24 Staff Report - Human Services Needs Assessment SurveyMEETING DATE: 8/4/03
ITEM NO. i3
( J
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: July 29, 2003
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT: HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept the attached Human Services Needs Assessment Survey (Attachment 1).
2. Discuss next steps as identified in this report.
BACKGROUND:
The impetus for conducting a Human Needs Assessment Survey was collectively driven by the
Town's Strategic Plan, the Community Services Commission's enabling resolution, and the Human
Services Element of the Town's General Plan. With the unified goal of maintaining a high quality
of life for Los Gatos residents, each of these documents, generally or specifically, requires that the
Town identify unmet human services needs, identify existing resources, and recommend alternatives
for meeting unmet needs. The survey results are meant to inform future Town decisions on the
allocation of resources, by highlighting areas of need. The last Human Needs Assessment Survey
was performed in 1983.
A representative of Godbe Research & Analysis (GRA), the research firm that conducted the survey,
will be present at the Council meeting to present the survey findings. Given the highly technical
nature of the survey methodology, the GRA rep will also be prepared to summarize the research
approach, and to answer any Council questions.
Methodology
The Town contracted with Godbe Research & Analysis (GRA) to conduct a survey of Town
residents which assessed their unmet service needs in the areas of health, culture, and recreation -
with emphasis on families, youth, and seniors. The survey was conducted in February 2003. The
PREPARED BY: Regina
N:\CSD\TCRPTS\Needs Survey Transm
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Reviewed by: ps1 Assistant Town Manager YLTown Attorney Clerk Finance
Redevelopment Agency Library Revised: 7/29/03 2:57 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT: HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
July 29, 2003
survey technique was a telephone interview of approximately 18 minutes in length, with respondents
selected through a random digit dial sampling methodology. The total sample size was 400
residents, with a maximum margin of error of between 2.91% and 4.86%. For more detailed
information on the survey methodology, please refer to the "Methodology" section of the attached
report (Attachment 1), beginning on page 13.
As noted in the "Methodology" section, the sample of residents was chosen with care to ensure its
statistical validity, and that it is representative of the greater population of the Town. Due to the
great number of topics covered in the survey, though, it was not possible to examine any one of the
issues in depth. As discussed below, some of the issues may warrant further research, in order to
gain a fuller understanding.
DISCUSSION:
An Executive Summary of the survey's key findings may be found in the attached report
(Attachment 1), beginning on page 2. The full text of findings are contained in the subsequent
sections of the report; survey data are contained in Appendices A through C.
Also attached for your reference is some basic demographic data for the Town, from the 2000 U.S.
Census (Attachment 2).
Community Services Commission Discussion
At its May 29, 2003 meeting, the Community Services Commission accepted the attached Human
Services Needs Assessment Survey, and discussed potential next steps. The Commission's
discussion has been incorporated into the recommendations contained in this report.
Summary of Key Findings
Overall, the survey data show a positive picture of the quality of life in Los Gatos. No areas of
strong unmet human service need were found. Eighty-five percent of respondents indicated that the
quality of life in Town is getting better or staying the same; only 13% felt that it is getting worse (the
remainder of respondents had no opinion). Staff is very pleased to report this finding, which seems
to validate the Town's proactive approach. It likely also reflects the Town's open dialog approach
toward local residents and the well -developed network of local service agencies.
The survey data does identify some issues which might suggest areas for further research and/or
action. As becomes clear when reading the attached survey report, the survey questions sought
resident responses on very high-level, "big picture" questions. The survey tool was developed as a
first level of information gathering, to target the greatest number of broad areas of human service
needs. The survey responses highlight potential issue areas on which to focus in subsequent levels
of information gathering. As discussed in the following paragraphs, these next steps of information
gathering will be designed to develop a fuller understanding of any human service need which may
I
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT: HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
July 29, 2003
exist in any particular area, at a detail level which can inform future Council decisions.
The high-level issues identified by the survey results may be grouped into the following three areas:
youth needs, senior needs, and daycare needs. Following are discussions of survey findings in these
areas, and potential next steps to address the issues raised.
Youth Needs. Survey respondents who indicated they had, or were responsible for, children between
the ages of 6 and 17 were asked a series of questions related to youth and after —school programs in
Los Gatos. The majority of those asked, 68%, indicated that they were satisfied overall with such
programs; only 15% indicated dissatisfaction (the remainder of respondents had no opinion). When
asked about specific programs for youth, two programs arose as those which were rated as important
to have, but with which respondents were least satisfied (though not dissatisfied): 1) supervised after -
school programs for middle school students; and 2) library programs for children and teens.
The Commission suggests that it would be valuable to gather more information about the reasons
behind these satisfaction ratings. Though, as noted above, respondents were not dissatisfied with
either the after -school programs or the library programs, they were the least satisfied with these two
programming areas, in the broader category of human services for youth. In the interest of
continuing to improve the Town's services to youth, the Commission recommends that a second
level of information gathering is appropriate, with the goal of gaining a fuller understanding of any
specific human service need that exists.
The suggested next step is to bring together representatives of local organizations that provide
services to youth, share the results of the survey, and collectively develop a plan for the second level
of information gathering. This second level might include a series of focus groups or surveys, which
could assess the satisfaction of current participants in youth -oriented programs, both parents and
kids, and request their input regarding avenues for improvement. The information obtained at this
level would be brought to Council, to provide a more complete understanding of the human service
needs of local youth, and to inform future resource allocation in this area.
