Ninth District Opportunity, Inc

Community

Assessment

2013

Prepared for: Ninth District Opportunity, Inc.

By: Training and Technical Assistance Services, Inc.

May, 2013

A publication of

Copyright © 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...... 3

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 5 SERVICE AREA ...... 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION ...... 28

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ...... 28 HOUSING ...... 35 TRANSPORTATION ...... 43 TRANSPORTATION AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ...... 46 POVERTY AND INCOME ...... 46 INCOME ...... 50 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HEAD START AND CSBG POPULATION SERVED ...... 60 Poverty Information ...... 60 EDUCATION ...... 65 ADULT LITERACY ...... 67 THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES) PRODUCES ESTIMATES FOR ADULT LITERACY BASED ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, POVERTY AND OTHER FACTORS IN EACH COUNTY. ESTIMATED LITERACY RATES FOR THE 20 COUNTY REPORT AREA RANGED FROM 8 IN FORSYTH TO 25 IN HALL...... 67 SOURCE HTTP://NCES.ED.GOV/NAAL/ESTIMATES/STATEESTIMATES.ASPX DOWNLOADED JUNE 14, 2013 ...... 68 RACIAL AND ETHNIC INFORMATION ...... 68 NUTRITION ...... 69 NUTRITION: EARLY HEAD START ...... 71 DENTAL HEALTH ...... 77 MENTAL HEALTH ...... 78 SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE NINTH DISTRICT OPPORTUNITY HEAD START AREA ...... 81

CHILD CARE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN THE NINTH DISTRICT OPPORTUNITY HEAD START AREA .. 81 SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ...... 85 COMMUNITY STRENGTHS AND NEEDS AS REPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE LOW INCOME COMMUNITY ...... 87

COMMUNITY STRENGTHS ...... 87 COMMUNITY/FAMILY CHANGE ...... 90 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMUNITY ...... 96 NEEDS GOALS AND CONCLUSIONS...... 101

IDENTIFIED NEEDS AND STRATEGIES ...... 101 CONCLUSIONS ...... 105

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Table 1: Population ...... 28 Table 2: Age ...... 29 Table 3: Race Alone or in Combination ...... 30 Table 4: Hispanic Population Growth ...... 31 Table 5: Households in Poverty by Family Type 2007- 2011 ...... 33 Table 6: Household Types in Poverty ...... 34 Table 7: Home Ownership ...... 35 Table 8: Housing Characteristics ...... 36 Table 9: Gross Rent ...... 37 Table 10: Fair Market Values for Rental Property ...... 38 Table 11: Housing Affordability ...... 39 Table 12: Unsafe/Unsanitary Homes ...... 40 Table 13: Foreclosures ...... 41 Table 14: Results for Point-In-Time Homeless Count 2009 ...... 43 Table 15: Transportation/Commuting to Work ...... 44 Table 16: Vehicles Available ...... 45 Table 17: Poverty ...... 47 Table 18: Household Poverty Rate by Family Type 2007-2011 ...... 48 Table 19: Children under Age 4 in Poverty ...... 50 Table 20: Types of Jobs Held By NDO Clients/Head Start Parents ...... 57 Table 21: NDO CSBG Client's Source of Income ...... 59 Table 22: Children in Poverty ...... 61 Table 23: Rate of Change in Poverty ...... 62 Table 24: Estimated Number of Head Start Eligible Children ...... 64 Table 25: Education Levels: All Population ...... 65 Table 26: Education Level of Adults Participating NDO CSBG Programs ...... 67 Table 27: Literacy Rates (adults over 24) ...... 67 Table 28: NDO Head Start/ EHS Participants/Clients by Race ...... 68 Table 29: Free/Reduced Lunch Participation ...... 72 Table 30: SNAP participation on the NDO Service area ...... 73 Table 31: Health Care providers ...... 74 Table 32: Hospitals and Physician Counts ...... 75 Table 33: Health Insurance ...... 79 Table 34: 2011 Georgia Market Rate Survey: Full-time Weekday Care 75th Percentile Rates ...... 84 Table 35: NDO Head Start Children with Disabilities ...... 86

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1

Introduction

Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. (NDO) is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1967 to carry out the mandate of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Ninth District’s primary purpose is to work in partnership with low-income people to promote access to opportunities leading toward self-development, self-reliance and self-determination.

Ninth District operates a wide variety of social programs in 13 Northeast Georgia counties with a total service area of 20 counties. Ninth District’s Central Administrative Office is located in Gainesville, and the majority of the 600+ staff members are assigned to local service delivery sites in each county.

Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. is not a governmental agency. Ninth District is a private, non-profit corporation whose board consists of local elected officials and other community members. The agency works in collaboration with education, private industry, community institutions and other service agencies across the state to provide a comprehensive network of opportunities to improve the quality of life for Northeast Georgia’s income eligible citizens.

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Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. operates the following programs:  Crisis Intervention  Early Head Start  Food Assistance  Head Start  Healthy Assistance  Homeless Prevention  Indigent Medical Assistance  Job Coaching  Pre-Kindergarten  Self-Sufficiency Counseling  Weatherization  Work Experience

Ninth District Opportunity also operates other special emphasis programs or projects as funds are made available. Program participants must meet certain income criteria before they can be served through most of the above programs.

NDO is in the business of enablement. The agency helps people reach the goal of self- sufficiency. The aim is to lessen the causes of poverty by: focusing on available resources, coordinating efforts to meet the needs of the low-income population, developing programs which meet the critical and ongoing needs of the poor, developing confidence and self- esteem, assuring reasonable access to opportunities which lead to self-help skills and knowledge, working hand-in-hand with the low-income populace for solutions to identified problems.

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Community Assessment Methodology

The collection and analysis of information from multiple sources serves a critical function in the design of the programs and delivery systems for Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. The community assessment process serves to identify population characteristics and defines the target population to be served by both the Community Services and the Head Start/Early Head Start programs. It identifies relevant demographic features of the area and identifies existing programs that also serve the target population.

The community assessment process also provides relevant information about the needs and strengths of individuals, programs and areas defined both by agencies that serve the population and by the population to be served. Information for this report was gathered from quantitative information sources (census data, state agency data, NDO reports) and through interviews with focus groups representing the staff and clients of Head Start, Early Head Start and Community Services.

The information gathered through these sources will serve as a basis for the design of the Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. programs which serve children and their families in twenty counties in Georgia.

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Service Area

Figure 1: Map of Georgia with NDO Service Area Highlighted

Orange: All NDO services Green: Head Start Only Blue: Head Start and Housing Only

Figure 2: NDO Service Area Counties Served

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Banks County County formed December 11, 1858

County Seat Homer

Incorporated Cities Homer

Total Area 233.7 square miles

History Banks County was created in 1858 from parts of Franklin and Habersham counties. It was named for Dr. Richard E. Banks, a circuit-riding physician who treated the settlers and Native Americans of northern Georgia and South Carolina.

The first county courthouse was completed in 1863. It was constructed of hand-made bricks in the Greek Revival style. It is on the National Register of Historical Places and now serves as a museum and office space.

Homer, the county’s only municipality, was incorporated in 1859 and was named after Homer Jackson, a prominent settler.

Points of Interest The northern boundary of Banks County is the Chattahoochee National Forest and much of the county is woodlands.

Banks County is the home of the World’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) hosted by Garrison Farms.

Notable Citizens Although Royston, in Franklin County, was Ty Cobb’s birthplace, Banks County also lays claim to having the famous ballplayer as a resident. In 1936, Ty Cobb became the first baseball player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Annual Events For over 110 years, the Sunday School Celebration, honoring Banks County’s churches, has been held each July.

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Cherokee County County formed December 21, 1830

County Seat Canton

Incorporated Cities Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska, and Woodstock

Total Area 423.7 square miles

History Cherokee County was formed in 1830 from lands previously held by the Cherokee Indians. Its 6,900 square miles were subsequently divided into 24 other counties.

One interesting historical site is the Crescent Farm, named for the curve in the Etowah River that partially encircles it. A.L. Coggins, original owner of the farm, was a Georgia pioneer in the harness racing industry; the farm became famous for its world-class racehorse, Abbedale. The stable, Rock Barn, has never been moved from its original site.

Canton, the county seat, was named after the city in China. Canton’s founders attempted to establish silk production; the name, however, is the only thing that survived the venture.

Points of Interest Lake Allatoona, a 12,010-acre lake, are the center of recreational activities in Cherokee County. The lake was built in 1950 and today provides power for more than 2,000 homes in the area. It is best known for the many recreational opportunities it provides its visitors. With more than 12,000 acres of water surface available, Allatoona is large enough to accommodate a variety of activities.

Notable Citizens Some of the notable people who have called Cherokee County home include two state governors, Joseph E. Brown and Joseph M. Brown, and two Rhodes Scholars, Dean Rusk and Eugene Booth. Rusk was the Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and held that office for longer than any other person except Cordell Hull. The world famous golfer Bobby Jones, and singer, writer and pianist, Lee Roy Abernathy, also hail from the county.

Education Reinhardt College

Annual Events Some of the festivals and special events in Cherokee County include: Riverfest held in late September, the Indian Festival and Pow Wow held in May, and Woodstock’s Concert in the Park held the first Friday in June, July, August and September.

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Cobb County County Formed December 2, 1832

County Seat Marietta

Incorporated Cities Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna

Total Area 340.2 square miles

History Cobb County was created from Cherokee County, originally part of the Cherokee Indian Nation. It was the 81st county in Georgia and named for Judge Thomas Willis Cobb of Virginia, who served as a U.S. Senator, state congressman and Superior Court Judge.

Marietta was named for Judge Cobb’s wife. The city’s downtown was destroyed by Sherman’s troops in 1864, but it was reconstructed and now Marietta is home to four National Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Points of Interest There is a 23-acre National Cemetery in Marietta with more than 17,000 officers and soldiers from every U.S. war buried in the cemetery.

With 43 parks, recreation centers, and other related facilities, Cobb’s park system is one of the Southeast’s largest. There are also 8,800 acres of federally owned parklands in Cobb County including Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Two other of the state’s top attractions are found in Cobb: White Water Park and Six Flags over Georgia.

Notable Citizens County music star Travis Tritt was born in Marietta and Academy-award winning actress Julia Roberts was raised in Smyrna.

Education Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.

Annual Events Some of the festivals in Cobb County include the Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival in April, the Historic Marietta Arts and Craft Festival, and the North Georgia State Fair.

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Dawson County County Formed December 3, 1857 County Seat Dawsonville Incorporated Cities Dawsonville Total Area 211 square miles History Dawson County was created from parts of Lumpkin, Gilmer, and Forsyth counties. Georgia’s 118th county, and the county seat of Dawsonville, was named for Judge William C. Dawson, a compiler of the laws of Georgia and commander of a brigade in the Creek Indian War of 1836. Dawson also served in both houses of the state legislature and in Congress before the Civil War.

Built in 1857, the historic Dawson County Courthouse has been the focus of recent renovation and preservation efforts. A coalition of interested parties, ranging from the local Women’s Club to a local builder, has worked on the building.

Points of Interest: Dawson County is home to 729-foot Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The approach trail to the start of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain is also located in the park.

The Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area is maintained in Dawson County .The state purchased 2,031 acres along Wildcat Creek at the northwestern end of the wildlife area in 1993 as part of the Preservation 2000 program.

Lake Sidney Lanier forms Dawson County’s southeastern border, providing recreational and economic opportunities for local residents. The completion of Lake Lanier and development of Georgia Highway 400 has spurred growth and development in the county during the past 30 years.

Notable Citizens NASCAR driver and former Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliot is a native of Dawson County. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” has many fans throughout the county, as evidenced by the many shops and storefronts in Dawsonville filled with Bill Elliot and other racing memorabilia.

Annual Events Dawson County hosts several annual events including a Spring Wildflowers Celebration at Amicalola Falls State Park in April, the Summer’s End Trading Days in August, and a Fall Forest Festival in October. For three Saturdays in October, the

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Dawsonville town square comes alive with arts and crafts displays, clogging, and other entertainment during the Dawson County Fall Festival. Douglas County County Formed October 17, 1870

County Seat Douglasville

Incorporated Cities Douglasville

Total Area 199.3 square miles

History Douglas County was formed in from parts of Carroll and old Campbell counties plus a small section of the original Cherokee County.

The county was named after Stephen A. Douglas, a U.S. Congressman and rival of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. Douglasville, the county seat, was named after the county in 1875.

The area around Douglas County was settled in 1848 by Abe, Reuben and Young Vansant, three brothers from South Carolina.

Around the turn of the century, Lithia Springs was the site of a prestigious resort hotel for the nation’s rich and famous. Visitors were attracted to the therapeutic mineral waters of Lithia Springs until fire destroyed the hotel in 1911.

Ceremonial mounds of the Mississippian Indians are located in the county. Other Indian artifacts and remains, such as pottery, tools, and weapons, can be found within Douglas County.

Points of Interest Within the boundaries of Douglas County is Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park. Offering fishing, boating, and hiking, the park is the third most visited facility in the state park system.

Douglas County is home to several Civil War battle sites. The ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company’s cotton factory lie on the banks of Sweetwater Creek. The factory was destroyed by Union troops during Sherman’s March to the Sea.

Annual Events There are a number of events in Douglas County throughout the year. This includes A Taste of Douglasville and Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, Pioneer Days, Christmas on the Plaza, and New Manchester Festival.

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Fannin County County Formed January 21, 1854

County Seat Blue Ridge

Incorporated Cities Blue Ridge, McCaysville and Morganton

Total Area 385.8 square miles

History Fannin County was created in 1854 from parts of Gilmer and Union counties. Georgia’s 106th county was named for Colonel James W. Fannin of Georgia, who, with approximately 350 volunteers, fought in Texas’ War of Independence from Mexico. Fannin and his regiment were captured and massacred in 1836. Fannin’s county seat, Blue Ridge, is named for the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountain Range which stretches into the county.

The last remnants of the Cherokee Nation found shelter in the mountains of Fannin County before their removal west along the “Trail of Tears” to Oklahoma in 1838.

Points of Interest The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates a cold water fish hatchery in Fannin County. The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery raises rainbow trout to stock streams, lakes, and reservoirs throughout North Georgia.

Parts of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta National Wilderness Area are in Fannin County. The Cohutta Wilderness Area is the largest national wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. Outdoor recreational opportunities are also plentiful within Fannin County. Campers, hikers, nature lovers, and anglers enjoy the Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness Area. In addition to these federal facilities, local parks include the Horseshoe Bend Park, the Blue Ridge City Park, and the McCaysville City Park.

Water resources are plentiful in Fannin County. Blue Ridge Lake in the center of the county impounds part of the Toccoa River, which flows into Tennessee and becomes the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events. Jacks River, Fightingtown Creek, and Rock Creek also flow through the county.

Notable Citizens Well-known country musician, Mark Wills, was raised in Fannin County.

Annual Events Arts in the Park Festival in Blue Ridge attracts over 20,000 people. A Mountain Harvest Sale featuring handmade quilts, baskets, and pottery is held on the third

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 12 and fourth weekends of October at the Blue Ridge State Farmer’s Market. Proceeds from booth fees go to local charities. Forsyth County County Formed December 3, 1832

County Seat Cumming

Incorporated Cities Cumming

Total Area 225.8 square miles

History Forsyth County was created in 1832 from parts of the original Cherokee Country. It was named for John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia from 1827- 1829 and Secretary of State under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.

Cumming was established in 1834. The city is named for Colonel William Cumming of Augusta, a prominent lawyer.

Several Indian archaeological sites are located within Forsyth County. An Indian mound and village are located on Settendown Creek near the mouth of the Etowah River. Another Indian village is located near Sawnee Mountain on Big Creek.

Two places of historic note in Forsyth County are Pool’s Mill Covered Bridge and the Settles Home. One of the few remaining covered bridges in the country, Pool’s Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Settles Home is considered to be the oldest home in the county and is under consideration to be listed as a historic landmark.

Points of Interest Much of the eastern side of the county lies on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, one of the busiest recreational bodies of water in the nation with 200 miles of shoreline. Created in the 1950s with the impoundment of the Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam, the lake has accelerated the growth of the county, as well as provided recreational enjoyment for many throughout north Georgia. The lake is home to Southern Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, both endangered species.

