Four Weeks and Counting

Mayors Ambassadors Forum

 It's been four weeks since I started my internship at the Town of Gilbert! Can you believe that? Where does the time go? Well, as they say, "Time flies when you're having fun" and let me add "busy". Since, I have arrived I have written an a policy brief on E-cigarettes, went to a slew of meetings and city events, and networked with various city employees and officials. Now, I am working with the Gabe Engeland and Andi Welsh, the Assistants Town Manager, concerning the recent findings from the Town of Gilbert's Human Service Needs Assessment. 

The Town Council requested a Human Service Needs Assessment to discern the human services available and the gaps within the community. The purpose was to give the town an idea of improvement areas and recommendations to ensure the safety and prosperity of all the citizens in Gilbert. I'm currently reading the 118 page report, which you can find here at the town's website: Town of Gilbert Human Service Needs Assesstment

My desk

Basically, the assessment found that the groups in critical need are (in order of need):
1)Families (and individuals) in crisis
2. Mental health and substance abuse treatment services
3. Low/moderate income individuals and families
4. Elderly/seniors
5. Homeless individuals and families
6. Special needs individuals
7. Youth
8. Immigrants
9. Culturally diverse individuals and families

The recurrent needs found in all these groups were: 
1. Centralized resource for information and referral
2. Safe, affordable housing
3. Affordable, accessible transportation
4. Access to basic necessities
5. Accessible health care to meet needs  

Say hello to my little friend!

The assessment found that while the Town of Gilbert (population of 220,000+) is filled with affluent, well-educated, family oriented citizens, there are 14,000 citizens living below the federal poverty level  in need any number of the aforementioned services. This does not even include other groups concerned low income, the elderly, the uneducated, and a slew of other groups in crisis. The recommendations range from enlisting the help and funding human service providers, health care centers, religious organizations, and nonprofit organizations to promoting existing services to the citizens in need. There other recommendations that I find very interesting: 

Spicy Chicken Pizza at Flordino's for Kurt's Birthday

1) Provide training for staff in areas of cultural diversity to provide services to culturally diverse citizens
2) Encourage volunteerism and reduce the social stigma of being in need
3)Build and mobilize neighborhoods to help citizens in crisis
4) Revisit the council decision to reduce general fund contributions to human service needs

Andi and Gabe have mentioned I will help in some aspect concerning the human needs assessment. What that is exactly, I won't know until later on this week (to be continnued...)