Addressing library programs specifically, the Commission noted that the new main library in San
Jose will include a dedicated teen area, and suggest that San Jose Library staff might be a good
resource for gathering information about youth needs as they relate to library services. Town Library
staff added a suggestion to visit one of the many other new libraries being built in the area, such as
the new Saratoga Library. The goal of such visits would be to gain a benchmark against which to
compare Town library services. This information would inform future discussions about any
changes to library services, and the resource re -allocations needed to make such changes.
Senior Needs. Survey respondents who indicated that they were, or were responsible for, an adult
age 60 or older were asked a series of questions related to senior citizen services in Los Gatos. A
sizable number of those asked, 28%, had no opinion; 47% indicated satisfaction, and only 11 %
indicated dissatisfaction with local senior services. The high number of respondents who had no
opinion may be a result of the number of adults over age 60 who do not wish to participate in
A
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT: HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
July 29, 2003
services or activities labeled "senior." For example, respondents indicated that the biggest obstacle
to participating in local senior programs was a lack of need, time, or interest. And the top reasons
cited for not visiting the Senior Center were no interest, too busy, or "do not consider myself a
senior."
Those respondents who did participate in local senior programs, however, noted two programs as
those which were rated as important to have, but with which respondents were least satisfied: 1) in -
home services for the elderly who require assistance; and 2) a program that provides transportation
assistance to qualified senior citizens based on financial or physical needs. The Commission
suggests as a next step that a small committee of Commission members and Town staff bring this
information to an upcoming Senior Consortium meeting, with the goal of bringing back Consortium
member input for the Commission's further discussion. The Senior Consortium is a group of local
nonprofit agencies serving seniors; members meet regularly to discuss topics of interest to senior
service providers, and work to improve the services they provide through cooperation and
coordination. The discussion of the Commission and Consortium members would suggest any next
levels of information gathering, if any, that might be warranted.
Daycare Needs. Survey respondents who indicated they had, or were responsible for, children
between the ages of 0 and 5 were asked a series of questions related to daycare programs in Los
Gatos. The majority of those asked, 41 %, had no opinion on the overall quality of daycare in Los
Gatos; 37% indicated overall satisfaction; and 17% indicated dissatisfaction. No attributes of local
daycare arose as those which were rated as important to have, but with which respondents were
dissatisfied. However, when asked about the biggest problems facing daycare in Town, respondents
most frequently cited the cost of daycare, and the availability/overcrowding of daycare.
The Commission suggests that it initiate a discussion with the Community Child Care Council of
Santa Clara County, Inc. (4C Council), regarding these survey findings in the area of daycare.
Founded in 1972, the 4C Council is designated by the California Department of Education to provide
child care resource and referral services in Santa Clara County. Its mission is to promote the
availability and accessibility of quality child care for all children in Santa Clara County through
services to child care providers, parents, and the general community. The Commission could also
hold informal, information -gathering discussions with major local providers of childcare. These
providers include the larger daycare centers, Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education and
Recreation, and the Jewish Community Center. The discussion of the Commission and 4C Council
would suggest any next levels of information gathering, if any, that might be warranted.
Recreational Facilities and Programs. Survey respondents were asked to indicate if they thought
certain recreational facilities and programs should be increased, decreased, or stay the same.
"Skateboard parks" and "public swimming pools" were the only recreational facilities that had a
higher proportion of respondents (49% and 47%, respectively) who would like to have this type of
facility increased rather than have it maintained at its current level. However, "skateboard parks"
also received the highest percentage of respondents (11 %) who stated that they would like to see less
of this type of facility. The issue of a skateboard park in Town is under discussion currently, so no
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT: HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
July 29, 2003
new next steps are recommended in this area. In the area of public pools, it is important to note that
the Town recently provided $300,000 toward construction of the Los Gatos High School pool
project. This new aquatic facility will be a community pool, flexible enough to be used for school
classes and teams, recreation classes, and individual residents. Any further consideration of Town
contributions to pool or other sports facilities will require a policy decision on the commitment of
Town funds.
Demographic Findings. In the area of Demographic and Behavioral Information (Attachment 1,
beginning on page 55), the survey found that Los Gatos residents are more connected to the Internet
than the average. Just under 90% of respondents indicated that they had regular access to the
Internet; this compares to a national rate of 67%. Approximately 65% of respondents indicated they
prefer to get information about Town services via the Internet. Staff will take this information into
account when planning future public information efforts.
CONCLUSION:
The Community Services Commission recommends that the Council accept the attached Human
Needs Assessment Survey (Attachment 1). Staff recommendations for follow up are summarized
in the attached Issue Matrix (Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The recommended action is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The majority of next steps discussed would be at no cost to the Town. Any formal focus groups or
surveys would be paid for through the Community Services Department operating budget for FY
2003-04, which includes $5,000 for such activities, funded by the General Plan Implementation Fee.
Attachments:
1. Town of Los Gatos Survey of Residents, dated May 2003
2. Town of Los Gatos Census 2000 Data
3. Human Services Needs Assessment Survey Issue Matrix
Distribution:
Josh Williams, Godbe Research & Analysis, 640 Grand Ave, #G, Carlsbad CA 92008-2365
Community Services Commission members
Linda Gallo, Senior Coordinator
RAF:JLM/
N:\CSD\TCRPTS\Needs Survey Transmittal.wpd
Attachment 1
Town of Los Gatos Survey of Residents
May 2003
The Council previously received a bound copy of this Attachment.
Attachment 2
Town of Los Gatos
Census 2000 Data
Demogra i hic Group
Town Pop.
Youth (0-18)
Adults (19-64)
Seniors (65+)
Total Number
28,683
6,248
18,033
4,402
Total Households
Married Couple Household
Female Head of Household
Senior (65+) living alone
11,988
6,104
865
1,201
% of Total
100.0%
21.8%
62.9%
15.3%
100.0%
50.9%
7.2%
10.0%
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