Forsyth County has been ranked by the U.S. Census as the fastest growing county in Georgia.

Notable Citizens Famous residents of Forsyth County include Hiram P. Bell, a Confederate Officer and U.S. Congressman, and William Rogers, Johnson Rogers, and

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George Welch, signers of the Treaty of New Echota which established the terms of removal for the Cherokee Indians. Franklin County County Formed February 25, 1784

County Seat Carnesville

Incorporated Cities Canon, Carnesville, Franklin Springs, Lavonia and Royston

Total Area 263.3 square miles

History Franklin County was created in 1784 and originally encompassed all of what would become Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Oconee, and Stephens Counties, and parts of Gwinnett, Hall, Hart, and Madison counties, as well as three counties in South Carolina. Georgia’s 9th county was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Carnesville, the county seat, was named for Judge Thomas Peter Carnes, a lawyer and Congressman of the Revolutionary War era.

Places of historic note in the county include Cromers Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1906, and the Lavonia Carnegie Library, established in 1911 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. Lavonia is the smallest city in the U.S. with an original Carnegie Library Building.

Points of Interest Lake Hartwell, Georgia’s largest Army Corp of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi, was formed by the impoundment of the Savannah River at Hartwell Dam. The lake’s 55,950 acres have 962 miles of shoreline.

Franklin County leads the state in poultry production and the Franklin County Livestock Market is the state’s largest.

Two state parks are in Franklin County. The 406-acre Victoria Bryant State Park, near Royston and Tugaloo State Park, on a 393-acre peninsula on Lake Hartwell, offers outdoor enthusiasts excellent opportunities for fishing and camping.

Notable Citizens The County’s most famous resident, baseball legend Ty Cobb, lived in Royston. Cobb donated $100,000 to establish the Ty Cobb Healthcare System which continues to provide healthcare services to area residents. Other notable individuals from the county include former Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver and D.W. Brooks, founder and chairman of Goldkist, Inc.

Education Emanuel College

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Annual Events Annual events in Franklin County include the Lavonia Fall Festival in September, and the Royston Autumn Festival and the Harvest Festival at Tugaloo Park.

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Gilmer County County Formed December 3, 1832

County Seat Ellijay

Incorporated Cities East Ellijay and Ellijay

Total Area 426.7 square miles

History Gilmer County was created in 1832 from part of Cherokee County. Georgia’s 84th county was named for George Rockingham Gilmer, a State Legislator, member of Congress, and Georgia Governor from 1829 to 1831 and from 1837 to 1839.

Ellijay was the site of an Indian village and bears an Indian name meaning “earth green there.” Cherokee Indians lived in this area until their removal in 1838 to Oklahoma via the “Trail of Tears.”

Points of Interest Nearly half the territory of Gilmer County is within the Chattahoochee National Forest and is protected from development by the Federal Government.

Carters Lake provides a major recreational area in the county. Carters Lake is formed from the Coosawatee River, which is formed from the Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers. The rivers were formerly used for timber operations in the area.

Gilmer County boasts to be the “Apple Capital of Georgia”. Over 600,000 bushels of apples in 25 varieties are produced annually and sold at numerous roadside stands throughout the county.

Annual Events Some of the local festivals include the Georgia Apple Festival, the Cherry Log Festival, the Apple Classic Auto Show, and the Gilmer County Fair.

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Gwinnett County County Formed December 15, 1818

County Seat Lawrenceville

Incorporated Cities Berkely Lake, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, Sugar Hill and Suwanee

Total Area 432.9 square miles

History Gwinnett County was formed from lands obtained through the treaty with the Creek and Cherokee Indians. Georgia’s 42nd county was named for Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Lawrenceville, the county seat, was named after Captain James Lawrence, Commander of the Frigate Chesapeake during the War of 1812. Mortally wounded, he gave his men the battle cry, “Don’t give up the ship.”

Built in 1885 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse was recently renovated and reopened as a community attraction and meeting facility. The graves of eight soldiers who were killed in a battle with Indians in 1836 are located on the courthouse grounds.

Points of Interest Stone Mountain Park, one of Georgia’s most popular tourist attractions, is located on Gwinnett’s border with DeKalb County. Highlights of the 3,200-acre park include a golf course, a 363-acre lake, an antebellum plantation and a carving of Confederate heroes on the world’s largest exposed mass of granite.

The Chattahoochee River forms much of the county’s western border, providing ample opportunity for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities in the county. A part of the 4,000-acre Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is also located within the county.

Education Georgia Perimeter College, Gwinnett Technical College and the new Gwinnett University Center campus.

Annual Events Gwinnett residents and visitors enjoy several festivals and events each year. The Gwinnett County Fairgrounds hosts an Indian Festival in May, a rodeo in July and a countywide fair in September. Most of the 15 municipalities in Gwinnett have an annual celebration or festival, as well.

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Habersham County County Formed December 15, 1818

County Seat Clarkesville

Incorporated Cities Alto, Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mount Airy and Tallulah Falls

Total Area 278.2 square miles

History Habersham County was created in 1818 from Indian treaty lands. Georgia’s 43rd county was named for Major Joseph Habersham, who fought in the Revolutionary War, was Mayor of Savannah, served in Congress and was President George Washington’s Postmaster General.

A Civil War iron works in the county produced guns and cannons for the Confederacy. Most of Habersham County was spared from pillage after Confederate troops turned back Union Calvary in a skirmish near Currahee Mountain.

Points of Interest Habersham’s mountains, lakes and rivers make it a nature lover’s paradise. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county is crossed by parts of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and the Tallulah and Tugaloo Rivers. Part of Tallulah Gorge, considered to be the Grand Canyon of the South, is located in Habersham County. Previously diverted underground for hydroelectric purposes by the Georgia Power Company, the Tallulah River is once again flowing through the gorge over a series of breathtaking waterfalls.

Notable Citizens Several famous individuals have roots in Habersham County. Johnny Mize, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, was born in Demorest. Robert Toombs was a U.S. Senator from 1848 to 1852 and lost the bid for president of the Confederacy to Jefferson Davis by one vote.

Education North Georgia Tech and Piedmont College.

Annual Events Annual events in Habersham County include the Mountain Laurel Festival held in Clarkesville every May. Clarkesville also hosts the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair each September. Cornelia hosts the Big Red Apple Festival during October.

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Hall County County Formed December 15, 1818

County Seat Gainesville

Incorporated Cities Clermont, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Gillsville, Lula and Oakwood

Total Area 393.7 square miles

History Hall County was created in 1818 from Indian treaty lands. Georgia’s 44th county was named for Dr. Lyman Hall, signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of Georgia.

The county seat is Gainesville, which may have been named for early settlers in the area, or for General Edmund P. Gaines, who arrested Aaron Burr for treason.

Gainesville’s municipal power plant was built in 1899. Gainesville was the first southern city to have electric streetlights.

Gainesville is often referred to as the “Poultry Capital of the World.”

Points of Interest Hall County is split by the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier, the most northerly impoundment of the river. Lake Lanier is a major recreation and tourism site and served as the venue for many of the rowing and kayaking events in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Notable Citizens General James Longstreet of the Confederate Army made his post-Civil War home in Hall County. He was appointed Minister to Turkey by President Grant.

Education Gainesville College and Brenau University.

Annual Events There are several festivals held annually in Hall County, including the Georgia Mountain Jubilee held in late April, and the Holiday Marketplace, held in mid- November.

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Hart County County Formed December 7, 1853

County Seat Hartwell

Incorporated Cities Bowersville and Hartwell

Total Area 232.2 square miles

History Hart County was created in 1853 from parts of Elbert, Franklin and Madison counties, and is the only Georgia county named for a woman. Nancy Hart, who lived in the area during the Revolutionary War, served as a rebel spy and killed five Tories who threatened her home. Hartwell, the county seat, is also named for her. The only other municipality is Bowersville.

The Teasley-Holland House in Hartwell is a historic museum in a one-story Victorian style home that was built in 1880 by Isham Asbury Teasley.

Points of Interest Hartwell Lake, which forms parts of the county’s eastern and southern borders, is a major tourist attraction in the region. The lake covers 55,950 acres, and is one of the three most visited Corps of Engineer lakes in the country. Other important attractions in Hart County include Hart State Park, Victoria Bryant State Park, Lake Hartwell Dam and Power Plant and Bluegrass Express.

The Cherokee Indian “Center of the World” is located in the county on Highway 29 South. This Cherokee Indian Assembly ground, marked by a roadside monument, was the site of council meetings and trade with white settlers.

The 118-year old Hartwell Sun provides the community with news coverage of local government, social and recreation stories.

Annual Events Annual events in Hart County include the Arts in Hartwell Festival in April, the Blessing of the Fleet on Lake Hartwell in May, a pre-Labor Day gospel sing, Lake Hartwell Antique Boat Show and Lake Hartwell Dam Run.

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Lumpkin County County Formed December 3, 1832

County Seat Dahlonega

Incorporated Cities Dahlonega

Total Area 284.5 square miles

History Lumpkin County was created in 1832 from parts of Cherokee, Habersham, and Hall counties from Cherokee Indian lands. Discovery of gold led to removal of the Native Americans from North Georgia on the tragic “Trail of Tears”. Lumpkin County was named for Wilson Lumpkin, a member of both houses of Congress and governor of Georgia.

The county seat and only incorporated community is Dahlonega. The name is derived from an Indian word, “Taulonica,” that means “yellow gold.”

Constructed in 1838, the Lumpkin County Courthouse is the oldest public building in north Georgia.

When gold was discovered in the area around 1828, Dahlonega became the site of America’s first major gold rush. Diggers extracted approximately $33 million in gold before abandoning the mines. A U.S. mint operated in Dahlonega from 1836 until 1861.

Points of Interest The Gold Museum provides exhibits on the history of the hills and the Gold Rush of 1828.

The county offers canoeing, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and panning for gold.

Education North Georgia College and State University

Annual Events Annual festivals in the county include the Wildflower Festival of the Arts, the World Championship Gold Panning Competition, Gold Rush Days, and the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival.

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Pickens County County Formed December 5, 1853

County Seat Jasper

Incorporated Cities Jasper, Nelson and Talking Rock

Total Area 232.1 square miles

History Pickens County was created in 1853 from parts of Cherokee and Gilmer counties. Georgia’s 100th county was named for General Andrew Pickens, a Revolutionary War soldier.

A railroad line built in 1883 from Atlanta, through the valleys and mountain passes of Pickens County to Tate and Nelson, made possible the development of large marble quarries. One of the largest marble veins in the world is in Pickens County, running at least four miles long. It is a half-mile deep and almost that wide in places. Over 60 percent of the monuments in Washington, D.C. are made from Pickens County marble.

The Old Federal Road, the earliest vehicular route through northwest Georgia, crossed northern Pickens County at Talking Rock Creek.

Education Appalachian Technical College

Annual Events Several special events take place in Pickens County. Two of the biggest festivals are held in October: the Marble Festival and Heritage Days Festival in Talking Rock.

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Rabun County County Formed December 21, 1819

County Seat Clayton

Incorporated Cities Clayton, Dillard, Mountain City, Sky Valley and Tiger

Total Area 371.1 square miles

History Rabun County was created in 1819 from the cession of Cherokee Indian territory. Georgia’s 47th county was named for Governor William Rabun, the state’s 11th governor.

The county seat of Clayton was named for Judge Augustin S. Clayton, a prominent jurist and Congressman.

According to Indian legend, Rabun Bald Mountain is inhabited by fire-breathing demon people. Campers and other visitors often report hearing strange sounds throughout the night.

Points of Interest Tallulah Gorge is located in Rabun County and is 1,000 feet deep. The river feeding its waterfall was diverted through a tunnel in the 1930s, when a power plant was built there. The waterfall was recently reactivated, and is the highest in the state.

Rabun County is bounded on the west by the mountain ridges of the Appalachian Trail. The Tallulah River, which flows through Lakes Burton, Seed and Rabun to join the Tugaloo River, forms a central pass through the mountains. This and surrounding areas were ruled by Chief Attakullakulla, “Little Carpenter,” who mediated early conflicts between the Cherokee Indians and the white settlers.

Sky Valley, now incorporated, was formerly a resort development. To get to this city, visitors must first drive to North Carolina and enter from the north.

Annual Events Dillard Bluegrass and Barbeque Festival held in August.

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Stephens County County Formed August 18, 1905

County Seat Toccoa

Incorporated Cities Avalon, Martin and Toccoa

Total Area 179.3 square miles

History Stephens County was created in 1905 from parts of Franklin and Habersham counties. The county is named for Alexander Stephens, who served as vice-president of the Confederacy (despite his having opposed secession) and governor of Georgia.

The county’s first inhabitants were an Indian tribe known as the “Mound Builders.” The tribe thrived in Toccoa, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Cherokee tribe who, legend says, named the area “Toccoah,” meaning “beautiful” in their language, followed the Mound Builders.

The City of Toccoa originated in 1874, and can be traced back to the development of a coaling station for the Atlanta to Charlotte Railroad after the Civil War.

Points of Interest: Stephens County is characterized by its bucolic setting and spectacular natural wonders. Located on the campus of the college named for them, Toccoa Falls, which plunge 186 feet, are 19 feet higher than Niagara Falls. The Chattahoochee National Forest, Blue Ridge Parkway, Tugaloo State Park, Lake Hartwell and Yonah Lake beckon to outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Notable Citizens Toccoa was home to Paul Anderson, the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Strongest Man “. Anderson was the 1956 Olympic Gold Medalist in super heavy weight and weightlifting.

Education Toccoa Falls College

Annual Events Stephens County hosts several community events including the Harvest Festival, the Arts Festival, and the Taste of Toccoa.

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Towns County County Formed March 6, 1856

County Seat Hiawassee

Incorporated Cities Hiawassee and Young Harris

Total Area 166.5 square miles

History Towns County, the 117th county formed in Georgia, was created in 1856 from parts of Union and Rabun counties. It was named for George Washington Bonaparte Towns, who was governor of Georgia from 1847 to 1851.

Young Harris was originally named Young Harris College in honor of Judge Young Loftin Gerdine Harris of Athens. It was soon shortened to Young Harris, although there is still a Young Harris College located there.

Hiawassee is a Cherokee word meaning “meadow.”

Points of Interest Chatuge Lake is located in the northern part of the county and reaches into North Carolina. It is a storage facility for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and is also a public preserve.

Notable Citizens Towns County and Young Harris are the home of former Georgia Governor Zell Miller.

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Union County County Formed December 3, 1832

County Seat Blairsville

Incorporated Cities Blairsville

Total Area 322.7 square miles

History Union County, the 88th county formed in Georgia, was created in 1832 from the Cherokee Indian territory. Union County was not named for its support of the North in the Civil War. The county received its name from a then emerging political party called the “Union Party” that was in existence 28 years before the Civil War started.

The county seat of Union County is Blairsville, which is the only incorporated community in the county. Blairsville was named for Captain James Blair, a negotiator with the Indians.

The county is rich in Indian lore. Of particular note was a battle between Creek and Cherokee Indians near Blairsville, the site of which was given the name of Slaughter Gap.

Points of Interest The area increasingly has become a recreational destination since the Tennessee Valley Authority created Nottely Lake on the Nottely River and the development of Vogel State Park, a popular vacation destination.

Much of Union County lies within the Chattahoochee National Forest and, thus, is under Federal ownership. Georgia’s highest point, Brasstown Bald at 4,784 feet, is in Union County. An observation platform offers a spectacular view of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.

Notable Citizens Union County claims several famous residents past and present including: Byron Herbert Reese, a poet and author; Arthur Woody, the “Barefoot Ranger,” a U.S. Ranger from 1911 to 1945; Joseph E. Brown, Georgia’s governor during the Civil War; and Bill Elliot, famous NASCAR driver who now makes his home in Blairsville.

Annual Events The festivals in the county include the Sorghum Festival in October and the Indian Summer Festival.

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White County County Formed December 22, 1857

County Seat Cleveland

Incorporated Cities Cleveland and Helen

Total Area 241.6 square miles

History White County, the 123rd county formed in Georgia, was created in 1857 from a part of the original landlot county of Habersham. The county was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an act creating the new county.

