Management Resources for Human Services Executives

A landmark study released today by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada reports that more than 124,200 people, including 49,556 children, receive emergency food service each year through the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The findings represent a 298% increase since the findings reported in Hunger in America, 2006. This is the first research study to capture the significant connection between the recent economic downturn and an increased need for emergency food assistance. The number of children and adults in need of food as a result of experiencing food insecurity has significantly increased. In northern Nevada, more than one in four client households are experiencing very low food insecurity/hunger. An estimated 14,400 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other program served by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Among the key findings in the Food Bank of Northern Nevada report:
• 124,200 people including 49,665 children have needed to seek emergency food during the last year in northern Nevada. This is 93,000 more people than 4 years ago.
• The number of children needing emergency food has increased 38,105 (333%) since 2006.
• One in four northern Nevada children experience hunger/facing very low food security (34.5%).
• The rate of household food security among clients climbed 13% - from 66% in 2006 to 79% in 2010.
• 68.7% of client households had income below 100% of the poverty the month previous to the interview. 90.5% had income below 185% of poverty. 8.5% had no income at all. In 2009, the Federal Poverty level for a family of three was $1,526 per month, or $18,312 per year.) 50% had a monthly income of less than $1,000 the previous month.
• 53.9% of those needing emergency food assistance have at least one person in the household who is currently working.
• 44% of households reported need to choose between food and other essentials.
• The percentage of clients that report that they or someone in their household do not have health insurance is 32.5%
• 40.8 % of those needing emergency food service have unpaid medical or hospital bills.
• 14.2% of clients were homeless, living in a shelter, on the street or in a vehicle. 39% were late paying the last month’s rent or mortgage.
• 30.7% of client households served are receiving SNAP (formerly food stamps) benefits.

Between 2000 and 2007, the median earnings of Nevada’s workers increased from $25,411 to $30,859—a mere $5,448, or 21.4 percent
The average share of Health insurance premiums paid by Nevada’s workers rose from $229 a month in 2000 to $585 in 2007.
Therefore, health insurance premiums rose 2.5 times faster than median earnings from 2000 to 2007.
For full study go to http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/publications/reports/premiums-vs-paychecks-2008.html and click on Nevada.
Source: Families USA

Child poverty rose in 2007; more than one-third of all poor Americans are children.Poverty was higher in 2007 than in the recession year 2001.In the recession year 2001, 11.7 percent of all Americans were poor. After 6 years of economic expansion (a.k.a. rising tide), 12.5 percent were poor. Child poverty rose from 16.3 percent to 18 percent over the same period (2001-2007). There were 4.4 million more poor people in 2007 than in 2001. The number of poor children increased by 1.6 million over the same period. Just from 2006 to 2007, the number of poor children grew by nearly 500,000; the number of total poor by 816,000. Poverty usually does not rise when the economy is growing. During the 90s economic good times, poverty went down. Median household income rose during each growth cycle since 1969 - except during the decade we're in now.The Coalition on Human Needs has started to compile on its website analyses of the poverty, income and health insurance data released by the Census Bureau on August 26. The following details links to tables with state data and some statements and early reports. Consult our site for ongoing additions: http://www.chn.org/issues/statistics/povertyday2008.html But here's a first sampling:Coalition on Human Needs Statement: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/DWpovday08statement.pdfCenter on Budget and Policy Priorities Report: Poverty and Share of Americans Without Health Insurance Were HIgher in 2007 - and Median Income for Working-Age Households was Lower - Than at Bottom of Last Recession: http://www.cbpp.org/8-26-08pov.pdfEconomic Policy Institute Analysis: Median Income Rose as Did Poverty in 2007: http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_econindicators_income_20080826First Focus Statement: Census Data Shows Thousands of New Children Living in Poverty: http://www.firstfocus.net/pages/3468/2007_Census_Data.htmHeartland Alliance-Mid-America Institute on Poverty Statement and State/Local Fact Sheets: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/maip/censusrelease08.htmlHalf in Ten: From Poverty to Prosperity Statement: Stalled Progress on Poverty: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/stalled_progress.htmlState data tables: http://www.chn.org/issues/statistics/povertyday2008.html A sampling:Total poverty, 2000 - 2007: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/ACStotalpov.pdfChild poverty, 2000 - 2007: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/ACSchildpov.pdf Median household income, 2000 - 2007: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/ACSmedincome.pdfPeople without health insurance, 2000/2001 - 2006/2006: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/CPShealthinsur.pdfStates with significant increases in total poverty, 2000 to 2007: Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.States with significant decreases in total poverty, 2000 to 2007: Arizona, California, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Source: Coalition on Human Needs

http://nclr.org/content/publications/detail/52879/ by the National Council of La Raza. This report reviews Latino children's health coverage status in the U.S. and the different factors that may affect their ability to attain insurance and subsequent care.
Source: Coalition on Human Needs

The Sheriff’s Office is asking agencies to pass along the following a message reminding folks to be smart about their safety.
Be Aware and Alert of your surroundings at all times. No distractions like cell phones or iPods
Look Confident – make eye contact with people you encounter, keep your hands free
When In Public, Stay in Groups – there is strength in numbers
Trust your Instincts – If you feel uncomfortable just leave and don’t worry about hurting someone’s feelings. If something doesn’t feel right, do what you need to do to be safe.
Develop a Survival Mindset – Preparation is key. When going through your daily life, think of what you would do if confronted with a dangerous situation, and prepare yourself.

By being aware, confident, traveling in groups, trusting your instincts and preparing yourself mentally, you can alleviate the fear. This is a safe community – don’t let “him” win by living in fear.
Remember, Personal Safety is up to you.
Source: The Sheriff’s Office and the Children’s Cabinet

The report provides comprehensive data on the area’s 33 Quality of Life Indicators, ranging from the cost of living in our community to our air quality to the health of our residents. The report is the result of extensive community surveys and research and highlights the community’s conditions, trends, opportunities for improvement, public policy, program impacts and progress toward desired results. The 2008 Community Wellbeing Report can be found in the January 28 edition of Northern Nevada Business Weekly – racks can be found around town at various locations. The report can also be downloaded at www.truckeemeadowstomorrow.org. Raw data is posted in the Indicator section of the TMT Web site and can be viewed and downloaded by those who have purchased a 2008 TMT membership. As the recognized voice for quality of life in the region, TMT provides unbiased, comprehensive data and also celebrates the success of our community’s efforts through a biennial celebration, Accentuate the Positive. For more information, visit www.quality-of-life.org or call (775) 323-1518.
Source: Truckee Meadows Tomorrow

The survey of 23 major cities estimates for each city the demand for emergency food assistance, emergency shelter and transitional housing; the capacity to meet that demand; the causes of hunger ad homelessness; efforts underway in each city to combat these problems; the economic or social conditions that exacerbate these problems; and the outlook for 2008. http://usmayors.org/HHSurvey2007/hhsurvey07.pdf
Source: Coalition on Human Needs

The Human Services Implementation Plan has been posted to the Washoe County website at the following address: http://www.washoecounty.us/mgrsoff/grants/wchs_strategic_plan.html?PHPSESSID=2a8b7cb323dbd9857c538339cbe1005a
Source: Office of the County Manager