NECAC Seeks Input Through Survey

The North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is offering people in its 12 counties a chance to recommend changes to programs or new services for the disadvantaged.

The agency is conducting a Community Needs Survey through June 30. Missouri counties covered are Lewis, Lincoln. Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, St. Charles, Shelby and Warren.

“We are trying to collect information from the counties to identify the needs, which includes any barriers and gaps in services,” said NECAC County Services Programs Director Kayla Wasson. “We are trying to identify how we can better serve our communities through additional programs.”

NECAC conducts the survey every three years as part of its requirements to receive federal and state funding for social service, community health and public housing programs. Past questionnaires led to creation of food pantries at NECAC service centers, a diaper distribution program and an employment readiness service.

“It is a big part of the full picture of what NECAC offers,” Wasson said. “We encourage people to participate.”

The survey features 36 questions covering income, employment, education, housing, transportation and other needs. It can be filled out electronically at NECAC Service Centers, on the NECAC Facebook site or the SurveyMonkey link at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CNA2023.

In the spring, NECAC will put together focus groups made up of residents, businesses and organizational representatives to study the possibilities.

“We’ll have more qualitative questions and seek their opinions on issues that are happening in their communities,” Wasson said.

The 2020 survey was conducted just as the COVID pandemic was breaking out. Wasson said that while some concerns from that time remain, others will be different.

“There’s an economic angle now because of inflation,” she said. “Prices have gone through the roof, so it’s a different situation than the last survey.”

People with questions may call Wasson at 573-324-6633.