Gold was found in White County in the late 1820s on the Nacoochee River, then known as Duke’s Creek. This area originally belonged to the Cherokee Indians. However, miners and settlers pressured the U.S. government to such a degree that eventually the Cherokee were totally removed from North Georgia to a reservation in Oklahoma.

During the gold mining years, nine gold mines operated in the county. Commercial gold operations remained profitable until as late as 1940.

Points of Interest Helen, in the northern part of the county, had formerly been a summer resort but was destroyed by fire. Later, the town was rebuilt and transformed into an alpine village. It has become a major North Georgia tourist attraction and thriving community.

Cleveland is the site of Babyland General Hospital where all of the Cabbage Patch Kids baby dolls are “born.”

Education Truett-McConnell College

Annual Events Helen is home to one of the nation’s largest Oktoberfests, held in September and October of each year.

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2

Characteristics of the General Population

Demographic Information Intrinsic to the community assessment process are indicators that describe the population and create a profile of the twenty county Ninth District service area Population change within the 20 county report area from 2000-2011 is shown in Table 1. During the eleven- year period, total population estimates for the report area grew by 28.69%, increasing from 1,951,855 persons in 2000 to 2,511,788 persons in 2011. The greatest growth occurred in Forsyth County, Georgia, which experienced a 73.58% increase in population, whereas Stephens County, Georgia, experienced only a 2.08% change. Table 1: Population

County Census 2000 ACS 2007-2011 Population % Change Population Population Change Banks 14,422 18,074 3,652 25.32 Cherokee 141,903 211,316 69,413 48.92 Cobb 607,751 684,468 76,717 12.62 Dawson 15,999 22,121 6,122 38.26 Douglas 92,174 130,473 38,299 41.55 Fannin 19,798 23,529 3,731 18.85 Forsyth 98,407 170,815 72,408 73.58 Franklin 20,285 22,102 1,817 8.96 Gilmer 23,456 28,208 4,752 20.26 Gwinnett 588,448 794,872 206,424 35.08 Habersham 35,902 42,744 6,842 19.06 Hall 139,277 178,286 39,009 28.01 Hart 22,997 25,130 2,133 9.28

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County Census 2000 ACS 2007-2011 Population % Change Population Population Change Lumpkin 21,016 29,419 8,403 39.98 Pickens 22,983 29,406 6,423 27.95 Rabun 15,050 16,302 1,252 8.32 Stephens 25,435 25,964 529 2.08 Towns 9,319 10,502 1,183 12.69 Union 17,289 21,217 3,928 22.72 White 19,944 26,840 6,896 34.58 NDO Area 1,951,855 2,511,788 559,933 28.69 Georgia 8,186,453 9,600,612 1,414,159 17.27 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Census 2010. Release Date: February 2011 and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2011 Data Release, December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is a 5-year average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

Population by gender within the 20 county report area is shown in Table 2. According to the 2010 U.S. Census population counts for the report area, the female population made up 50.92% of the report area, while the male population represented 49.08%. Table 2: Age

0 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 14 15 to 19 20 to 64 65 and Over County M F M F M F M F M F M F Banks 582 550 701 614 698 676 712 631 5539 5392 1066 1234 Cherokee 8120 7681 8882 8471 8430 8080 7365 6989 64253 66377 8824 10874 Cobb 24463 23855 25118 24345 24899 23742 24642 23340 209455 224247 25792 34180 Dawson 666 609 715 730 778 731 702 633 6784 6850 1519 1613 Douglas 4974 4758 5297 5060 5604 5260 5162 5088 37868 42088 4867 6377 Fannin 584 547 606 666 679 654 666 580 6589 6914 2423 2774 Forsyth 7099 6494 8485 8155 7899 7566 5723 5261 50902 52289 7086 8552 Franklin 678 613 699 680 758 658 831 734 6358 6346 1587 2142 Gilmer 832 838 832 848 915 869 928 811 8279 8125 2360 2655 Gwinnett 31948 30294 33811 32887 34046 32284 31293 28663 242424 252566 23631 31474 Habersham 1469 1416 1492 1461 1423 1414 1465 1323 11523 13456 2929 3670 Hall 7270 6853 7379 7194 7009 6527 6790 6126 52421 52105 8732 11278 Hart 778 764 807 715 825 765 858 741 7250 7183 1937 2590 Lumpkin 931 834 878 810 916 827 1323 1339 9086 9228 1760 2034 Pickens 906 836 988 947 969 914 866 861 8496 8843 2215 2590 Rabun 423 394 426 442 554 469 568 521 4495 4525 1559 1900

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Stephens 803 817 832 755 863 821 892 960 7267 7817 1871 2477 Towns 209 174 236 216 250 260 388 438 2522 2717 1391 1670 Union 478 449 524 504 616 566 557 538 5573 5876 2649 3026 White 819 770 866 819 932 891 943 895 7533 7922 2176 2578 NDO Area 94032 89546 99574 96319 99063 93974 92674 86472 754617 790866 106374 135688 Georgia 350673 336112 353909 341252 352577 337107 362934 347065 2871048 3002941 438030 594005 Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Census Summary File 1 Release Date August 25 2011.

Population by race and gender within the 20 county report area is shown in Table 3. According to U.S. Census population estimates for the report area white population comprised 71.83% of the report area black population represented 19.21% and other races combined were 6.29%. Persons identifying themselves as some other race made up 2.67% of the population. It should be remembered that poverty does not strike proportionally across races but it is still expected that the majority of families being served by Ninth District will be white. Table 3: Race Alone or in Combination

White Black American Asian Native Some Other Indian Hawaiian / Race Pacific Islander County M F M F M F M F M F M F Banks 8495 8382 211 216 28 29 87 78 0 3 135 125 Cherokee 91501 94035 5767 6350 426 388 1556 1982 79 56 2225 2246 Cobb 211024 216999 78809 92965 1174 1140 14722 15935 180 166 8987 9676 Dawson 10647 10704 59 46 46 36 42 84 5 4 166 137 Douglas 34255 35203 24216 28074 191 208 877 1027 60 77 1501 1656 Fannin 11206 11801 46 37 31 40 26 51 4 2 139 143 Forsyth 74364 75582 2177 2333 316 259 5232 5693 33 33 1425 1451 Franklin 9505 9775 884 966 24 18 68 53 4 0 186 192 Gilmer 12973 13142 69 66 52 42 27 47 26 13 181 190 Gwinnett 213415 216148 88801 101366 2112 1926 41644 43648 248 229 12598 12694 Habersham 17437 19456 405 1039 97 98 485 475 39 26 382 389

Hall 65703 67494 6511 6768 427 384 1562 1664 93 74 2012 1950 Hart 9573 9942 2368 2342 14 15 89 129 0 0 161 158

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Lumpkin 13991 14286 196 144 88 89 63 75 12 15 285 258 Pickens 13775 14396 169 143 48 33 43 76 5 2 170 175 Rabun 7448 7737 82 74 34 34 53 63 4 4 126 126 Stephens 10710 11576 1309 1536 34 43 78 100 7 8 235 282 Towns 4887 5345 19 22 15 16 15 29 0 1 31 30 Union 10044 10624 67 32 42 30 22 53 4 0 112 142 White 12625 13199 221 236 73 58 55 69 7 2 156 213 NDO Area 843578 865826 212386 244755 5272 4886 66746 71331 810 715 31213 32233 Georgia 2858745 2928695 1380705 1569730 16571 15580 151962 162505 3631 3168 101493 105996 Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Census Summary File 1 Release Date August 25 2011.

Table 4 shows the impact of the Hispanic population on the service area. Over the last ten years the smallest rate of growth was Gilmer County with 47% and the largest was Franklin with 363% growth rate. Data indicate that the Hispanic population has grown in all of the NDO counties in the past two decades. Observations by NDO staff note that as a result of more stringent state immigration enforcement polices, the Hispanic population has stabilized and, in some areas declined. However the Hispanic population still remains a considerable cultural and language influence in many communities. To serve this minority appropriately means addressing a continuing need for bi-lingual staff in both Ninth District programs (especially Head Start/Early Head Start) and other organizations in the Ninth District service area.

Table 4: Hispanic Population Growth

Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Hispanics as Hispanic County population population population Percent of population 1990 2000 2010 County change 2000- Population 2010

Banks 52 493 1041 6% 111%

Cherokee 1059 7695 20566 10% 167%

Cobb 9043 46964 84330 12% 80%

Dawson 39 254 920 4% 262%

Douglas 749 2640 11125 8% 321%

Fannin 62 130 431 2% 232%

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Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Hispanics as Hispanic County population population population Percent of population 1990 2000 2010 County change 2000- Population 2010

Forsyth 635 5477 16550 9% 202%

Franklin 77 187 866 4% 363%

Gilmer 102 1815 2677 9% 47%

Gwinnett 8470 64137 162035 20% 153%

Habersham 342 2750 5333 12% 94%

Hall 4558 27242 46906 26% 72%

Hart 76 196 786 3% 301%

Lumpkin 213 728 1344 4% 85%

Pickens 46 467 819 3% 75%

Rabun 67 683 1301 8% 90%

Stephens 144 250 633 2% 153%

Towns 18 67 206 2% 207%

Union 49 153 519 2% 239%

White 98 311 647 2% 108%

NDO Service Area 25899 162639 359035 NA 121% Source: http://pewhispanic.org/

Table 5 shows the number of households in poverty by type in the 20 county report area. At 83 households Towns County Georgia had the lowest number of female-headed households in poverty while Gwinnett County had the largest number of female-headed households in poverty. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were 59813 households living in poverty within the report area.

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Table 5: Households in Poverty by Family Type 2007- 2011 Total Households in Poverty County Households Overall Married Male Female 2007-2011 Couples Householder Householder Banks 4808 637 494 16 127 Cherokee 58003 3365 1945 238 1182 Cobb 175610 14210 4980 1721 7509 Dawson 6182 552 350 58 144 Douglas 33874 3658 1228 475 1955 Fannin 7213 1036 496 143 397 Forsyth 44505 2135 1148 270 717 Franklin 6099 1014 454 74 486 Gilmer 8142 1185 596 261 328 Gwinnett 198702 19059 9086 1813 8160 Habersham 10858 1588 974 213 401 Hall 45966 5506 2541 754 2211 Hart 6693 1003 450 45 508 Lumpkin 7370 705 259 224 222 Pickens 8084 650 465 56 129 Rabun 4285 546 263 45 238 Stephens 6334 812 459 44 309 Towns 2864 199 92 24 83 Union 6622 789 569 19 201 White 8776 1164 547 217 400 NDO Area 650990 59813 27396 6710 25707 Georgia 2389321 300145 101528 29012 169605 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011. Note: The poverty rate for Household type is based on the total number of households for that household type.

In the Ninth District Opportunity service area there are approximately sixty thousand people in households suffering from poverty. Of this number about forty three percent are in female headed households. It is expected that many of these female-headed households

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 33 will qualify for and receive a good portion of the services offered by Ninth District Opportunities Inc. Table 6 shows percentage of households in poverty by household type in the 20 county report area. At 1.6 percent Forsyth County had the lowest percentage of female-headed households in poverty while the Franklin County had the largest percentage of female- headed households in poverty. In 2011 it is estimated that 9.19 percent of all households were living in poverty within the report area compared to the national average of 10.5 percent. Of the households in poverty female headed households represented 42.98 percent of all households in poverty compared to 11.22 and 45.80 percent of households headed by males and married couples respectively. Table 6: Household Types in Poverty

Male Female Householder County All Types Married Couples Householder Banks 13.2 10.3 0.3 2.6 Cherokee 5.8 3.4 0.4 2.0 Cobb 8.1 2.8 1.0 4.3 Dawson 8.9 5.7 0.9 2.3 Douglas 10.8 3.6 1.4 5.8 Fannin 14.4 6.9 2.0 5.5 Forsyth 4.8 2.6 0.6 1.6 Franklin 16.6 7.4 1.2 8.0 Gilmer 14.6 7.3 3.2 4.0 Gwinnett 9.6 4.6 0.9 4.1 Habersham 14.6 9.0 2.0 3.7 Hall 12.0 5.5 1.6 4.8 Hart 15.0 6.7 0.7 7.6 Lumpkin 9.6 3.5 3.0 3.0 Pickens 8.0 5.8 0.7 1.6 Rabun 12.7 6.1 1.1 5.6 Stephens 12.8 7.2 0.7 4.9 Towns 6.9 3.2 0.8 2.9 Union 11.9 8.6 0.3 3.0 White 13.3 6.2 2.5 4.6 Report Area 9.2 4.2 1.0 3.9

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Male Female Householder County All Types Married Couples Householder Georgia 12.6 4.2 1.2 7.1

Housing

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 519,215 homeowners in the 20 county NDO area in 2000 and 650,037 homeowners in the report area in 2010. Table 7: Home Ownership

County Homeowners 2000 Homeowners 2006/2010 Banks 4341 4904 Cherokee 41502 59946 Cobb 155055 178606 Dawson 4943 6438 Douglas 24564 31977 Fannin 6912 8498 Forsyth 30426 48070 Franklin 6255 6249 Gilmer 7085 8315 Gwinnett 146543 187819 Habersham 10107 11144 Hall 33676 41502 Hart 7359 7262 Lumpkin 5452 7653 Pickens 7354 9059 Rabun 4992 5216 Stephens 7233 6703 Towns 3405 4118 Union 5889 7392 White 6122 9166 NDO Area 519215 650037

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County Homeowners 2000 Homeowners 2006/2010 Georgia 2029154 2331778 Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census of Population and Housing Summary File 1 2000.; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2010 Data Release December 2011. The 2010 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2006 through 2010.

Table 8 shows the housing patterns in the service area. It is interesting to note the numbers of vacant homes in the various counties a number that has increased in every county. It shows that the recent economic downturn has impacted the NDO area housing market. Table 8: Housing Characteristics

Homeowner Rental Mobile County Total Occupied Vacant Vacancy rate Vacancy Home Housing Units Rate Units Units

7493 87.9% 12.1% 0.6% 14.2% 2370 Banks 81587 92.9% 7.1% 2.7% 10.6% 3527 Cherokee 285273 90.7% 9.3% 2.9% 11.2% 3895 Cobb 10324 78.0% 22.0% 3.4% 1.5% 1420 Dawson 51156 88.8% 11.2% 5.0% 9.8% 2693 Douglas 16156 63.7% 36.3% 4.2% 15.4% 2378 Fannin 62918 88.2% 11.8% 7.7% 10.4% 3353 Forsyth 10472 83.8% 16.2% 1.3% 5.6% 2908 Franklin 16422 70.2% 29.8% 6.6% 9.4% 3630 Gilmer 289912 90.4% 9.6% 3.2% 11.2% 4730 Gwinnett 18038 83.5% 16.5% 3.8% 16.3% 3146 Habersham 68027 89.6% 10.4% 2.8% 8.5% 7687 Hall 12865 74.8% 25.2% 3.3% 11.3% 3060 Hart 12677 85.5% 14.5% 3.0% 8.0% 2389 Lumpkin 13624 81.6% 18.4% 2.8% 8.3% 2125 Pickens 12286 56.2% 43.8% 10.4% 14.3% 1527 Rabun

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Homeowner Rental Mobile County Total Occupied Vacant Vacancy rate Vacancy Home Housing Units Rate Units Units 12592 72.9% 27.1% 2.3% 13.0% 2975 Stephens 7724 58.2% 41.8% 6.7% 13.0% 1728 Towns 13935 65.4% 34.6% 5.2% 8.9% 1428 Union 15610 79.8% 20.2% 3.7% 20.9% 2713 White Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013.

The cost of housing in the NDO area is shown in table 9 below.

