MC-D - Community Learning Network - Cross-Site and Other Data

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CLN Researches Economic and Health Care Status in Communities

The Community Learning Network is coordinating several research efforts to measure the effectiveness of the Making Connections-Denver initiative and to gather information to work towards institutional change.

One major project is the Annie E. Casey Foundation cross-site survey conducted in all 10 Making Connections cities. In 2002 and 2005, surveys were conducted to measure progress on Making Connections core results, including family economic success and whether residents are engaged and connected. In Denver, a new heath care survey was conducted in 2007 by Metro Organizations for People (MOP). The Community Research Team of the CLN analyzed perceptions of MC-D. Below are highlights of these six research efforts:

Family Economic Status (Cross site data for Core Result I)
Many Families Lack Health Insurance (MOP survey 2007)
MC-D Perception Survey: Who Do They Think We Are?
Residents Engaged and Connected (Cross site Data for Core Result III)
Health Insurance Coverage in MC-D Communities (Cross site Data)
Children’s Health Status (Cross-site Data for Core Result VI)

Family Economic Status Survey for Core Result I:
Families have stable employment and sufficient income to meet basic needs

Peggy Cuciti, Ph.D., research director at The Centers for Public Opinion Research at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, analyzed the cross-site survey data regarding employment, assets such as homes and vehicles, and savings rates. The employment status of MC-D residents did not significantly change between 2002 and 2005. Highlights of the findings are:

The proportion of homes with a working adult was 64% in 2002 compared with 66% in 2005. Both of these figures are well below the citywide average on 78% in 2002.
Many jobs often pay too little to support a family. Among households with an employed adult, almost half report having a low income—one that is less than twice the federal poverty level.
Many of the jobs held by MC-D residents do not pay benefits, with little change between the two surveys. In 2002, 56% had jobs providing health insurance for the family, compared with 64% of jobs citywide.
The number of households with savings accounts did increase from over the three years, with 53% of households in 2005 having savings accounts compared to 47% in 2002. The biggest increase was in the Cole neighborhood, with a 13 point increase to 61%.

Click here for the full report. There are potential changes to the data in this report based on the receipt of subsequent data sets with new weights. For more information, please contact Evaluation Manager, Sue Tripathi at 720-891-4916.

Many Families Lack Health Insurance
A survey by Metro Organizations for People analyzed by the Community Research Team

In the fall of 2006, Metro Organizations for People (MOP) conducted a survey of 35 local organizations (including churches and school organizing committees) to find out the status of health insurance coverage and affordability for members. The Community Learning Network’s research team analyzed the survey data .
Results showed that of nearly 2,000 households:

41 percent of adults are uninsured.
39 percent of children are uninsured.
70 percent of households had at least one employed adult.
Cost of insurance coverage and prescriptions were the greatest concern expressed by respondents.

In November 2006, MOP used the analysis and results of this survey to address the healthcare issue in a public forum attended by public officials, local leaders and community members. These findings were also used in a national advocacy effort when Susan Molina, chair of the MOP board, addressed Congress in 2007.

Click here for the complete Analysis of 2006 Health Care Surveys.

Perception of MC-D: Who Do They Think We Are?

As Making Connections-Denver looks toward the future, we must build a strategy that strengthens our partnership and connections within the communities we serve. It became clear that MC-D has a picture of the people and communities we support, but what are their perceptions of us? The Community Learning Network conducted a survey in 2006 and discovered the following perceptions:

Identity & Purpose. The perception of MC-D’s identity varies from “an initiative” to more conceptual ideas such as “a way to connect people.” MC-D’s purpose is seen as centered around helping the community through programs that focus on education, jobs, housing and resident involvement.

The Present and Next Four Years. MC-D should focus resources on working with the Sun Valley, Cole, Baker, and La Alma/ Lincoln Park neighborhoods. MC-D should be more visible in terms of its services, programs, resources and community organizing. In turn, residents will be more empowered to participate in MC-D.

Beyond 2010. MC-D should implement services and programs with the needs of residents as a primary goal. In addition, as MC-D expands its work into the policy arena, it should seek to make impacts beyond its current neighborhood boundaries.

Click here for complete MC-D Perception Survey Findings.

Status of Resident Engagement Survey for Core Result III:
Residents are Engaged in Their Communities to Achieve Desired Results

Peggy Cuciti, Ph.D., research director at The Centers for Public Opinion Research at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center analyzed the cross-site survey data for connecting and engaging residents in their communities. Highlights are:

The greatest gain occurred among the percent of residents who believe they have the skills and experience to be leaders, moving from 48% in 2002 to 61% in 2005.
Increased community involvement was achieved, as measured by a rise in the volunteers helping with any community activity, moving from 28% in 2002 to 35% in 2005. This increase was highest among African Americans.
Resident involvement in community problem-solving has remained relatively constant over time. People who have lived in a neighborhood for a longer period of time are much more likely to report participation in community problem solving.
Groups with the greatest influence in the neighborhoods were police, churches and resident groups (1, 2 and 3 respectively).

Health Insurance Coverage in Making Connections-Denver Communities

The 2005 of the AECF Cross-site survey reveals that Denver’s low income children are twice as likely to lack health insurance as the national average. The survey provides good data about the number of children who have health insurance, but the information about adults is less reliable.

Nearly 82% of MC-D children have some type of health insurance plan, including Medicaid, leaving 18% without any coverage. Nationally, only 9% of children (or half as many) lacked health insurance.
Coverage is highest among children who live in households with incomes below the poverty level. Usually, people with these incomes would qualify for publicly funded insurance programs.
Immigrant households (71%) are less likely to have health insurance.

Determining how many adults have health insurance was more difficult because of the survey’s structure. Based on information provided, approximately 37% of adults may have health insurance provided by the respondent’s (or spouse’s) employment benefits. High rates of non-coverage are the result of rigid eligibility rules for public health insurance programs, as well as a low rate of coverage from employers.

Click here for the full report. There are potential changes to the data in this report based on the receipt of subsequent data sets with new weights. For more information, please contact Evaluation Manager, Sue Tripathi at 720-891-4916.

Children’s Health Status Survey for Core Result VI:
Children are Healthy and Prepared to Succeed in School

According to the 2005 survey, more than 75% of children in Making Connections-Denver neighborhoods have either very good or excellent health, slightly lower than the national average of 82%.

Children in MC-D neighborhoods are twice as likely as children nationally to be described as having only fair or poor health. Poverty status is associated with children’s health. Only four of 10 children living in poor families were in excellent health. Children in immigrant households were less likely to have excellent health, and Latino children were less likely than other ethnic groups to have excellent health.

Children in MC-D neighborhoods were most likely to receive their health care at clinics, with the highest rates in Cole and Sun Valley.

Click here for the full report. There are potential changes to the data in this report based on the receipt of subsequent data sets with new weights. For more information, please contact Evaluation Manager, Sue Tripathi at 720-891-4916.