Community Needs Assessment

This survey is designed to gather insights from service providers working within the foster care system to identify key challenges and gaps in delivering quality care and support to children, youth, and families. By understanding the barriers faced in the foster care system—such as resource limitations, systemic inefficiencies, and service accessibility issues—we aim to enhance interagency collaboration and better support the well-being of those impacted by the child welfare system. Your input is vital in helping shape more responsive and effective care.

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* 1. Which Stakeholder Group do you belong to?

Court/Legal system

Child Placing Agency

DFPS

TFCN Staff

Community Group

Foster Parent

Community Member

RTC/GRO

Other (please specify)

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* 2. How many years have you worked in Region 5 in Texas?

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. Pick the top 3 gaps in services for youth and families with mental or behavioral health needs

Home-based mental health services

Integrated services for people with mental illness and substance abuse problems

Mobile crisis services

Psychiatrists

Prevention and screening services

Alternatives to hospitalization

Foster care or Treatment Foster Care

Trauma informed services

Transportation services

Drug testing facilities

Assessment centers

Emergency shelters

Group Homes

Residential treatment centers

Supervised independent living programs

Domestic violence shelters/services

Independent living preparation for transition aged youth

Therapy (Individual, family, etc.)

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* 4. What are the top 3 barriers your team faces in delivering quality care or support?

Staff shortages / high caseloads

Burnout or secondary trauma among staff

Lack of funding or financial resources

Limited availability of specialized services (e.g., mental health, substance use treatment)

Delays in service referrals or approvals

Poor communication between agencies (e.g., child welfare, schools, courts, health)

Frequent placement disruptions or instability

Inadequate training or professional development

Difficulty engaging or retaining foster families

Barriers in accessing services in rural or remote areas

Technology limitations or lack of data sharing systems

Language or cultural barriers with youth and families

Systemic bias or lack of cultural competency

Limited support for youth transitioning out of care

Legal or policy constraints that hinder effective service delivery

Long waiting lists

Lack of insurance

Refusal by providers to accept clients with Medicaid (Star Health)/Medicare because the reimbursement rate is too low

Lack of daycare/child care services

Lack of transportation

Limited hours of operation

Individual does not meet criteria for program (criteria is set too high or too low)

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* 5. Over the past year, how have the gaps in services and support for youth and families changed in your experience?

The gaps have significantly narrowed

The gaps have somewhat narrowed

The gaps have remained about the same

The gaps have somewhat widened

The gaps have significantly widened

Not sure / I haven’t worked in the field long enough to assess

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* 6. What are the strengths of your community in addressing mental and behavioral health issues for youth and families?

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* 7. Please identify any other concerns you have about the level of need in your community

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* 8. Do you feel your organization has adequate resources (staffing, funding, training) to meet the needs of the youth and families you serve?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

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* 9. In your professional opinion, which services are most lacking or inaccessible for youth in care? (Check all that apply)

Mental health support

Stable housing

Education continuity

Employment readiness

Physical healthcare

Substance abuse treatment

Legal advocacy

Services for LGBTQ+ youth

Trauma-informed care

Cultural competency in placements

Other (please specify)

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* 10. How often do youth involved in child welfare receive timely access to services they need?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

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* 11. Which populations are most underserved in your experience?

Teens

LGBTQ+ youth

Youth of color

Youth with disabilities

Pregnant or parenting teens

Youth aging out

Other (please specify)

Community Needs Assessment

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* 1. Which Stakeholder Group do you belong to?

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* 2. How many years have you worked in Region 5 in Texas?

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* 3. Pick the top 3 gaps in services for youth and families with mental or behavioral health needs

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* 4. What are the top 3 barriers your team faces in delivering quality care or support?

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* 5. Over the past year, how have the gaps in services and support for youth and families changed in your experience?

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* 6. What are the strengths of your community in addressing mental and behavioral health issues for youth and families?

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* 7. Please identify any other concerns you have about the level of need in your community

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* 8. Do you feel your organization has adequate resources (staffing, funding, training) to meet the needs of the youth and families you serve?

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* 9. In your professional opinion, which services are most lacking or inaccessible for youth in care? (Check all that apply)

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* 10. How often do youth involved in child welfare receive timely access to services they need?

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* 11. Which populations are most underserved in your experience?

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* 12. What systemic issues do you think most often lead to service breakdowns or poor outcomes for youth?

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* 13. If you could change one thing about the child welfare system, what would it be?