Table 9: Gross Rent Gross Monthly Rent County $200 to $300 to $500 to $750 to $1000 to $1500 or Median No rent $299 $499 $749 $999 $1499 more (dollars) paid

Banks 8 154 626 201 57 7 671 333 Cherokee 73 483 2645 4794 4835 1616 957 691 Cobb 546 1458 12194 29956 27651 6739 958 2418 Dawson 7 79 433 376 505 93 862 187 Douglas 93 502 2578 4465 4221 637 928 379 Fannin 105 345 671 288 81 0 567 417 Forsyth 28 288 578 1694 2789 1279 1095 699 Franklin 181 584 756 356 59 52 566 333 Gilmer 87 386 1054 613 531 19 682 513 Gwinnett 305 827 10646 27596 27565 7414 980 1800 Habersham 283 585 905 875 245 80 636 455 Hall 220 1031 4551 6704 3752 666 838 1366 Hart 230 410 793 288 102 5 571 308 Lumpkin 125 196 757 693 696 218 837 334 Pickens 142 184 539 925 136 81 771 237 Rabun 56 259 605 318 172 11 703 223 Stephens 154 362 671 471 236 0 636 344 Towns 7 24 213 73 58 37 689 205 Union 135 177 654 559 48 0 623 389 White 133 509 864 933 211 70 698 267 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013.

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Table 10 shows that fair market values have changed since the last assessment. There has not been a consistent movement. In some areas smaller dwellings went up while larger fell in price and in other counties just the opposite was true. NDO Community Services staff reports that finding safe, affordable rental housing in most counties is a challenge for the low-income families and clients. Table 10: Fair Market Values for Rental Property

County Zero One Two bedroom Three bedroom Four bedroom bedroom bedroom FMR FMR FMR FMR FMR Banks $488 $509 $604 $830 $997 Cherokee $676 $737 $874 $1158 $1406 Cobb $676 $737 $874 $1158 $1406 Dawson $676 $737 $874 $1158 $1406 Douglas $676 $737 $874 $1158 $1406 Fannin $440 $443 $569 $753 $1061 Forsyth $511 $737 $874 $1158 $1406 Franklin $676 $443 $569 $753 $1061 Gilmer $511 $514 $672 $837 $1190 Gwinnett $676 $737 $874 $1159 $1406 Habersham $484 $505 $599 $883 $1061 Hall $625 $635 $796 $1033 $1064 Hart $440 $443 $599 $844 $1061 Lumpkin $565 $569 $770 $1038 $1047 Pickens $676 $737 $569 $1158 $1406 Rabun $425 $590 $714 $920 $954 Stephens $463 $466 $630 $869 $1116 Towns $509 $513 $659 $821 $946 Union $484 $487 $659 $855 $881 White $549 $553 $748 $1028 $1133 Source:http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr/fmrs/FY2013_code/2013summary.odn

Housing affordability is a measure of the housing cost burden placed on households. Specifically if a household pays more than 30% of its gross income on housing including utilities they are said to be cost-burdened. Contributing to affordability problems for Georgia’s low-income groups is the fact that new homes coming onto the market are larger and higher quality than previously built homes. In addition to a monthly rent or mortgage payment the cost of utilities is included in the determination of a household’s housing cost burden. Utilities include electric gas water

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 38 telephone and trash removal. Recent increases in energy costs are increasing the percentage of household income that Georgia’s workforce must allocate toward housing costs. Table 11: Housing Affordability

Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income Over last 12 months Less 10 to 15 to 20 to 25 to 30 to 35 to 40 to 50% Not than 14.9 19.9 24.9 29.9 34.9 39.9 49.9 or computed 10 % % % % % % % % more Banks 34 52 160 180 134 113 38 80 294 333

Cherokee 331 1432 2014 2010 1419 1118 729 1550 3805 827

Cobb 2583 5805 10359 10590 8809 7751 5515 6856 19131 3883

Dawson 46 176 144 268 118 31 130 388 234 187

Douglas 244 1186 1637 1724 1441 1268 792 1296 2781 540

Fannin 160 110 178 101 155 191 143 172 347 462

Forsyth 122 246 841 1100 858 711 442 529 1653 853

Franklin 70 230 207 228 241 226 136 238 486 410

Gilmer 77 230 327 334 416 248 182 180 727 549

Gwinnett 1768 4595 8847 9054 9668 7464 5075 7272 19269 3280

Habersham 137 348 336 301 428 389 184 339 504 581

Hall 537 1348 1999 2467 1907 1753 1418 1459 3993 1623

Hart 66 173 148 112 269 24 112 149 706 377

Lumpkin 76 189 404 289 286 225 225 300 725 351

Pickens 139 136 168 223 177 275 126 161 653 237

Rabun 0 147 72 186 170 90 65 278 387 304

Stephens 41 199 88 184 294 309 137 123 521 394

Towns 4 18 103 45 68 9 41 30 94 205

Union 145 135 303 98 110 267 156 114 211 506

White 36 214 230 206 337 393 297 227 666 394

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013.

The number and percentage of occupied housing units without plumbing are shown in the 20 county NDO area in Table 12. U.S. Census data shows 2,635 housing units in the report area were without plumbing in 2000 and 3,952 housing units in the report area were without plumbing in 2010.

Table 12: Unsafe/Unsanitary Homes

Housing Percent Housing Percent Occupied Units Occupied without Units without without County Housing without Housing Units Plumbing Plumbing Plumbing Units 2000 Plumbing 2006-2010 2000 2006-2010 2006-2010 2000 Banks 5364 43 0.74 6463 145 2.24 Cherokee 49495 203 0.39 74339 141 0.19 Cobb 227487 763 0.32 256741 1511 0.59 Dawson 6069 0 0.00 8163 49 0.60 Douglas 32822 78 0.22 44747 198 0.44 Fannin 8369 43 0.39 10524 28 0.27 Forsyth 34565 129 0.35 55380 163 0.29 Franklin 7888 24 0.26 8691 41 0.47 Gilmer 9071 57 0.48 11741 93 0.79 Gwinnett 202317 646 0.31 260375 865 0.33 Habersham 13259 68 0.46 15046 110 0.73 Hall 47381 255 0.50 60173 270 0.45 Hart 9106 61 0.55 9492 44 0.46 Lumpkin 7537 54 0.65 10863 48 0.44 Pickens 8960 37 0.35 11268 87 0.77 Rabun 6279 63 0.62 7148 65 0.91 Stephens 9951 33 0.28 9307 56 0.60 Towns 3998 2 0.03 4758 9 0.19 Union 7159 54 0.54 9471 15 0.16 White 7731 22 0.23 12063 14 0.12 NDO Area 704808 2635 0.37 886753 3952 0.45

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Housing Percent Housing Percent Occupied Units Occupied without Units without without County Housing without Housing Units Plumbing Plumbing Plumbing Units 2000 Plumbing 2006-2010 2000 2006-2010 2006-2010 2000 Georgia 3006369 17117 0.52 3468704 16185 0.47 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013.

The current economic situation has affected the Ninth District area: foreclosures have increased throughout the area but especially in those areas that have seen a large increase in the development of vacation and leisure home. In addition many homes that were built by developers for sale as second homes or vacation homes have not been sold. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is still reporting the following figures for the NDO service area.

Table 13: Foreclosures

County Estimated # Foreclosure Total 90 day vacant Estimated 90 day foreclosures rate residential addresses vacancy rate Banks 128 4.9% 346 5.7% Cherokee 2356 3.2% 1858 2.3% Cobb 7210 3.7% 9915 3.6% Dawson 259 4.4% 621 7.2% Douglas 2341 6.7% 1928 3.8% Fannin 202 5.0% 1032 10.8% Forsyth 1244 2.1% 1267 2.1% Franklin 152 5.9% 839 8.9% Gilmer 185 4.4% 1013 8.3% Gwinnett 10256 4.5% 6372 2.2% Habersham 416 5.7% 849 5.6% Hall 1516 4.1% 2344 3.7% Hart 202 6.5% 628 5.5% Lumpkin 224 4.5% 848 7.3% Pickens 311 4.8% 474 3.3% Rabun 87 3.9% 615 8.3% Stephens 145 5.6% 955 14.4% Towns 68 4.2% 878 15.5% Union 166 4.3% 1544 13.9% White 212 4.6% 952 9.3% Total 27,680 35,278 http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/nsp_foreclosure_data.html

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Homelessness Table 14 below shows the number of the homeless in the NDO service area. The count is higher than many expect given the rural nature of these northern Georgia counties and the extended families that live in the area. The figures have not been updated by the state since the last assessment. NDO staff report that they are seeing more clients and Head Start families that are homeless: many are living temporarily with family and friends; living in camp grounds and/or vehicles; and living in motel/single room rental situations In terms of homeless children being served by Head Start and Early Head Start the services are often provided to the “hidden homeless” who are staying with one set of family or friends for a period and then moving on to other family and friends after a while.

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Table 14: Results for Point-In-Time Homeless Count 2009

County Sheltered Homeless Unsheltered Total Total Persons Homeless Homeless Emergency (Emergency (Counts and and And Transitional Predictive Transitional Housing) Model) Beds Banks 0 27 27 0 Cherokee 6 22 28 13 Cobb 368 126 494 445 Dawson 0 31 31 0 Douglas 117 66 183 144 Fannin 12 76 88 27 Forsyth 12 140 152 32 Franklin 0 51 51 0 Gilmer 4 97 101 4 Gwinnett 112 38 150 150 Habersham 47 59 106 53 Hall 11 230 241 23 Hart 2 65 67 0 Lumpkin 5 36 41 7 Pickens 2 87 89 2 Rabun 0 65 65 0 Stephens 0 65 65 0 Towns 0 47 47 0 Union 14 70 84 14 White 0 52 52 O Service Area 712 1450 2162 914 Source: http://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/SpecialNeeds/publications/homelessReport08lowRes.pdf

Transportation Table 15 shows that there is limited public transportation in the Ninth District service area and heavy reliance on personal transportation. Without the availability of public transportation the families served by Ninth District have had to rely upon private vehicles.

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Most of the families served by Ninth District Opportunity have a vehicle for personal use. Even when public transportation is available families served by Ninth District have had to rely upon private vehicles because jobs are not always where public transportation goes. The TANF program which has moved more families into the workforce has also moved more families into the use of private vehicles.

The critical reliance on personal transportation can cause an instant crisis in a low income family’s budget when the car is in need of major repairs.

Fluctuations in the cost of gasoline have put a strain on the budgets of all income levels but for low income families are an even more significant cost burden and are more difficult to absorb into a family budget.

Table 15: Transportation/Commuting to Work County Drove Used Public Other Walk/Work at Mean Alone Carpool Transportation Means Home Commute Time (minutes)

Banks 70% 20% <1% <1% 8% 30.1 Cherokee 78.7% 10.0% 0.6% 1.0% 0.7% 34.4 Cobb Alone80.3% 9.9% 1.6% 1.1% 1.1% 31.3

Dawson 77.6% 10.5% 0.3% 1.7% 0.4% 34.0 Douglas 81.3% 11.5% 1.5% 0.5% 0.6% 32.3 Fannin 80.6% 13.8% 1.5% 1.0% 0.3% 31.8 Forsyth 79.1% 9.4% 0.6% 0.8% 1.6% 33.2 Franklin 79.9% 8.7% 0.1% 3.3% 1.5% 25.7 Gilmer 73.8% 17.8% 0.0% 0.8% 2.0% 31.1 Gwinnett 78.1% 12.0% 1.1% 0.9% 2.8% 32.2 Habersham 83.4% 10.6% 0.3% 2.4% 0.8% 23.8 Hall 77.9% 14.2% 0.3% 1.2% 1.9% 26.1 Hart 82.9% 10.3% 0.1% 2.0% 0.3% 20.7 Lumpkin 79.2% 11.2% 0.0% 3.7% 0.8% 29.6 Pickens 80.2% 11.0% 0.5% 1.3% 1.1% 32.5 Rabun 82.6% 11.8% 1.2% 1.5% 0.8% 24.1 Stephens 81.2% 12.3% 0.1% 2.2% 0.1% 20.7 Towns 76.2% 9.1% 0.0% 10.2% 0.0% 28.5

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County Drove Used Public Other Walk/Work at Mean Alone Carpool Transportation Means Home Commute Time (minutes)

Union 87.4% 8.1% 0.0% 0.8% 1.4% 27.3 White 84.8% 8.7% 0.6% 2.1% 0.5% 29.6 Source: U.S. CensusAlone Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2013.

Table 16 provides estimates of the number of cars available in the NDO counties and the subsequent percentages.

Table 16: Vehicles Available Vehicles Available No vehicles 1 vehicle 2 vehicles 3 or more available available available vehicles available

Banks Estimate 257 1744 2639 1943 Percent 3.9% 26.5% 40.1% 29.5% Cherokee Estimate 2053 19522 35856 18353 Percent 2.7% 25.8% 47.3% 24.2% Cobb Estimate 10261 85395 110883 52171 Percent 4.0% 33.0% 42.9% 20.2% Dawson Estimate 182 2021 3344 2502 Percent 2.3% 25.1% 41.5% 31.1% Douglas Estimate 1366 13669 18629 11787 Percent 3.0% 30.1% 41.0% 25.9% Fannin Estimate 456 2910 4028 2893 Percent 4.4% 28.3% 39.2% 28.1% Forsyth Estimate 1421 10773 30127 13144 Percent 2.6% 19.4% 54.3% 23.7% Franklin Estimate 603 2338 3237 2596 Percent 6.9% 26.6% 36.9% 29.6% Gilmer Estimate 608 3581 4258 3086 Percent 5.3% 31.1% 36.9% 26.8% Gwinnett Estimate 7140 79499 117444 58086 Percent 2.7% 30.3% 44.8% 22.2% Habersham Estimate 720 4086 6195 4054 Percent 4.8% 27.1% 41.1% 26.9% Hall Estimate 3282 16680 24473 16504 Percent 5.4% 27.4% 40.2% 27.1% Hart Estimate 612 2775 3609 2621 Percent 6.4% 28.9% 37.5% 27.3% Lumpkin Estimate 396 3083 4218 3144 Percent 3.7% 28.4% 38.9% 29.0% Pickens Estimate 402 2947 4904 2863

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Percent 3.6% 26.5% 44.1% 25.8% Rabun Estimate 249 2354 2850 1455 Percent 3.6% 34.1% 41.3% 21.1% Stephens Estimate 524 3007 3191 2453 Percent 5.7% 32.8% 34.8% 26.7% Towns Estimate 202 1410 2019 868 Percent 4.5% 31.3% 44.9% 19.3% Union Estimate 513 2727 3819 2059 Percent 5.6% 29.9% 41.9% 22.6% White Estimate 648 3509 4837 3465 Percent 5.2% 28.2% 38.8% 27.8%

Transportation and Geographic Information (Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs)

New roads are driving changes in the Ninth District Service Area. These new roads bringing in new populations are removing the isolation that was once characteristic of this area. This influx of new families is changing many of the characteristics of service area. One item that has not changed is the heavy reliance upon personal automobiles. The Zell Miller Parkway (Hwy 515/76) north from Atlanta’s Highway 575 becomes Highway 515 to the North Georgia Mountains. The Georgia Mountain Parkway begins in Pickens County gently climbing up Highway 515/76 through Gilmer Fannin Union and into Towns County. The Parkway travels through the Southern Appalachian towns of Jasper Talking Rock Ellijay Blue Ridge McCaysville Blairsville Young Harris and Hiawassee. GA 400 which runs north from Atlanta up to the N.C. Georgia border has had such large growth that in April 2004 the Governor called for expansion of HOV lanes on this road which is considered a “critical congested corridor.” Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2004/04/12)

Poverty and Income Table 17 shows the total population estimates for all persons in poverty for the 20 county report area. According to the American Community Survey 5 year estimates an average of 12.20 percent of all persons lived in a state of poverty during the 2007 - 2011 period. Forsyth had the lowest poverty rate (6.6 percent) while Stephens had the highest poverty rate of 21.9 percent. The poverty rate for all persons living in the 20 county report area is less than the national average of 14.3 percent

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Table 17: Poverty

Geographic Area Poverty Rate for All Persons Total Population In Poverty Poverty Rate Banks 18047 3076 17.0 Cherokee 210059 16113 7.7 Cobb 676315 76183 11.3 Dawson 21830 2949 13.5 Douglas 128738 16287 12.7 Fannin 23205 4382 18.9 Forsyth 170153 11157 6.6 Franklin 21410 4376 20.4 Gilmer 27846 5664 20.3 Gwinnett 788511 97463 12.4 Habersham 40140 7936 19.8 Hall 173823 26184 15.1 Hart 24419 5034 20.6 Lumpkin 27620 4495 16.3 Pickens 28998 3422 11.8 Rabun 16148 3365 20.8 Stephens 24607 5400 21.9 Towns 9782 1222 12.5 Union 20833 3180 15.3 White 26304 4646 17.7 Report Area 2478788 302534 12.2 Georgia 9336746 1541462 16.5 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

Table 18 shows percentage of households in poverty by household type in the 20 county report area. At 1.6 percent Forsyth had the lowest percentage of female-headed households in poverty while the Franklin had the largest percentage of female-headed households in poverty.

