Community Service Gaps & Priorities Assessment

Welcome to the Community Service Needs Assessment. This survey asks about your experience with local services, the issues that matter most to you, and any barriers you have encountered. Your honest opinions will help inform local planning and resource decisions. • Participation is entirely voluntary. You may stop at any time. • There are no right or wrong answers — we want your genuine perspective. • Your responses are confidential and will only be reported in aggregate. • Estimated time: 8–10 minutes. Please read the consent question on the next screen to continue.

Which of the following community services have you personally used in the last 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Healthcare/clinics
• Mental health counseling
• Public transit
• Job training or employment services
• Childcare/early learning
• Housing assistance
• Parks/recreation programs
• Senior services
• Library or public internet
• Waste and recycling
• Public safety services (non-emergency)
• None of the above
• Other

Please rank the following local issues by priority for the next 12 months. Drag to reorder (1 = highest priority).

1. Affordable housing
2. Public safety (non-emergency)
3. Healthcare access
4. Mental health and substance use support
5. Jobs and skills training
6. Childcare/early learning
7. Public transit and mobility

How would you prefer to hear about local services and events? Select all that apply.

• Text/SMS
• Email newsletters
• Local social media groups
• Posters/flyers in community spaces
• Community organizations/faith groups
• City or county website
• Local newspaper/radio
• Word of mouth
• Other

We'd like to understand your experience with community services in more depth. Please share what has worked well or what could be improved, and our moderator will ask a few follow-up questions.

What is your ZIP or postal code?

Thank you for completing the survey. Your responses are confidential and will help inform local planning and resource allocation. If you have questions about this study, please contact [organization name and contact information].

Do you voluntarily agree to participate in this survey?

• I agree to participate
• I do not agree

Overall, how satisfied were you with the community services you used in the last 12 months?

How urgently do you feel local services need to change over the next 12 months?

In the last 12 months, how easy or difficult has it been to reach the right office or person when you needed help?

Based on your responses in this survey, is there anything else you would like to share about your community's needs or services?

What is your neighborhood or nearest cross-streets? (optional)

Which best describes your connection to this community?

• I live here
• I don't live here, but I work or study here
• I do not live, work, or study here

Thinking about the last 12 months, how easy or difficult was it overall to access the community services you needed?

About how long do you usually travel one-way to reach the community services you use most?

• Less than 10 minutes
• 10–19 minutes
• 20–29 minutes
• 30–44 minutes
• 45–59 minutes
• 60 minutes or more
• I don't travel to services (online/phone only)
• Not applicable

What is your age group?

• Under 18
• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65 or older
• Prefer not to say

Which barriers have you personally faced when trying to use community services in the last 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Not aware of what's available
• Hours don't fit my schedule
• Transportation challenges
• Cost or fees
• Eligibility rules/documentation
• Language barriers
• Internet or device access
• Childcare responsibilities
• Physical accessibility
• Concerns about privacy or stigma
• Waitlists or delays
• Staff responsiveness
• Quality concerns
• None of the above
• Other

How do you describe your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Some high school or less
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college/associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate or professional degree
• Prefer not to say

What is your current employment situation? Select all that apply.

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Unemployed and looking
• Student
• Retired
• Homemaker/caregiver
• Unable to work
• Prefer not to say

Including yourself, how many people live in your household?

• 1 (just me)
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7 or more
• Prefer not to say

How long have you lived in this community?

• Less than 6 months
• 6–12 months
• 1–3 years
• 3–5 years
• More than 5 years