
Job training
Housing assistance
Other (please specify)
Section 6: Infrastructure & Transportation
24.
Is transportation a barrier for residents?
Yes, major barrier
Somewhat
Rarely
Not at all
25.
What type of transportation do you primarily rely on? (Select all that apply)
Personal vehicle
Family or friends
Public transportation
Walking
Bicycle
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
Community/agency transportation services
No reliable transportation
Other (please specify)
26.
Which of the following transportation challenges apply to your household? (Select all that apply)
Lack of transportation
No vehicle
No valid driver’s license / suspended license
Cost of gas for vehicle
Other (please specify)
27.
What transportation services are most needed in Marengo County? (Select all that apply)
Public transit (bus/van routes)
Non-emergency medical transportation
Transportation for seniors
Transportation for people with disabilities
More affordable transportation options
Expanded service hours (evenings/weekends)
Transportation to jobs outside the county
Other (please specify)
28.
Is high-speed internet reliable in your area?
Yes, reliable
Somewhat reliable
Limited access
No access
Section 7: Education & Youth
29.
Do you have a child or grandchild in public school?
Yes
No
30.
How would you rate the quality of local schools?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
31.
What is most needed for youth in Marengo County?
After-school programs
Job training / career readiness
Mentorship programs
Recreational activities
College preparation support
Other (please specify)
32.
Are there enough activities for teenagers and young adults?
Yes
Somewhat
Very limited
None
Section 8: Food Access & Food Sourcing
33.
Is not having enough food a serious issue in your community?
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Not very serious
Not sure
34.
What are the biggest challenges you face in accessing healthy food, and what would help improve access? (Select all that apply)
High food prices
Not enough income
Transportation barriers
Limited grocery stores nearby
Limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables
More food pantries or community food programs
Support for local farmers
Nutrition education
Other (please specify)
35.
Which of the following food programs have you participated in over the past 12 months? (Select all that apply)
SNAP
WIC
School meals
Food pantry
Church/nonprofit food
Other (please specify)
36.
Do you grow your own food?
Yes, regularly
Seasonally
Occasionally
No, but I would like to
Not interested
Section 9: Employment & Economy
37.
What is your current employment status?
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Self-employed
Unemployed
Student
Retired/Disabled
Other (please specify)
38.
Are there enough job opportunities in the county?
Yes, plenty
Some
Few
Very few
39.
What is the biggest employment challenge locally?
Lack of good-paying jobs
Limited job training programs
Transportation to work
Childcare availability
Limited career advancement
Other (please specify)
40.
What would most improve economic growth?
Attracting new businesses
Expanding workforce training
Supporting small businesses
Improving internet access (broadband)
Agricultural development support
Other (please specify)
Section 10: Housing
41.
Do you have stable housing?
Yes
No
At risk
42.
In the past 12 months, have you struggled to pay rent or mortgage?
Yes
No
43.
Is housing available in your area?
Yes
No
Unsure
44.
Which of the following housing challenges are you currently experiencing? (Select all that apply)
High rent or mortgage costs
Difficulty paying rent or mortgage
Risk of losing housing
Lack of available rental properties
Unsafe or poor housing conditions
Need for home repairs or weatherization
High utility costs
Difficulty affording security deposit or move-in costs
Lack of temporary or emergency housing
Currently experiencing homelessness
45.
What type of assistance would help you most? (Select all that apply)
Housing search assistance
First-time homebuyer programs
Rental or utility assistance
Home repair/weatherization programs
Emergency or temporary housing
Other (please specify)
Section 11: Public Safety & Community Well-Being
46.
How safe do you feel in your community?
Very safe
Somewhat safe
Neutral
Somewhat unsafe
Very unsafe
47.
What community concern needs the most attention (select all that apply)?
Crime
Drug use/substance abuse
Lack of youth engagement
Poverty
Access to healthcare
Other (please specify)
Section 12: Community Priorities
48.
What should be the top 4 priorities for improvement?
Job creation
Healthcare access
Education & youth programs
Infrastructure (roads, internet)
Housing improvements
Small business development
Other (please specify)
Section 13: Focus Group Participation
49.
Would you be willing to participate in a community focus group to discuss these issues in more detail?
Yes
No
50.
Please provide your contact information if you are interested in participating (optional):
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________
Email: ____________________________
Your contact information will only be used for follow-up regarding focus groups and will not be shared.