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In 2011 it is estimated that 9.19 percent of all households were living in poverty within the report area compared to the national average of 10.5 percent. Of the households in poverty female headed households represented 42.98 percent of all households in poverty compared to 11.22 and 45.80 percent of households headed by males and married couples respectively.

Table 18: Household Poverty Rate by Family Type 2007-2011

Geographic Area All Types Married Couples Male Householder Female Householder Banks 13.2 10.3 0.3 2.6 Cherokee 5.8 3.4 0.4 2.0 Cobb 8.1 2.8 1.0 4.3 Dawson 8.9 5.7 0.9 2.3 Douglas 10.8 3.6 1.4 5.8 Fannin 14.4 6.9 2.0 5.5 Forsyth 4.8 2.6 0.6 1.6 Franklin 16.6 7.4 1.2 8.0 Gilmer 14.6 7.3 3.2 4.0 Gwinnett 9.6 4.6 0.9 4.1 Habersham 14.6 9.0 2.0 3.7 Hall 12.0 5.5 1.6 4.8 Hart 15.0 6.7 0.7 7.6 Lumpkin 9.6 3.5 3.0 3.0 Pickens 8.0 5.8 0.7 1.6 Rabun 12.7 6.1 1.1 5.6 Stephens 12.8 7.2 0.7 4.9 Towns 6.9 3.2 0.8 2.9 Union 11.9 8.6 0.3 3.0 White 13.3 6.2 2.5 4.6 Report Area 9.2 4.2 1.0 3.9 Georgia 12.6 4.2 1.2 7.1 United States 10.5 3.8 1.1 5.6 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

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Note: The poverty rate for Household type is based on the total number of households for that household type.

The poverty rate change for children under five years of age in the 20 county report area from 2000 to 2011 is shown in Table 19. According to the U.S. Census the poverty rate for the 20 county area increased by 11.2% compared to a national increase of 6.6 percent. Gilmer experienced the greatest change in poverty increasing by 28.1% from 2000 - 2011 and Cherokee experienced the least amount of change increasing by 6.6 percent.

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Table 19: Children under Age 4 in Poverty

Geographic Area Children Ages 0 - 4 years Total Population In Poverty Poverty Rate Banks 1170 185 15.8 Cherokee 15937 1403 8.8 Cobb 48958 9105 18.6 Dawson 1245 159 12.8 Douglas 9618 1451 15.1 Fannin 1087 282 25.9 Forsyth 13606 1008 7.4 Franklin 1354 450 33.2 Gilmer 1624 500 30.8 Gwinnett 62884 12852 20.4 Habersham 2750 1050 38.2 Hall 14259 3469 24.3 Hart 1601 508 31.7 Lumpkin 1627 312 19.2 Pickens 1626 305 18.8 Rabun 822 263 32.0 Stephens 1557 494 31.7 Towns 407 108 26.5 Union 845 205 24.3 White 1515 609 40.2 Report Area 184492 34718 18.8 Georgia 677768 177475 26.2 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

Income (Source: 2010 U.S Census figures) The 2010 Census reports the following information for the service area.

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The median income of households in Banks County was $43136. Eighty-two percent of the households received earnings and 14 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $9678. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2000 13 percent of people were in poverty. Twelve percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 16 percent of people 65 years old and over. Ten percent of all families and 28 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Cherokee County was $66507. Ninety percent of the households received earnings and 13 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Seventeen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $16529. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 7 percent of people were in poverty. Eight percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 7 percent of people 65 years old and over. Five percent of all families and 21 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Cobb County was $67877. Eighty-nine percent of the households received earnings and 14 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Seventeen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $16131. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 9 percent of people were in poverty. Eleven percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 8 percent of people 65 years old and over. Six percent of all families and 19 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Dawson County was $58681. Eighty-five percent of the households received earnings and 19 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $15160. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006- 2008 11 percent of people were in poverty. Fifteen percent of related children under 18

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 51 were below the poverty level compared with 3 percent of people 65 years old and over. Seven percent of all families and 34 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Douglas County was $57887. Eighty-eight percent of the households received earnings and 14 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Eighteen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14293. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 11 percent of people were in poverty. Fifteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 12 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eight percent of all families and 22 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Fannin County was $35618. Seventy percent of the households received earnings and 22 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty-one percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14575. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 15 percent of people were in poverty. Seventeen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 15 percent of people 65 years old and over. Fourteen percent of all families and 23 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Forsyth County was $86938. Ninety percent of the households received earnings and 13 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Sixteen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $16910. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 5 percent of people were in poverty. Five percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 6 percent of people 65 years old and over. Four percent of all families and 24 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Franklin County was $37009. Seventy-three percent of the households received earnings and 18 percent received retirement income other than

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Social Security. Thirty-five percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13897. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 18 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-three percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 15 percent of people 65 years old and over. Fourteen percent of all families and 35 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Gilmer County was $34330. Eighty percent of the households received earnings and 14 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-eight percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14567. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 23 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-nine percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 11 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eighteen percent of all families and 43 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Gwinnett County was $66846. Ninety-one percent of the households received earnings and 11 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Fourteen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $15583. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 9 percent of people were in poverty. Thirteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 8 percent of people 65 years old and over. Seven percent of all families and 20 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Habersham County was $45209. Seventy-seven percent of the households received earnings and 18 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-four percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14831. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 14 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-one percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 16 percent of people 65 years old

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 53 and over. Twelve percent of all families and 38 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Hall County was $51637. Eighty-five percent of the households received earnings and 15 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-two percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $15613. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 15 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 16 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eleven percent of all families and 26 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Hart County was $39375. Seventy percent of the households received earnings and 20 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-five percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13887. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 21 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-seven percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 19 percent of people 65 years old and over. Fifteen percent of all families and 45 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Lumpkin County was $43271. Eighty-four percent of the households received earnings and 15 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-six percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13039. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 14 percent of people were in poverty. Twelve percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 13 percent of people 65 years old and over. Ten percent of all families and 25 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Pickens County was $48187. Seventy-eight percent of the households received earnings and 18 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-two percent of the households received Social Security. The average

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 54 income from Social Security was $15616. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 14 percent of people were in poverty. Nineteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 10 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eleven percent of all families and 25 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Rabun County was $39993. Seventy-five percent of the households received earnings and 19 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-six percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $10844. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2000 10 percent of people were in poverty. Nineteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 13 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eight percent of all families and 11 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Stephens County was $34324. Seventy percent of the households received earnings and 16 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14664. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 17 percent of people were in poverty. Seventeen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 15 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eleven percent of all families and 38 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

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Figure 3 : Poverty rate for service area all ages

Source: http://www.communityactioncna.org

The median income of households in Towns County was $37295. Sixty-four percent of the households received earnings and 28 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty-eight percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $11291. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2000 12 percent of people were in poverty. Thirteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 10 percent of people 65 years old and over. Nine percent of all families and 27 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in Union County was $42436. Sixty-six percent of the households received earnings and 22 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty-two percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $16228. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 56 some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 10 percent of people were in poverty. Four percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 12 percent of people 65 years old and over. Six percent of all families and 19 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

The median income of households in White County was $42863. Seventy-two percent of the households received earnings and 18 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-five percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13809. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is some households received income from more than one source. In 2006-2008 18 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-five percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level compared with 12 percent of people 65 years old and over. Fifteen percent of all families and 42 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

Table 20: Types of Jobs Held By NDO Clients/Head Start Parents

County Types of Jobs

Banks Manufacturing or plant work fast food substitute teachers retail

Cherokee Cashier grocery store work construction food service manufacturing day labor health care substitute teacher

Cobb Construction landscaping housekeeping food services

Dawson Construction house cleaning fast food retail restaurant clerical

Douglas Cooks CNAs day care centers store clerks construction restaurant

Fannin Construction fast food

Forsyth Landscaping house cleaning construction food service

Forsyth EHS Food services retail sales

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County Types of Jobs

Franklin Manufacturing health care food services

Gilmer Textile manufacturing food services construction

Gwinnett Food services, sales, housekeeping, servers, childcare. medical assistants home health care construction customer services cleaning services painting landscaping

Habersham Construction landscaping poultry processing manufacturing housekeeping

Hall Poultry processing , day labor construction, cleaning services, fast food

Hall EHS Poultry processing, construction restaurant cleaning services

Hart Factory and manufacturing food services, health care

Hart EHS Health care cleaning services food services

Lumpkin Construction manufacturing customer service cashier financial services restaurants

Pickens Housekeeping farming fast food construction landscaping retail health care

Rabun Construction/roofing housekeeping law enforcement postal services restaurants/fast food retail health care Stephens Food service manufacturing health care

Union Construction landscaping painting retail sales restaurant wait staff health care

White Fast food construction retail sales restaurant wait staff health care

Source: 2010 NDO Program Data

Table 20 above shows that the working families that are eligible for CSBG and/or Head Start services are working in labor sectors that traditionally do not pay high wages . Also, these jobs often have erratic and unpredictable schedules. The high numbers of families working in the construction and/or landscaping industry do not reflect a skilled workforce

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 58 but rather the high number of individuals in the day-labor market. For the most part families who indicated employment in the restaurant industry were employed in fast-food establishments.

Ninth District Head Start and CSBG programs are seeing many more employed individuals who are still eligible for services and programs that have a low income means test. Additionally NDO Head Start and CSBG programs are seeing more families who are “new to poverty” families who have lost jobs have had job hours cut back so severely that in addition to the loss of income there has also been a loss of benefits; these families often do not know what programs they are eligible for or how to go about applying for services.

As Table 21 reveals the percentage of families receiving SSI Social Security and Pensions is much higher for CSBG clients than for Head Start families because CSBG serves a much larger percentage of elderly individuals.

Table 21: NDO CSBG Client's Source of Income No Income 10.5% TANF 0.88% SSI 17.5%

Social Security 51.3%

Pension 4.7% General Assistance 0 Unemployment Insurance 6.3% Employment + other source 6.4% Employment Only 21.3% Other 25.9%

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3

Characteristics of the Head Start and CSBG Population Served

Poverty Information The rate of poverty among children in the Ninth District service area varies considerably. Of the twenty counties that make up the agency’s service area Cherokee County (9%) Forsyth County (7%) and have the lowest percentage of children in poverty. These counties are all included in Atlanta SMSA and have areas that include some of the wealthiest communities in Georgia.

The incidence of child poverty is dramatically higher in the rural counties served by Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Four counties with a quarter of the children in the county being raised in poverty are White (40%) Habersham (38%) Franklin (33%) and Rabun (32%). The percentage of children under the age of 18 in poverty in Georgia is 23% which is consistent with the majority of the Ninth District counties.

Table 22 reflects the number of children by county and age group who will be eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services. It is important to note that while poverty rates are quite high in some counties the number of children eligible to be served will be small because of the lower population overall.

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Table 22: Children in Poverty

Geographic Area Children Ages 0 - 4 years Total Population In Poverty Poverty Rate Banks 1170 185 15.8 Cherokee 15937 1403 8.8 Cobb 48958 9105 18.6 Dawson 1245 159 12.8 Douglas 9618 1451 15.1 Fannin 1087 282 25.9 Forsyth 13606 1008 7.4 Franklin 1354 450 33.2 Gilmer 1624 500 30.8 Gwinnett 62884 12852 20.4 Habersham 2750 1050 38.2 Hall 14259 3469 24.3 Hart 1601 508 31.7 Lumpkin 1627 312 19.2 Pickens 1626 305 18.8 Rabun 822 263 32.0 Stephens 1557 494 31.7 Towns 407 108 26.5 Union 845 205 24.3 White 1515 609 40.2 Report Area 184492 34718 18.8 Georgia 677768 177475 26.2 United States 19864406 4602972 23.2 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011

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Figure 3: Child Poverty by County

Source: http://www.communityactioncna.org

To see how the poverty patterns have changed it is useful to observe the rate of change in poverty for children. Fifteen of the twenty counties had a rate of change greater than the average for the service area. What this means is that that poverty is increasing more rapidly in some area than in others.

Table 23: Rate of Change in Poverty

Geographic Area Children 0-4 Poverty Rate Children 0-4 in Poverty Change in in Poverty 2000 Poverty 2011 Rate 2011 Poverty 2000 Rate 2000 - 2011 Banks 240 20.9 399 36.8 15.8 Cherokee 1114 8.6 2342 15.2 6.6 Cobb 5272 11.0 9443 19.4 8.5 Dawson 201 16.2 334 28.4 12.2 Douglas 1105 15.3 2264 23.8 8.5 Fannin 307 26.6 530 48.4 21.8 Forsyth 656 6.4 1743 13.2 6.8 Franklin 312 24.3 532 40.6 16.2 Gilmer 418 23.2 820 51.3 28.1 Gwinnett 5216 9.9 15183 24.6 14.7 Habersham 468 18.5 879 31.5 13.0

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Geographic Area Children 0-4 Poverty Rate Children 0-4 in Poverty Change in in Poverty 2000 Poverty 2011 Rate 2011 Poverty 2000 Rate 2000 - 2011 Hall 2204 17.2 4378 30.8 13.5 Hart 311 20.9 496 33.3 12.4 Lumpkin 280 18.5 490 29.5 10.9 Pickens 311 19.2 546 33.3 14.2 Rabun 222 22.1 367 40.3 18.1 Stephens 435 25.8 625 39.7 13.9 Towns 89 20.6 157 43.0 22.4 Union 221 24.1 354 40.2 16.2 White 285 21.1 512 34.1 13.0 Report Area 19667 12.0 42394 23.3 11.2 Georgia 133769 20.9 211638 31.3 10.4 United States 4050543 20.3 5409513 27.0 6.6 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

The next figure indicates the change in poverty rates for children over the last decade.

Source: http://www.communityactioncna.org

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Table 24: Estimated Number of Head Start Eligible Children

County Estimated eligible children Estimated eligible children per year age age 0 to 4 group Banks 185 46 Cherokee 1403 351 Cobb 9105 2276 Dawson 159 40 Douglas 1451 363 Fannin 282 71 Forsyth 1008 252 Franklin 450 113 Gilmer 500 125 Gwinnett 12852 3213 Habersham 1050 263 Hall 3469 867 Hart 508 127 Lumpkin 312 78 Pickens 305 76 Rabun 263 66 Stephens 494 124 Towns 108 27 Union 205 51 White 609 152 Service Area 34718 8680 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

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An initial look at the at Figure 4 and the data in Table 24 leads the reader to believe that Ninth District Opportunity Head Start is not serving even a fraction of the eligible children. However the disparity in population numbers between the counties comes into play when evaluating the services to preschool children. In five counties (Dawson Hart Pickens Rabun and Towns) Ninth District is serving over 90% of the children eligible for preschool Head Start. Yet in four other counties (Cherokee Cobb Forsyth and Gwinnett) the program is serving less that 20% of the eligible children.

The obvious need is for Early Head Start services with Ninth District’s Early Head Start sites serving a total of 76 infants toddlers and pregnant women; this number is less than 1% of the total number of eligible zero to three-year-olds in the Ninth District service area.

In 18 counties Ninth District is receiving funding from the Georgia Office of School Readiness as a Pre-K provider. In five counties extended day services are provided to Head Start children whose parents are working or in school.

