Community
Assessment
2016-2017
Table of Contents
Introduction______1
Snapshot of Warren County Head Start, Inc.
Purpose and Methodology of the Community Assessment
Overview of Warren County______2-9
Geography
Center Locations/Enrollment
Social Demographics
Population
Ethnicity/Race
Median Income
Percent of the Population Below Poverty
Level of Education
Unemployment
Housing
School Enrollment (UPK-12)
Disabilities
Child Care
Estimate of Potentially Eligible Children______10
Social Demographics of Warren County Head Start, Inc Families____10-15
Ethnicity/Race
Level of Education
Employment
Housing
Health
Public Assistance
Disabilities
Mental Health
Parent Survey______16
Community Resources______17-20
I. Introduction
A. Snapshot of Warren County Head Start, Inc.
Warren County Head Start, Inc. is a federally funded program for pregnant women, children ages birth through 5 years of age and their families. Warren County Head Start, Inc. started serving Head Start families in 1965, the inaugural year of the federal program. In January of 2010 we began to serve Early Head Start families. Families who enroll in either Early Head Start or Head Start receive services in the areas of education, health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and family services. Eligibility is based upon poverty guidelines put forth by the federal government.
Warren County Head Start’s mission is to provide quality educational and social experiences for the children and families in the program.
The program goals are as follows:
- To ensure that Head Start is an integral part of the community, developing and maintaining collaborations.
- To promote education, health and mental wellness in all aspects of life for Head Start families and staff.
- To promote services to children with disabilities in an inclusive setting.
- To build family awareness of community resources through information, advocacy and participation.
- To increase public awareness of Head Start and its many and varied activities and accomplishments.
- To increase Early Head Start center based programming.
B. Purpose and Methodology of the Community Assessment
The community assessment provides updated demographic data and relevant community information to identify the strengths, challenges and trends that impact on the design and implementation of the Warren County Head Start program. The information from this assessment will be used in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards to determine the program’s philosophy, set long- and short-term program goals, determine services and program options, determine areas for targeted recruitment, determine appropriate locations for classrooms, and set the selection criteria for children and families.
The primary sources of data used to collect the information included in this document are the most recent U.S. Census (2010), parent and staff surveys, Warren County Head
Start, Inc.’s Program Information Report (PIR), Department of Education school report cards, SACCN annual report, the NYS Department of Health perinatal statistics, Warren County Health Services annual report, and Glens Falls Hospital Community Service Plan.
II. Overview of Warren County
- Geography
Warren County lies in northeastern NYS approximately 50 miles north of Albany, NY and 100 miles south of Montreal, Canada. It is located 200 miles north of the NY Metropolitan area, at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains. Warren County is 35 miles long and 30 miles wide with a total of 940 square miles. The land is mountainous and contains several lakes and rivers. Seventy-five percent of the county’s acreage is wooded. Much of Warren County is within the boundaries of The Adirondack State Park.
B. Center Locations/Enrollment
Funded Head Start Enrollment
Center / Location / Funded Enrollment(232 three-five years of age)
ACC Child Care Center / SUNY Adirondack / 1 classroom/18 children
Chestertown / North Warren School District / 1 classroom/17 children
Glens Falls / Glens Falls / 6 classrooms/103 children
Home Based / Warren County / 24 children
Lake Luzerne / Hadley-Luzerne School District / 1 classroom/18 children
Queensbury / Queensbury School District / 2 classroom/34 children
Warrensburg / Warrensburg School District / 1 classroom/18 children
Funded Early Head Start Enrollment
Center / Location / Funded Enrollment(50 birth to three years of age)
ACC Child Care Center / SUNY Adirondack / 3 classrooms/24 children
Home Based / Warren County / 26 children
C. Social Demographics
i. Population
Warren County has a total population of 64,688. Industrial, commercial and cultural activities center around the City of Glens Falls and the surrounding Town of Queensbury. Almostsixty-fivepercentof the county’s total population resides in these 2 communities. The remaining population of Warren County is scattered among the towns of Bolton, Chester, Hague, Horicon, Johnsburg, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Stony Creek, Thurman and Warrensburg.
ii. Ethnicity/Race
Hispanic or Latino / Non – Hispanic or Latino1,488 / 63,200
African
American / American
Indian / Asian / Multi
Racial / White
841 / 194 / 518 / 970 / 62,165
Warren County’s population is 97.7% non-hispanic or latino. Ninety-six percent of the population in Warren County is white. The remaining 4% are African American, American Indian, Asian, or Multi-Racial.
iii. Median Income
The median income in Warren County is $56,601. The graph above represents the median income in the county subdivisions. Since the 2010 US Census was published, the median income in each of the county subdivisions has increased. The smallest increase in income was in the town of Warrensburg, which increased only $7,000 over the past decade. The largest increase in income was in the town of Hague, which increased $24,000 over the past decade. This differential is representative of Hague’s small population.
