United Way of Adams County announces implementation of Community Needs Plan

QUINCY — The United Way of Adams County, Blessing Health System and the Adams County Health Department completed a community needs assessment in late 2021. This assessment, along with a facilitated compression planning session, was used to develop a three-year community needs plan.

“This assessment is intended to inform a plan to address the concerns, needs and opportunities for the future of health and well-being of Adams County residents,” Maggie Strong of Strong Consulting said in a press release. “With quality data, both primary and secondary, we can clearly communicate our needs to potential funders and build programs that will address our unique concerns and opportunities.”

The plan clarifies the top three community needs and gives direction and strategies for addressing these needs, the goal in addressing each need, key strategies, anticipated impact, key players and potential community partners.

Top community needs are:

• Access to safe and livable housing
• Families living in poverty and
• Access to behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorder services.

The collaborating partners will focus on addressing the top needs as well as increasing communication, collaboration and accountability to foster systemic change. This plan leverages resources from the United Way of Adams County, Blessing Health System and the Adams County Health Department, as well as those from across the community. This plan is designed to inspire action and the investment of resources in addressing the community’s top needs.

Community leaders and stakeholders also identified critical foundational strategies to be addressed:

• Increase awareness of services and programs already available
• Increase collaboration among existing agencies and programs to better serve those in need (coordination of care)
• Examine and address root causes of the top needs of the community and
• Cultivate a culture of caring among all community members.

“This community plan is a critical part of our work within the community,” said Jeremy Wingerter,
United Way of Adams County chief executive officer. “It provides a roadmap to strategically address
and provide solutions to the issues affecting Adams County.”

The Community Building Council, with support from the United Way of Adams County, will monitor the implementation of the plan. Strategies and initiatives will be reviewed and updated annually. Three community-led teams focusing on each top priority are meeting to implement the plan.

Housing, poverty and behavioral health teams are co-chaired by representatives from Blessing Health System, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Transitions of Western Illinois, Workforce Office of Western Illinois and YWCA, with approximately 30 agencies participating on each team.

“I am hopeful the team can provide the general public with a better understanding of how to access and use existing services,” said Jessica Peters of Transitions, co-chair of the behavioral health team. “I am also hopeful the service agencies around the table gain a better understanding of what each provides so referrals can be made to better meet the needs of those we serve.”

“The assessment found that affordable, clean and safe housing is an important and emerging issue in Adams County,” said housing team co-chair Kyle Moore of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. “The housing team aims to bring together stakeholders, take an honest look at the challenges our residents face and work towards meaningful and measurable solutions that will ultimately lead to safer and more affordable housing for all.”

To learn more about the Community Needs Plan, email natalie@unitedwayofadamsco.org. Members of the community can view and download the 2021 Adams County Needs Assessment at www.unitedwayadamsco.org/communitydata, or they can pick up a physical copy at the United Way of Adams County office, 936 Broadway, Suite F.