Education Table 25: Education Levels: All Population

Geographic % No High % High % Some % % % Graduate or Area School School Only College Associates Bachelors Professional Diploma 2006/2010 2006/2010 degree degree 2006/2010 2006/2010 2006/2010 2006/2010 Banks 27.00 42.43 15.67 4.4 6.56 3.94 Cherokee 11.06 24.52 23.41 7.5 24.49 9.06 Cobb 9.84 20.37 19.63 6.3 29.29 14.56 Dawson 15.39 39.11 20.93 5.8 13.14 5.67 Douglas 13.64 32.76 22.42 7.5 15.99 7.66 Fannin 22.11 39.73 15.72 6.3 8.93 7.24 Forsyth 9.38 20.52 19.23 7.3 31.09 12.48 Franklin 25.70 39.67 15.63 5.4 9.14 4.50 Gilmer 24.63 36.20 20.68 5.1 9.35 4.08 Gwinnett 12.71 23.41 20.29 8.7 24.01 10.88 Habersham 25.04 32.67 17.77 5.9 11.61 7.05 Hall 23.54 30.51 19.13 5.8 13.42 7.57

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Geographic % No High % High % Some % % % Graduate or Area School School Only College Associates Bachelors Professional Diploma 2006/2010 2006/2010 degree degree 2006/2010 2006/2010 2006/2010 2006/2010 Hart 24.74 36.98 17.00 6.1 9.60 5.60 Lumpkin 19.14 34.91 20.84 5.6 12.70 6.78 Pickens 20.67 32.60 19.27 5.5 14.67 7.32 Rabun 19.50 30.52 20.06 5.2 15.47 9.26 Stephens 25.16 38.57 17.24 5.8 7.78 5.50 Towns 13.54 37.37 19.58 8.8 12.38 8.39 Union 17.11 28.93 24.83 7.6 13.36 8.20 White 16.74 36.39 20.58 6.7 10.42 9.14 Report Area 13.66 25.26 20.13 7.2 22.94 10.83 Georgia 16.52 29.61 20.08 6.6 17.54 9.67 United States 14.97 28.99 20.62 7.5 17.60 10.30 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2011 Data Release December 2012. The 2011 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2007 through 2011.

Table 26 shows the educational levels of the parents of Head Start children. Thirty-nine percent of the parents of children enrolled in the 2009-10 school year had less than a high school diploma a fact which points to the continuing need for GED classes and a continued sensitivity to the reading levels of the Head Start parents.

Forty-seven percent of Head Start parents have a high school diploma or a GED and just over one in five (22%) have some college or a college degree. Staff continues to provide information and encouragement to parents to continue their education since with education come more employment opportunities.

For Early Head Start the high numbers of parents not completing their high school education reflect the relatively young age of the parents many of whom are still attending high school.

Table 27 shows the education level of the clients participating in Ninth District Opportunity CSBG programs. Twenty-nine percent of the participants do not have a high school

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Table 26: Education Level of Adults Participating NDO CSBG Programs

0 – 8th grade 1,386 10.9% 9-12 Non Graduate 4,010 31.8% High School graduate or GED 5,269 41.7% 12+ some post secondary 1,571 12.6% 2 or 4 years college 380 3.0% Total 12,616 Source: NDO CSBG 2012-13 Data

Adult Literacy

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produces estimates for adult literacy based on educational attainment, poverty and other factors in each county. Estimated literacy rates for the 20 county report area ranged from 8 in Forsyth to 25 in Hall. Table 27: Literacy Rates (adults over 24)

Geographic Area Estimated Population Percent Lacking Literacy Skills over 16 Banks 11782 17% Cherokee 122846 9 Cobb 482322 12 Dawson 14258 10 Douglas 75313 12 Fannin 17044 15 Forsyth 90920 8 Franklin 16052 17 Gilmer 20073 18 Gwinnett 492547 19 Habersham 28757 18 Hall 114326 25 Hart 17770 17 Lumpkin 17161 13

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Geographic Area Estimated Population Percent Lacking Literacy Skills over 16 Pickens 20924 12 Rabun 12461 14 Stephens 18946 16 Towns 7951 13 Union 15301 13 White 17465 13 Report Area 1614219 15 Georgia 6365942 17 United States 15058111 22

Source http://nces.ed.gov/naal/estimates/StateEstimates.aspx Downloaded June 14, 2013

Racial and Ethnic Information As seen in Table 28 there is wide variation in the racial and ethnic breakdown in the families served by Ninth District. In the rural mountainous areas the population served is primarily white. However in Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett, Hall, Hart, and Stephens Counties there are more black children being served in Head Start than white. In all the counties in the service area there is some Hispanic presence but few other ethnic groups are being served. In Hall County Head Start enrollment is nearly two thirds Hispanic. The pockets of greatest need lay in the racial and ethnic minority populations.

Table 28: NDO Head Start/ EHS Participants/Clients by Race

American Indian/Alaskan Native Asian

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander White

Bi-Racial-Multi Racial

Source: Ninth District Head Start PIR Data

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Community Services Programs African American 6,846 21.3% Asian 98 0.3% Native American 16 0.05% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 3 >0.01% White 23,482 72.9% Other 1,347 4.2% Multi-race 390 1.2%

CSBG Reported data May 2013

Despite different criteria for participation in the various programs administered by NDO the over-all racial make-up of the programs is very similar. The biggest difference in racial/ethnic characteristics between Head Start and the rest of the NDO programs in that Head Start serves a much higher percentage of Hispanic participants. Hispanics make up only 1.6% of the Community Services program participants. This disparity is mainly due to the requirement for proof of citizenship for state-funded programs. Head Start/Early Head Start program participation is not citizenship dependent.

Nutrition Nutrition continues to be an issue in the low income community in the Ninth District service area. The Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is readily available for low income families and for families with young children; the WIC program also provides food assistance. Community food pantries are located in all of the counties. The primary nutrition issue is that families are not eating healthy meals. In the rural communities distance to full service grocery stores can be considerable so families use small community stores that often do not have fresh fruits or vegetables. In more urbanized areas the availability of prepackaged precooked food is often an easier choice than cooking.

Dramatic increases in overweight and obesity have been documented among U.S. children above six years of age in both genders and in all population groups. In the United States approximately one child in five is now overweight. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Additionally an overweight school-aged child with an obese parent has over a 70% chance of being obese in young adulthood.

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Nationally the Office of Head Start has recognized this trend and is requesting that local Head Start programs like Ninth District take appropriate action steps in menu planning and parent education activities to address the problem.

The Family Health Branch Division of Public Health in a recent report on the status of obesity in Georgia stated “Prevention and control of obesity should be emphasized as essential in the development of public health programs instead of treatment of the weight problem after it has developed. There is little research available on obesity prevention today but obviously prevention efforts could be most successful if effectively established in early childhood....

“Community-based obesity prevention approaches are needed to reach children and their parents. Solutions cannot be approached effectively without proper data to assess definite needs. Research indicates that parents or caregivers who understand good nutrition can help preschoolers choose healthful foods but have less influence on the choices of children as they mature. Thus the impact of nutrition and physical activity education on health may be more effective if directed toward preschool children and their parents/caregivers with continued emphasis on these messages and initiatives through pre-adolescence.”

Children adopt inappropriate eating habits quite early and these habits are difficult to change. According to a recent children’s eating behavior study “An enormous amount of learning about food and eating occurs during the transition from exclusive milk diet of infancy to the omnivore’s diet consumed in early childhood.” This is a difficult age level for interventions even when using careful instruction with parents. Too much control by parents may backfire and provide children with fewer opportunities to learn self-control. Another study concluded that mothers particularly those with less education (high school degree or less) failed to recognize their over-weight children as being overweight. Ninth District’s parent education programs and emphasis on healthy nutrition practices in the preschool classroom will address these issues.

In the NDO service area the availability of food is not an issue but it is economically challenging for low income families to purchase the most nutritious foods: good quality meats fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and often out of the financial reach of low income families.

The three main nutritional issues for children served in the NDO area are:

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For children: 1. At risk for overweight or already overweight 2. Anemia 3. Children with food allergies and food intolerances

For adults: 1. At risk for overweight or overweight 2. Lack of knowledge of sound nutrition principles 3. Lack of knowledge of food preparation

Of the NDO’s 2422 children 1204 families are on WIC and 1574 are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Nutrition: Early Head Start

For children: 1. Allergies 2. Nutritional issues outside of the program 3. Specialized formula needs/food needs

For pregnant women: 1. Lack of understanding of nutritional needs during pregnancy 2. Gestational diabetes 3. High blood pressure due to pregnancy and diet

Of the Early Head Start families served by NDO: 96% are on WIC and 78% are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Free/Reduced Lunch The following table shows that 20,8770 students (or 45.46 percent) received free or reduced price lunches during the 2009 - 2010 school year in the 20 counties served by NDO Head Start/Early Head Start. At 18.25 percent Forsyth had the smallest percentage

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 71 of students participating in the school lunch program while Gilmer had 64.62 percent of students participating which is more than the national average of 46.62 percent.

Table 29: Free/Reduced Lunch Participation

County Students Total Student Percent of Students Participating Enrollment Participating Banks 2137 3372 63.37 Cherokee 10684 38293 27.90 Cobb 48502 115097 42.14 Dawson 1501 3502 42.86 Douglas 13982 24951 56.04 Fannin 2266 3728 60.78 Forsyth 6243 34208 18.25 Franklin 2123 3759 56.48 Gilmer 2705 4186 64.62 Gwinnett 81170 162661 49.90 Habersham 3455 6442 53.63 Hall 19721 32279 61.10 Hart 2000 3453 57.92 Lumpkin 2045 3834 53.34 Pickens 2253 4478 50.31 Rabun 1480 2344 63.14 Stephens 2299 4121 55.79 Towns 609 1133 53.75 Union 1520 3553 42.78 White 2075 3871 53.60 Report Area 208770 459265 45.46 Georgia 934899 1667685 56.06 Source: National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data (CCD) 2009-10 School Universe data.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The following table shows that 53,446 households (or 6.03 percent) received SNAP payments during 2010. During this same period there were 65,679 (or 7.41 percent) households with income levels below the poverty level that were not receiving SNAP payments. At 2.95 percent Forsyth had the smallest percentage of households receiving SNAP payments while Hart had 12.73 percent of households receiving SNAP payments which is more than the national average of 9.26 percent. Table 30: SNAP participation on the NDO Service area

Geographic Households Receiving SNAP Households Not Receiving SNAP Area Total Percent Income Income Total Percent Income Income Below Above Below Above Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Banks 583 9.02 344 239 5880 90.98 724 5156 Cherokee 2320 3.12 1015 1305 72019 96.88 4350 67669 Cobb 13041 5.08 6594 6447 243700 94.92 17207 226493 Dawson 867 10.62 348 519 7296 89.38 498 6798 Douglas 4210 9.41 1579 2631 40537 90.59 3067 37470 Fannin 1087 10.33 628 459 9437 89.67 1212 8225 Forsyth 1631 2.95 541 1090 53749 97.05 2496 51253 Franklin 984 11.32 650 334 7707 88.68 1000 6707 Gilmer 895 7.62 441 454 10846 92.38 1657 9189 Gwinnett 14111 5.42 5891 8220 246264 94.58 18074 228190 Habersham 1024 6.81 650 374 14022 93.19 1902 12120 Hall 5495 9.13 2875 2620 54678 90.87 4978 49700 Hart 1208 12.73 922 286 8284 87.27 1163 7121 Lumpkin 946 8.71 425 521 9917 91.29 1417 8500 Pickens 814 7.22 541 273 10454 92.78 819 9635 Rabun 605 8.46 441 164 6543 91.54 994 5549 Stephens 1007 10.82 619 388 8300 89.18 1236 7064 Towns 288 6.05 136 152 4470 93.95 373 4097 Union 873 9.22 472 401 8598 90.78 1015 7583 White 1457 12.08 1032 425 10606 87.92 1497 9109 NDO Area 53446 6.03 26144 27302 833307 93.97 65679 767628 Georgia 344023 9.92 195123 148900 3124681 90.08 312741 2811940

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2010 Data Release December 2011. The 2010 American Community Survey 5-year data is an average of data collected from 2006 through 2010. SNAP numbers are for the last 12 months of the five-year average (2010).

Health

Although the increase in population in the Ninth District service area has also brought an increase in physicians health related resources and primary care facilities: accessibility and availability for low income individuals continues to be a problem: Those families and individuals receiving Medicaid Medicare and (for children) Peach Care still find that many physicians either do not accept these health plans or limit the number of patients on the public insurance they do take.

Many low income individuals especially adults do not have health insurance through their employer and/or cannot afford it of it is offered. The result of this is that preventive care does not happen: Going to the doctor is reserved for emergencies and/or when the situation is of a very severe nature.

Availability also covers the lack of night and weekend hours at public clinics and health department services: Many of the NDO families cannot take time from their jobs to access medical services during work hours. For the northern rural counties families often have to drive considerable distances for medical services.

Table 31: Health Care providers

County Total Hospitals Nursing Federally Rural Health Community Institutional Facilities Qualified Clinics Mental Providers Health Health Centers Centers Banks 4 0 1 1 0 0 Cherokee 21 1 3 1 0 0 Cobb 90 5 13 3 0 1 Dawson 1 0 0 0 1 0 Douglas 16 1 1 0 0 0 Fannin 12 1 1 3 2 0 Forsyth 20 1 2 2 0 0 Franklin 8 1 1 1 2 0

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County Total Hospitals Nursing Federally Rural Health Community Institutional Facilities Qualified Clinics Mental Providers Health Health Centers Centers Gilmer 8 1 1 0 2 0 Gwinnett 68 3 10 2 0 0 Habersham 7 1 1 0 0 0 Hall 35 1 5 1 1 0 Hart 6 1 2 1 0 0 Lumpkin 8 1 1 0 1 0 Pickens 8 1 3 0 1 0 Rabun 6 1 1 1 1 0 Stephens 6 1 1 0 0 0 Towns 7 1 1 0 1 0 Union 7 1 1 0 1 0 White 3 0 2 0 0 0 NDO Area 341 23 51 16 13 1 Georgia 1922 190 359 108 94 9 Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Provider of Services File Second Quarter 2011

Table 32: Hospitals and Physician Counts

Hospitals Physicians Total Physicians Pediatric Physicians Family Practice County

0 5 0 1 Banks 1 184 20 43 Cherokee 3 1138 123 117 Cobb . 13 2 7 Dawson

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Hospitals Physicians Total Physicians Pediatric Physicians Family Practice County

1 124 17 17 Douglas 1 38 4 16 Fannin 1 159 24 40 Forsyth 1 26 2 10 Franklin 1 26 2 10 Gilmer 3 913 128 136 Gwinnett 1 42 5 8 Habersham 1 346 23 38 Hall 1 20 0 9 Hart 1 26 2 8 Lumpkin 1 30 3 7 Pickens 1 18 1 5 Rabun 1 41 6 6 Stephens Towns 1 12 0 6

1 28 1 10 Union . 10 0 6 White 21 3199 363 500 Service Area Source: http://www.georgiastats.uga.edu/sasweb/cgi-bin/broker Accessed June 24, 2013

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The three main health issues for preschool age children in the NDO area are:

1. At risk for obesity or obese 2. Asthma 3. Vision problems

For children age 0-3 the Early Head Start population the three main health issues are:

1. Upper respiratory infections/asthma 2. Skin rashes 3. Anemia

For low income adults throughout the NDO area the major health issues are: 1. Lack of affordable or accessible medical care 2. Obesity/smoking/drug dependence 3. Low health literacy

Dental Health

For adults throughout the NDO area dental issues include: 1. Lack of accessibility to affordable dental care (high cost factors no insurance not many providers who will see adults without insurance) 2. Lack of implementation of education concerning nutrition and hygiene and/or preventive care 3. Failure to follow up on regular preventive care

The main dental issues for children in the NDO area include: 1. Extensive early childhood dental decay 2. Poor oral health/hygiene

For Early Head Start children issues regarding dental health include: 1. Reluctance of dentists to provide services to children 0-3 years old 2. Excessive sugar intake leading to caries disease caused by juices and sweetened juice drinks in bottles 3. Early childhood caries disease

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Most families do not have dental health insurance. The challenge for NDO staff has been educating families about the importance of regular dental care but for most families dental care only happens when there is an obvious dental emergency. As with medical services; the dentist is often a considerable distance from where the family lives so the transportation issues (time and cost) often stop a family from getting services.

