Follow The Compass (UCS' Blog)

Human Service Summit

More than 150 people attended the 2010 Human Service Summit. Through individual and group exercises, participants explored key trends that will shape Johnson County's future. To learn what is being done by individual organizations to prepare for the future, review the list of actions. To see highlights of the facilitated small group discussions read the five page summary.

Human Service Summit

The Conversation Continues

People who attend the UCS Human Service Summit tell us they value the networking and small group discussion; and many express an interest in continuing the conversation. The introduction of UCS' new blog, The Compass, is to do just that – provide a virtual space to share what was said at the Summit and seek your reflections. Over the next few months our blog will feature discussion on the top trends considered at the Summit. Your responses will advance the conversation and connect you to others with common interests. To be a part of the ongoing conversation, visit The Compass.

Substance Abuse among Children and Youth in Johnson County

Alcohol remains the most likely substance to be abused by children and youth, based on findings from the 2009-2010 school year Communities That Care survey. The survey is conducted annually in all six public school districts among students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The two-page fact sheet includes these findings:

• Almost one in four students reported having used alcohol in the past 30 days.
• Almost one in five 12th graders reported having been drunk or high at school at least once in the past year.
• 13% of 12th graders reported binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks in a row) three or more times in the past two weeks.
• More than one in six 12th graders and one in nine 10th graders reported using prescription pain relievers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin not prescribed to them.

Emergency Assistance Provider Roundtable

What is the current need for basic needs emergency assistance in Johnson County? To consider this question, UCS convened providers from the public and private sector to identify existing issues and demand, and generate possible solutions. More people seeking help, more first time requests for aid, and people deeper in debt result in new challenges for organizations. Developing more efficient ways for providers to assess needs and increasing capacity to meet demand may be potential solutions. A six-page report summarizes the discussion.

Demographic Trends

• The county's population growth is increasingly due to people who are ethnically and racially diverse.
• A higher percentage of the population is now over age 45.
• Households with children are no longer the predominant household type in the county.
• Women and children are the most likely to be poor; young single mothers are at greatest risk.