Once every three years, the Central Missouri Community Action network puts out a survey, asking for the public's input on how well the agency is meeting the needs of families living in poverty – including those residing in Audrain County.
Currently, some 400 local residents rely on at least one or more CMCA services, in areas such as Head Start, Section 8 rental assistance, employment and training, housing development, energy assistance and family support.
The survey, CMCA officials say, will ensure that these services still fit the needs of the community – and in essence help CMCA plan for the future.
"We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to meet the reality of the community," CMCA Executive Director Darin Preis told The Ledger Wednes-day. "Federal funds have a broad stroke to solutions to poverty issues, but we know that in communities the issues are local and individual, and that we need to do everything we can to be responsive."
Copies of the Community Needs Assessment survey can be obtained either online or at CMCA's Audrain County office – located inside the Career Center, at 3626-B South Clark in Mexico. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
The questions are multiple choice, and relate to the person's own experiences and perspectives, regarding basic needs, life-long learning, community and economic assets, and relationships across class and race.
If for some reason the responses don't fit how someone feels, Preis said "they can call the resource center and talk to someone who would gladly receive their information. "Individual feedback is always welcomed."
Once the survey is completed, Preis said, it is downloaded into a database and combined with information from other counties, to give an even bigger picture of the areas that CMCA serves – which include Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage.
"This information, combined with the focus groups we have set up in the community, we are able to look at the raw data from census bureaus and other resources, to tell us whether we are on the right track," Preis explained. "Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self reliance. But in order to achieve this, we need your input."
CMCA has been designated a Community Housing Develop-ment Organization by the Mis-souri Housing Development Commission and the city of Columbia, and is a member of the Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the newly-formed Missouri Association of Community Corporations.
Its current focus, Preis said, is to work on affordable housing and utility issues to help household incomes go further, and employment and training issues, to help their clients prepare for work.
Mexico, Mo. —