Mental Health

Lack of affordable mental health services in the rural communities is a major community mental health issue. In the northern rural counties only physicians and psychologists are available to provide services. Community-based services residential care for low income substance abusers or local services are not available. Most mental health services are not covered by Medicaid or Peach Care. The stigma of applying for or seeking mental health services still acts a barrier for many community members. Budget cutbacks in community agencies have impacted the availability of mental health services throughout the Ninth District area.

For adults in the NDO area mental health issues include: 1. Depression and bipolar 2. Stress anxiety and depression brought on by lack of work 3. Lack of interpersonal skills

The three major mental health issues in NDO Head Start/Early Head Start children include: 1. Behavioral concerns: ADHA ADD 2. Anxiety/withdrawal/attachment 3. Environmental factors (homelessness, foster care, transient)

The NDO Head Start program continues to have the challenge of overcoming the prejudice in the community about using mental health services. Many parents are not willing to have their children observed for suspected mental health issues and/or are unwilling to accept referrals to community mental health resources. Parent education and training continue in this area.

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Health Insurance

The uninsured population is calculated by estimating the number of persons eligible for insurance (generally those under 65) minus the estimated number of insured persons. In 2010 the percentage of persons uninsured ranged from 14.5 in Forsyth to 27.7 in Gilmer.

Table 33: Health Insurance

County Insurance Number Insured Number Percent Population (2010 Uninsured Uninsured Estimate) Banks 16108 11976 4132 25.7 Cherokee 192986 158516 34470 17.9 Cobb 617866 495517 122349 19.8 Dawson 18831 14736 4095 21.7 Douglas 119928 95576 24352 20.3 Fannin 18387 13530 4857 26.4 Forsyth 159027 135928 23099 14.5 Franklin 17943 13600 4343 24.2 Gilmer 23129 16713 6416 27.7 Gwinnett 745259 562326 182933 24.5 Habersham 34233 25178 9055 26.5 Hall 157317 116661 40656 25.8 Hart 20192 15443 4749 23.5 Lumpkin 24509 18727 5782 23.6 Pickens 24401 19391 5010 20.5 Rabun 12672 9166 3506 27.7 Stephens 21320 16216 5104 23.9 Towns 6822 5197 1625 23.8 Union 15382 11375 4007 26.0 White 22066 16515 5551 25.2 Report Area 2268378 1772287 496091 21.9 Georgia 8435908 6587403 1848505 21.9 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Health Insurance Estimates 2010 (October 2012 release).

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As provisions of the Affordable Care Act come on line the availability of health insurance, especially for low-income families, should increase. Even with the increased availability of health insurance under Medicare and Peach Care, the issue for many families will be finding health care providers who will accept payment from these programs.

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4

Services Available in the Ninth District Opportunity Head Start Area

Child Care Services and Programs Available in the Ninth District Opportunity Head Start Area

Not surprisingly the number of child care programs across the Ninth District Opportunity counties reflects the diversity of the service area. Populous counties like Cobb and Gwinnett offer literally hundreds of child care options while Banks, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens and White counties contain ten or fewer child care programs.

Table 23: Child Care Programs in the Ninth District Area County All Pre-K Children (Includes NDO) Served Banks 4 259

Cherokee 36 1595

Cobb 98 4222

Dawson 6 220

Douglas 24 1054

Fannin 2 89

Forsyth 29 1194

Franklin 2 120

Gilmer 2 159

Gwinnett 143 7500

Habersham 10 338

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County All Pre-K Children (Includes NDO) Served Hall 40 1496

Hart 2 115

Lumpkin 2 120

Pickens 2 100

Rabun 1 60

Stephens 7 158

Towns 1 39

Union 2 67

White 1 120

Source: www.sitesearch.decal.state.us accessed: April 12010

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. Bright from the Start oversees a wide range of programs focused primarily on children ages birth to school age and their families. These include:

 Administering Georgia’s Pre-K Program Licensing and monitoring all center-based and home-based child care facilities (approximately 10000)  Overseeing the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program  Implementing the Standards of Care Program and Family Homes of Quality to help child care providers enhance the quality of their programs  Housing the Head Start State Collaboration Office Funding and partnering with the resource and referral agencies that provide services and information to families and child care providers at the local level  Administering federal quality dollars  Providing technical assistance training and support to families and child care providers who care for children with special needs  Collaborating with Head Start Family Connection the Department of Human Resources Family and Children Services the Division of Public Health and Smart Start Georgia to blend federal state and private dollars to enhance early care and education

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 Ensuring that registered Family Child Care Providers Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes are licensed to accept up to a certain number of children based on size and facilities; Family Child Care Providers are limited to six children not their own.

Many public schools offer before- and after-school programs and summer programs. Under Georgia law school-based programs including Head Start are exempt from childcare licensing requirements as are some part-day programs offered by other entities.

Using the day care center rules childcare surveyors from Bright from the Start inspect licensed centers at least once a year.

Family Day Care Homes are registered to provide care to three to six children. Day care is usually delivered in the home of the family day care operator. These homes are usually inspected as part of the registration process using the family day care rules which cover some very basic safety and care issues. Childcare surveyors from Bright from the Start visit approximately 20% of the homes annually. The rules are not as strict as those that are used for day care centers and group day care homes.

Group Day Care Homes are licensed day care programs that care for seven to 18 children. This group home care may be provided in either a home setting or a small day care center setting. These homes are inspected at least once a year by childcare surveyors from the Office of Regulatory Services using the group day care home rules.

Low-income working parents are eligible for subsidized childcare slots through the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program. These subsidized childcare slots are limited and many more individuals apply for the program than can be served.

It is difficult to assess the number of children who are cared for outside their own homes by relatives or in unlicensed childcare. However some parts of the Ninth District Opportunity area have few commercial child care centers in part because there is very little demand for the service; extended families in the community care for children of working parents. The underground economy of child care continues to grow as more mothers enter the work force in jobs that do not pay enough to allow parents to pay for quality licensed child care.

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Ninth District Head Start operates both licensed childcare centers and Pre-K programs. Cost of childcare for those families not eligible for the CAPS subsidy ranges considerably in the Ninth District area.

Table 34: 2011 Georgia Market Rate Survey: Full-time Weekday Care 75th Percentile Rates Age of Provider State- Cherokee Dawson Banks Fannin Children Type wide Cobb Hart Franklin Gilmer Douglas Lumpkin Habersham Forsyth Pickens Rabun Gwinnett Stephens Towns Hall Union White Centers $160.00 $200.00 $125.00 $105.00 Infants Group $105.00 $175.00 $123.75 $90.00 (6wks - 1 Homes yr) Family $125.00 $140.00 $100.00 $80.00 Informal $120.00 $125.00 $100.00 $77.50 Centers $154.00 $189.20 $122.00 $101.00 Toddlers Group $100.00 $175.00 $103.75 $85.00 (13-25 Homes months) Family $125.00 $140.00 $100.00 $85.00 Informal $100.00 $117.50 $80.00 $75.00 Pre- Centers $143.75 $177.25 $115.00 $100.00 school Group $100.00 $175.00 $100.00 $85.00 (3 year Homes olds) Family $115.00 $130.00 $100.00 $85.00 Informal $95.00 $100.00 $78.75 $75.00 Pre- Centers $138.50 $168.50 $113.00 $100.00 school Group $100.00 $175.00 $100.00 $85.00 (4-5 year Homes olds) Family $110.00 $125.00 $100.00 $85.00 Informal $95.00 $100.00 $80.00 $69.25 Lottery- Centers $90.00 $98.00 $85.00 $85.00

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Age of Provider State- Cherokee Dawson Banks Fannin Children Type wide Cobb Hart Franklin Gilmer Douglas Lumpkin Habersham Forsyth Pickens Rabun Gwinnett Stephens Towns Hall Union White Funded Group $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $85.00 Pre-K (4 Homes year olds) Source: http://www.files.georgia.gov/DHR-DFCS/DHR-DFCS%20CAPS/Files/MarketRateSurveyReport_2011.pdf Accessed July 2, 2013

For a low income family who does not qualify for subsidized child care these costs are prohibitive.

Services for Children with Disabilities The Ninth District Opportunity Head Start service area has a variety of services available for children and adults with disabilities. The public schools provide assessments diagnosis and follow-up treatment in accordance with provisions and requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Preschool children in the Ninth District Opportunity Head Start area can receive services under these provisions although level of service varies from county to county. The highest priority for the schools is to serve those children with the most severe disabilities.

Ninth District Opportunity Head Start provides comprehensive child development services to children with disabilities as mandated by the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Services include screening diagnosis Individual Education Plan (IEP) development follow up therapy and related family services and transition to the public schools.

Statistical information regarding the incidence of disabilities in the child population indicates that approximately two percent of children have obvious disabilities that are identifiable at birth. An additional ten percent are at risk of being identified with disabling conditions during the school years.

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Table 35: NDO Head Start Children with Disabilities Number Served Source: Ninth District Opportunity Type of Disability 2011-12 reported data 5/2013 HS HS HS Autism 8 5 9 There are approximately 11,246 children who are Emotional Disturbance 1 5 3 both age and income Hearing 2 4 3 eligible for preschool Head Learning Disabilities (SDD) 0 0 0 Start. If between ten and Mental Retardation 0 0 0 twelve per cent of this population have or are at Health/Developmental 230 243 253 risk for having identified Physical 2 4 1 disabilities then there Speech/Language 144 186 152 could be between 1125 Traumatic Brain Injury 1 0 0 and 1350 preschool children with disabilities Vision 1 6 4 who are Head Start Multiple Disability 2 4 0 eligible in the twenty Total 390 457 434 county Ninth District Opportunities service area.

Ninth District Head Start works closely with the school systems in the twenty counties to secure services for pre-school age children. The local education agencies (LEAs) assess the children and take the lead in developing the IEPs. The Response to Intervention (RTI) process for serving children at risk is mandated by the state of Georgia but implemented at the local level. Therefore each LEA has different procedures and timelines.

In Georgia Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) is the statewide interagency service delivery system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. BCW is established by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that guarantees all eligible children regardless of their disability access to services that will enhance their development. The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health is the lead agency administering the Babies Can’t Wait Program in Georgia. Agencies and individuals from both public and private sectors provide services to these infants toddlers and their families.

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5

Community Strengths and Needs as Reported by Members of the Low Income Community

Ninth District Opportunity collected information from a variety of sources to determine the strengths and needs of the low income families served. Staff conducted strengths and needs surveys as part of the family partnership agreement process and as part of the CSBG intake process. Information was gathered from clients to identify the needs that were perceived to be the most pressing in target neighborhoods and within immediate families. In addition the Head Start center staff and Community Services staff were polled to ascertain what they perceived to be the strengths of the families served and the most pressing needs in the counties.

Community Strengths

Across the full twenty-county Ninth District Opportunity service area the top four community strengths are:

. Strong motivation to have a better life for themselves and their children . Willingness to work with the system to access community resources . Ability to “make do” with very little . Strong ties to the communities they live in

In Banks County parents are concerned about their children’s education and follow up school and center activities at home. There is a lot of support from families and friends. Families are motivated and persistent.

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In Cherokee County there are many close knit families. More parents are interested in participating in center activities: volunteering policy and center committees. The Latino families want to understand more about how the school system works.

Cobb County families have strong networks of extended families and friends. Parents are strong supporters of their children’s education.

Reliance on and support from extended families are strengths for families in Dawson County. In addition families have the ability to survive on few resources; the ability to build from the bottom up and have knowledge of local resources that are available..

Douglas County families have strong family support systems. They also value their child’s education and have knowledge of the few community resources available to them.

Strong family support systems especially relying on grandparents are a defining family strength in Fannin County. Families rely on faith-based resources and are concerned about their children’s education.

Forsyth County families/clients have a strong desire to work and willing to ask for assistance. They are committed to have their children receive an education. Families are close knit and assist each other in meeting both crisis and ongoing needs.

Franklin County families desire to work and support their families. Many clients want to attend technical schools or job training programs to improve their employability. Families have a strong desire to see their children excel in school and be involved in school activities.

In Gilmer County there are more two-parent families and strong extended families all supporting the importance of education. Families are able to utilize the available resources in the community. Non-English speaking families have been in the community for some time: older siblings are able to interpret and assist non-English literate parents.

Gwinnett County’s foreign-born families find support with others from their communities both family and friends. Families are supportive of their children’s education and want their children to succeed. Families are resourceful.

In Habersham County families have strong survival skills and many are self-reliant and want to be self-sufficient They have a strong desire for their children to do well. Many have extended family support networks. Many have skills and education that they use.

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Hall County families have strong family and community ties and are involved with their children’s activities. They have knowledge of how to work with the social services system and are supportive and respectful of the education system: They don’t want to remain low-income and have a willingness to work.

In Hart County families know how to tap into local resources; they want their children to have a good education and be successful. Many are learning to budget and survive on assistance and very limited funds

Families in Lumpkin County know the network of services in the county and many are volunteering within the community. They want better futures for their children and want to better themselves because they know that will result in a better life for their children.

Pickens County families strongly support their community. Families know of and use the resources available. They have a strong respect for education, both their own education and their children’s.

Head Start families and CSBG clients in Rabun County have strong ties to their families and the community. They have a willingness to work with community resources to access services for themselves and their families. The values of resilience and determination dominate.

In Stephens County families are willing to use resources to meet their individual and family needs. They have close family ties, get motivation from their families, have a strong willingness to succeed and value education.

Towns County families rely on family support and exhibit strong family bonds. They are able to cope with their situation. Many are able to find resources within their family and church.

In Union County families “make do” with what they have without relying on others outside of family and immediate community. Families want education for themselves and their children.

Families in White County like many of the NDO families have strong extended family support exhibit a strong faith and are involved in community and churches, They value education for themselves and their children and have knowledge of the available community resources.

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Community/Family Change

Despite the downturn in the economy north Georgia continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Georgia and the Atlanta area continues to be one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.

New roads have been built communities are less isolated and workers travel further for employment. The population has become more diverse. There are more medical and dental services available for those who can pay. The chasm between upper income and lower income is more apparent.

The economic down turn has hit the construction and leisure (including restaurants) sectors of the workforce the hardest in the NDO area. Many who have never been eligible for NDO’s programs are now receiving services for the first time. Ninth District Opportunities staff has noted that these new clients and families are better educated highly stressed because of their situation and willing to ask for assistance for the sake of their families.

Community change has both a positive and a negative aspect. The increase in population has increased the retail and restaurant business throughout the area creating more jobs overall. However many of the jobs are low paying often involving evening and weekend hours which are difficult for parents with children and employer-paid benefits are rare. The increase in unemployment has allowed employers to be more selective in whom they hire and less tolerant of employees who miss work or have needs for special hours.

The increase in population has meant more housing but most of the housing is priced out of the reach of low- and even many middle-income individuals. The increase in foreclosures has left many homes vacant but has not reduced the rental costs in the area. With the more stringent lending requirements many families are renting for longer because they do not qualify for mortgages putting more strain on the rental market.

