Published Research Reports

Project Overview:

Bridgewater State College’s Institute for Regional Development, contracted by the Old Colony United Way, designed and administered a  Needs Assessment Survey 2003 to the residents Old Colony United way service area during the month of March 2003.  Old  Colony United Way service area includes Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleborough, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, Whitman.   The purpose of this survey was to determine the health and human service needs of residents in this region.

The highlights of this survey are:

• The Old Colony United Way Needs Assessment Task Force worked for almost two years on this multi-faceted analysis of human care needs, and collected both quantitative and qualitative data as part of the process.  This comprehensive research project, led by citizen volunteers with some assistance from agency staff, has attempted to remain true to the mission of the United Way by reaching out broadly into the service area and soliciting citizen and client input to more accurately identify emerging and unmet needs.

• The multiple phases of this project consisted of a survey of Old Colony United Way Service Area human service providers and consumers (2002), a survey of area residents and businesses (2002), a citizen telephone survey (March 2003), four public hearings (June 2002), and two focus groups (March 2003). The results of this Needs Assessment are clearly strengthened by the extensive data collection that has been conducted and the ability of the researchers to pool the findings in the report.

• Based on the demographic data reported in our 2003 study, the Old Colony United Way Service Area continues to be challenged by substantial population growth, educational challenges, and a difficult housing market. An 8 percent population growth from 1990-2000 is projected to be followed by another 7 percent increase from 2000-2010. Educational attainment continues to be a prime contributor to current and future human needs in the region. While the percent of adults with a high school diploma is similar to the statewide average, the region lags significantly behind most of the state in bachelor’s degrees and advanced education.

• While housing costs as reflected in median mortgages and median rent are near state averages, the quantity of affordable housing units remains a significant barrier for many moderate to lower income families and individuals.  A large portion of the data collected by focus groups and surveys also support the acute nature of the housing predicament in the Old Colony region.

• Through our analysis of the data presented in this Needs Assessment, we conclude that significant unmet need areas seem to be affordable housing, youth services and programs, and elderly services. Among survey respondents, barriers seem to be the problem of contacting multiple agencies for services, not receiving services promptly, and the need for transportation assistance to access services, especially among lower income respondents. Focus group results indicated inadequate access and availability of mental health counseling and treatment, and the need for greater preventative services.

• In the future, the growth of and under-reporting of cultural diverse populations will be a significant issue that demands the attention of decision makers in the human service field.  It is clear that multiple minority groups have grown at significant rates in the Old Colony region. Although special attention was paid to citizens with cultural and language barriers and their health and human care needs, such groups continue to present distinct challenges for researchers (including the 2000 U.S. Census) and may be under-represented in terms of their human needs.