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County Family/Client Change Community Change

Banks  Middle-class becoming low  More joblessness income  Fewer community-based  More families on SNAP, resources and other assistance  DFACS office closed: families programs have to travel further for  Families moving in direct services together to reduce costs Cherokee  More Spanish-speaking  More positive community families outreach activities  Younger parents  Hispanic families: more are  Higher levels of stress in school Cobb  Decrease on job  High foreclosure rate availability  Loss of public housing  Increase in non-English  Increased unemployment speaking population  Fewer resources due to  Families more transient budget cuts  Increased need for ESL and job training

Dawson  More homelessness being  More diversity identified and served  Higher percentage of  Less job opportunities population being served by  More families on community agencies assistance  Families living with families  Less affordable rental  More community partner properties collaboration Douglas  Decrease in number of  Reduction in funds for social Spanish-speaking families services agencies  The number of children  Less public housing with special needs has  Increase in unemployment increased  More homeless families  More families on SNAP  High cost of gas effects families’ ability to access services

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County Family/Client Change Community Change

Fannin  More clients/families going  More food pantries, back to school homeless shelters, thrift  Prescription drug addiction shops increasing  No public transportation  High gas prices  High cost of health care  Good new nutrition programs

Forsyth  More families going into  Retail growth foreclosure—losing long-term  Some economic rebound with jobs new housing being built  Lack of affordable rentals  Education availability-  Families moving into area accessibility has improved with no resources in hopes of  Transportation has improved finding jobs some  More availability of services for the elderly Franklin  More unemployed-  Job lay-offs and business underemployed for the first closings time asking for assistance  No new housing  More families facing  Need for affordable rental foreclosure housing  More women looking for  DFACs closed their offices work for the first time  Influx then exodus of Hispanic population Gilmer  Increase in number of  Number of Hispanic families children with special needs has decreased  More parents are employed  Lack of industry  More fathers involved in school: could be because they are not working and mom is

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County Family/Client Change Community Change

Gwinnett  Extended families raising  Fewer jobs; more businesses children closing  Legalization laws have had  Community resources are their effect: many families running out of funds due to with absent members due high need to work out-of-state or  Increased crime rates deportation

Habersham  # of middle income families  Loss of employment or is shrinking and the # of working but for lower wages low income families is  Lack of availability of growing affordable rental housing  Increased use of  Decrease in availability of community resource public assistance programs agencies  More food pantries  Increase in number of  Inter-agency partnerships multi-generational have increased households  DFACs office closed Hall  More unemployment;  Public funding cutbacks clients out of work for affecting services longer periods of time  Area partnerships cannot  Reduction in number of keep up with the needs of the Hispanic family applicants community  Increase in homelessness  Medical needs not affordable  Serving clients/families that or obtainable for uninsured have never been on assistance before

Hart  More former middle–class  Major industrial plant has clients closed  More multi-family  Local hospital closed households  Lack of affordable housing  More families without  Lack of available assistance medical insurance for families

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County Family/Client Change Community Change

Lumpkin  Clients have gone from  Companies that previously middle class to low income employed the majority of the due to job loss population are now closed  More grandparents raising and the workers displaced children due to absentee  More community collaboration parents to maximize use of shrinking  More parents and children resources with disabilities  Increase in drug and alcohol  Family income has gone abuse and crime down due to lack of public assistance programs

Pickens  Nutritional needs are being  Lack of public transportation met with increase in food  More families in need of pantries assistance  Reduction in Hispanic families  High cost of gas results in transportation problems  Rabun  More working poor  Lack of affordable housing  More families facing  Less Hispanic families foreclosures  Less jobs available  Families using more  Transportation issues community resources  More multigenerational households Stephens  Serving more families who  Loss of industry: loss of good have never asked for or paying jobs been eligible for services  Increased price of gas and  Increase in illegal drug use less reliable means of resulting in family members transportation limit parents’ or parents in jail grand- ability to travel for parents raising children employment  More families applying for  More dependence on SSI/SSDA as an income agencies/churches for source services

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County Family/Client Change Community Change

Towns  Family structure has  Less employment changed: more single opportunities parents, grandparents in  More adults going to school role of parents, single  Younger girls having babies fathers, younger parents  More drug use  Middle income now low  More families with no income transportation  More adults with no  Families moving in from other insurance coverage areas: more diversity  More than one family in a household

Union  Increased number of  More retail and commercial working families eligible for development and less services industrial development  More families with “crisis”  Significant increase the cost needs of land and housing  Younger single parents  Better communication/  Grandparents raising cooperation between service children providers but fewer services  Families do not have are available reliable transportation

White  More unemployment  Increase in foreclosures  Fewer families have  Lack of affordable housing insurance  More diversity  Little prescription coverage  Crime rate is up; illegal drugs  More families receiving assistance  Families doubled up

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Family and Community Needs as Identified by the Community

Despite the significant differences in the communities where the Ninth District Opportunity families and clients live their needs are very similar. Across all of the counties three needs prevail:

1) the need for jobs that pay well are close to home and have benefits; 2) the need for safe affordable housing 3) the need for reliable transportation and/or access to public transportation; and

Additionally for non-English speaking individuals access to community services that employ staff who speak their language is an ongoing need as the Ninth District Opportunity area becomes more language diverse. The change in Georgia’s immigration laws has resulted in families having to make difficult choices when the children are American-born but the parents are illegal immigrants.

The change in the rural northern counties from farming and industry to leisure and retirement areas has impacted the original population in that housing and land costs have dramatically increased. Homes that have been built are “high end” gated communities tare out of the financial reach of most of the local population. Land value has risen pushing property taxes up for those who cannot afford increases specifically those on fixed incomes, young families and low income individuals and families. The down-turn in the economy has resulted in a less building and more foreclosures but the “vacation-leisure” Communities still dominate the economy.

From the broader community perspective there is concern about the increase in illegal drug usage and production. No longer just an urban problem methamphetamine production in the rural counties has reached significantly into the lives of many: Violence has increased family structure has changed and law enforcement resources have been stretched to a point that other community issues have to take a back seat to this pervasive problem.

County Family/Client Needs Community Needs

Banks  Employment  Affordable safe housing

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County Family/Client Needs Community Needs

 Affordable housing  Employment opportunities  Adult Education  Public transportation  Cherokee  Employment  Better roads  Financial assistance to  Local public transportation meet basic needs  Centralized access to services  English language skills  Cobb  Medical insurance for  Affordable housing adults  Affordable health care for  ESL Classes adults (dental and prescription  Legal services coverage)

Dawson  Employment  Public transportation  Affordable housing  Job availability  Reliable transportation  Shortage of resources due to cuts in funding

Douglas  Employment  Affordable housing in safe  Higher education neighborhoods  Housing  Employment opportunities  Available community resources

Fannin  Transportation  Good paying jobs with benefits  Employment  Affordable housing  Affordable housing  High cost of food/fuel  Forsyth  Adult education ESL classes  Affordable housing  Financial assistance to  Childcare meet basic needs  Providers who take  Immigration issues Medicaid/Peach Care

Franklin  Education : GEDs skills  Transportation training higher education  More jobs for people in the  Transportation county that pay well and have  Employment benefits  Affordable housing

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County Family/Client Needs Community Needs

Gilmer  Financial assistance to  Adequate affordable housing meet basic needs  Food resources  Employment  Jobs with enough pay and/or  ESL classes benefits

Gwinnett  More employment  Jobs  More education resources:  More resources with clear ESL GED guidelines that can meet the  Dependable transportation needs of families who fall  Family health insurance between the cracks  Public transportation in a broader area

Habersham  Reliable affordable  Jobs transportation  Transportation  Financial assistance for  Health Care basic needs  Affordable housing

Hall  Education: ESL GED  Public transportation  Transportation  Access to affordable/consistent  Medical insurance medical services  Dental insurance and care  Higher paying jobs with benefits

Hart  Employment  Public transportation  Education  Lack of resources  Housing  Jobs  Health care Lumpkin  Employment  Employment opportunities  Food assistance  Funding for community  Financial assistance resources  Parenting education

Pickens  Adult education and job  More resources skills  More pediatricians that take  Transportation Medicaid

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County Family/Client Needs Community Needs

 Affordable housing  More employment opportunities

Rabun  Employment  Employment opportunities  Medical insurance for  Health care family members  Transportation  Education: GED & ESL

Stephens  Utility assistance  Affordable housing  Health insurance for  Employment opportunities families  Illegal drug issues  Employment

Towns  Employment  Employment for local families  Affordable child care  Transportation  Transportation  Low income housing  Affordable health care and/or insurance for adults

Union  Employment  Employment  Adult education  Public transportation  Affordable child care  Affordable quality housing

White  Affordable child care  Lack of industry/jobs  Employment  Need a hospital  Transportation  Medical and dental services for the uninsured

In the broader Ninth District Opportunity service area the four most significant community challenges are:

1. The lack of stable or local employment is putting strain on many families. The high unemployment rate has created a “buyers market” for those businesses that are hiring. Employers are paying less demanding more education and experience and have become less tolerant of employees who need accommodations to go to appointments or have issues with their children or with child care. Industries are currently downsizing because jobs are going overseas and demand is down. The

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slowdown in the housing construction industry due to the slowdown in the economy and the increased commuting time due to increased traffic in the area have put pressure on families many of whom are relatively new to the workforce. 2. The lack of affordable safe low cost housing. As more and more of the Ninth District Opportunity counties become retirement and leisure communities the cost of housing is skyrocketing. The increase in credit requirements has prevented many low/middle income families from buying homes so they stay in the rental market thus creating a greater demand for rentals. Despite the large number of homes that are empty or in foreclosure affordable rent is hard to find. New zoning and land use regulations have prevented the expansion of low cost housing in many communities. 3. The lack of available accessible health care services for the entire family. Despite Peach Care and Medicaid coverage there is a serious lack of doctors and dentists who participate in the programs. Health services for adults are a particular problem for NDO families. Emergency care health services are nonexistent in many of the rural northern counties. 4. Not enough money to meet families’ needs. Despite the increase in wages in the area including the increase in the minimum wage the increased cost of living has made it difficult for families to meet basic needs i.e. housing transportation utilities food and clothing. This is especially true when unbudgeted events occur e.g. illness that necessitates missing work car breakdowns unexpected health care costs.

The downturn in the economy which closed many business, the movement of textile and carpet plants out of the area and the slow-down in construction in the area has made formerly middle-class residents low income and eligible for assistance programs designed for low income clients. NDO programs are seeing applicants from individuals who have never applied for assistance before.

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6

Needs Goals and Conclusions

In reviewing data from federal state and local statistical sources; needs assessments conducted by other community agencies; and data collected by staff of the multiple programs that Ninth District Opportunity Inc. administers the following critical needs have been identified strategies posited and conclusions drawn.

Identified Needs and Strategies

Need: Programs that address the low-income population Despite the fact that the families in the Ninth District Opportunity Inc. service area are very self reliant and have a strong sense of community poverty has increased due to the lack of jobs. Many in formerly middle class families have lost jobs have become the “new poor” and are in need of assistance many for the first time. Strategies

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. should continue to provide services to the low income community.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. should explore the possibility of expanding services to reach more members of the low-income community.

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 Collaboration with other community organizations both public and private will ensure that the provision of services is comprehensive non-duplicated and community-based.

Need: Opportunities for employment The high number of Ninth District Opportunity Inc. clients who are working yet still eligible for programs that are targeted for the low income population points to the need for employment opportunities in jobs that pay well. Educational achievement data show that although education level has improved considerably in the past ten years there is still a need for skill-based education programs. The lack of stable or local employment is putting strain on many families. Seasonal employment connected with the tourist trade industries that are currently downsizing because of the downturn in the economy and the increased commuting time due to increased traffic in the area have all put pressure on families many of whom are relatively new to the workforce. Strategies

 By creating expanded linkages with other community development organizations Ninth District Opportunity Inc. will be able to provide training skills development and information and opportunities to the target community.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start will actively explore opportunities to expand the educational opportunities it currently provides in the twenty county area. Head Start’s family literacy activities Adult Basic Education ESL and GED preparation classes will be evaluated to see if they need to be revised and/or expanded to serve more clients.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. will continue to advocate in the community for more relevant job training opportunities.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start will maximize the use of existing job training programs and advocate for the new programs to be developed as part of the welfare reform movement.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. will continue to fulfill the mission of the economic development programs to hire from the community whenever possible and thereby provide employment opportunities impacting on the poverty in the community.

Need: Available accessible health care services for the entire family

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Despite Peach Care and Medicaid coverage there is a serious lack of doctors and dentists who participate in the programs. Lack of health services for adults is a particular problem for Head Start families. Emergency care health services are nonexistent in many of the rural northern counties. Strategies

 Ninth District Opportunity Head Start health services staff will make every effort to identify physicians and dentists who accept Medicaid and Peach Care in the Ninth District service area and make this information available to families.

 Ninth District Head Start staff will use the Head Start Health Advisory Committee to advocate for physicians and dentists to accept Peach Care and Medicaid.

 Ninth District will identify sources of health care that are low cost or no-cost in the communities (free clinics health fairs etc.) and publicize this information to the families served by Ninth District Opportunities Inc.

Need: Affordable safe low cost housing As more and more of the Ninth District Opportunity counties become retirement and leisure communities the cost of housing is skyrocketing. New zoning and land use regulations have prevented the expansion of low cost housing in many communities. Strategies

 Ninth District Opportunity will advocate for the inclusion of affordable safe low income housing in development plans throughout the service area by attending planning and zoning meetings to speak on behalf of the low income community.

 Ninth District Opportunity will explore linkages and partnerships with other organizations that address housing needs of low income families.

 Ninth District will investigate becoming a sponsoring organization for a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in areas where Habitat has not built homes.

Need: More bi-lingual staff in the schools and community agencies to address the needs of the non-English speaking population The difficulty in communication for those families who do not have adequate English language skills to make their needs known often necessitates that the family bring a friend

Community Assessment Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. May 2013 Page 103 another family member or a paid translator to the community agency or school to provide language assistance. The communication becomes stilted and since the translators are not professional interpreters this arrangement can often lead to more misunderstandings. In addition forms applications permissions etc. are frequently not translated into Spanish. Strategies

 Ninth District will continue to recruit and hire staff that are bi-lingual (Spanish- English) into all of its programs and will translate forms program information and all critical program service documents into Spanish for distribution to Spanish-speaking clients.

 Ninth District staff will attempt to identify individuals in every county who can act as volunteer translators to accompany Spanish-speaking clients to community services.

 As a leading advocate for families in its twenty county service area NDO will work with community partners to assure that services are being delivered in a fair and equitable manner to all of the low income population including those without English-language proficiency.

Need: Affordable high quality child care Although there seems not to be a strong need for child care slots across all areas in the twenty NDO counties generally as more members of extended families enter the work place there will be a need for low cost child care and child care placements available in the low income communities especially infant and toddler care. Strategies

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start will continue to offer Head Start services using the center-based model.

 Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start will continue to expand child care delivery services annually assessing the need for extended day and year round services.

 Ninth District will expand Early Head Start Services to those counties most in need of high quality infant and toddler care services.

 Staff of Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start will continue to demonstrate commitment to and advocate for high quality childcare by participating in professional events and organizations.

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Conclusions The national political climate and more locally the welfare reform movement in Georgia is impacting the funding and focus of programs that Ninth District Opportunity Inc. has delivered in the community. Cuts in social programs state budget reduction strategies and welfare reform will impact directly the population Ninth District Opportunity Inc. serves. These changes will require Ninth District Opportunity Inc. to review and analyze its systems for delivering services.

Like many in the human service sector Ninth District Opportunity Inc. will be faced with declining resources and expanding needs. Only by continuous improvement of agency services and coordination of efforts with other service providers in the area to identify its market niche will Ninth District Opportunity Inc. be able to provide high quality services to its target population. In turn Ninth District Opportunity Inc. must encourage other service providers to also identify their niches to ensure that duplication of services does not occur and that scarce resources are most efficiently allocated.

Partnership opportunities with others in the service area exist in the following areas:

 support of and from local business and industry to identify labor requirements and provide job readiness and training to develop an employable work force;

 collaboration with health and social services agencies to provide adequate available and accessible health care services for the entire family;

 cooperation with secondary vocational and post secondary education institutions to continue support for drop out prevention and educational readiness for workforce entry members of the low income community; and

 collaboration with area community agencies to develop capacity to serve the expanding Hispanic population.

Ninth District Opportunity Inc. must also assess its own programs. The organization must:

 review the allocation of Head Start slots among the target communities;

 refocus program priorities to address the needs identified through this assessment;

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 direct job readiness and training resources and appropriate agency job opportunities toward the target populations of the four counties;

 support its clients in community personal economic and leadership development;

 assess the feasibility of expanding and extending Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Head Start child care services especially Early Head Start services; and

 maintain an agency workforce of qualified individuals committed to service and advocacy for the ever changing low income community.

Ninth District Opportunity Inc. faces opportunities and challenges in its mission to improve the lives of low-income individuals in the twenty counties of northern Georgia. Existing successful community partnerships form a solid foundation for expanded networking and collaboration. However the economic stagnation in some of the area uneven distribution of resources underemployment and unemployment and the continuing changes in the population characteristics underscore the importance of effective social programs. Careful attention to program design staff development and resource allocation based on the findings of this community needs assessment will ensure that the programs and services of Ninth District Opportunity Inc. thoughtfully and systematically address the needs of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

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