iv. Percent of the population below Poverty
Bolton / 5%Chester / 14.4%
Glens Falls / 13.6%
Hague / 13.2%
Horicon / 4.1%
Johnsburg / 12.2%
Lake George / 7.4%
Lake Luzerne / 6.3%
Queensbury / 10.2%
Stony Creek / 12.3%
Thurman / 10.2%
Warrensburg / 15.7%
Warren County’s population living below poverty has decreased by 1.5% over the past decade. The largest portion of the population living below poverty reside in the Warrensburg and Glens Falls county subdivisions. Out of 15 classrooms, Warren County Head Start, Inc. operates 7 classrooms in these two areas. The Queensbury subdivision’s portion of the population living below poverty has increased by almost 3%. Warren County Head Start, Inc. has added a classroom in this area and now operates 6 classrooms in Queensbury. The remaining 2 classrooms operate in Chestertown (which has the fourth highest rate of people living below poverty) and Lake Luzerne.
While the third largest population living below poverty resides in the Johnsburg area, Warren County Head Start, Inc. has decided to not operate a classroom in this subdivision because of two reasons; the percent of the population living below poverty has actually decreased in this area by 14% and Johnsburg Central School has also incorporated an independently run pre-k classroom.
Warren County Head Start, Inc.’s home based option serves families in all county subdivisions assuring that all families living below poverty have access to our services.
v. Level of Education
Ninety percent of Warren County’s population has at least a high school or equivalency diploma. Of those that have attained a high school diploma, 45% have gone on to receive either an associates, bachelors or graduate degree.
vi. Unemployment
The chart above illustrates the unemployment rates per county subdivision comparing the 2000 and 2010 US Census information. As shown, the rates have increased in every location, which is reflective of the United States current economy.
vii. Housing
Housing Units / Owner Occupied / RenterOccupied / Seasonal
Vacant / Vacant
Bolton / 2,580 / 33% / 8% / 52% / 7%
Chester / 2,717 / 45% / 9% / 42% / 4%
Glens Falls / 7,109 / 46% / 46% / 1% / 7%
Hague / 1,126 / 27% / 3% / 66% / 4%
Horicon / 1,926 / 28% / 5% / 65% / 2%
Johnsburg / 1,842 / 41% / 13% / 38% / 8%
Lake George / 2,745 / 38% / 18% / 37% / 7%
Lake Luzerne / 2,126 / 51% / 13% / 31% / 5%
Queensbury / 12,999 / 65% / 23% / 8% / 4%
Stony Creek / 585 / 46% / 11% / 35% / 8%
Thurman / 711 / 62% / 8% / 25% / 5%
Warrensburg / 2,260 / 54% / 23% / 16% / 7%
Warren County / 38,726 / 50% / 22% / 22% / 6%
With the geographical location of Warren County being in Adirondack State Park, tourism has a great impact on housing. In the winter many people come to the mountains to enjoy the ski resorts and in the summer the area is a hot spot for tourists. Lake George is a popular vacation venue. Indicative of this is that twenty-two percent of all housing units are seasonal in the area. Some county subdivisions such as Hague and Horicon consist of over 60% of their housing being seasonal. As discussed previously, most of the population lives in the Glens Falls and Queensbury subdivisions, which is why those areas have a low percent of seasonal housing (under 10%).
viii. School Enrollment (K-12)
ENROLLMENT / 2015-2016 / 2016-2017Bolton / 172 / 190
North Warren / 516 / 531
Glens Falls / 1,984 / 2,050
Glens Falls Common / 171 / 171
Johnsburg / 320 / 339
Lake George / 806 / 805
Hadley-Luzerne / 741 / 764
Queensbury / 3,341 / 3,341
Warrensburg / 736 / 763
District / UPK/Pre-K Enrollment
Bolton / 19
North Warren / 16
Glens Falls / 69
Glens Falls Common / 0
Johnsburg / 20
Lake George / 0
Hadley-Luzerne / 25
Queensbury / 0
Warrensburg / 27
Of the school districts in Warren County, six offer Pre-Kindergarten programming. Johnsburg and North Warren utilize district funds to provide services. Bolton, Glens Falls, Hadley-Luzerne and Warrensburg utilize a blended funding formula including state allocated UPK funds and district funds to increase enrollment. These numbers were reported from .
ix. Disabilities
District / 2015-2016Bolton / 2
Chester / 9
Glens Falls / 48
Johnsburg / 2
Lake George / 12
Lake Luzerne / 12
Queensbury / 97
Warrensburg / 23
Abe Wing / 8
Warren County Health Services annual report stated that in 2015, 250 children were served through Early Intervention services. That same year 213 preschool age children received county services for disabilities. Specific classification of disabilities does not occur until children are school age.
x. Child Care
Age Groups ofChildren / # of
Children / # of Child Care Slots / Potential
Demand / Additional
Slots
Needed
Birth to 3 / 1,879 / 266 / 1,165 / 899
3-4 / 1,262 / 883 / 782 / 0(+101)
5-12 / 5,508 / 573 / 3,580 / 3,007
The charts above represent the child care supply and demand by age, as stated in the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network’s July 2016 Comprehensive Assessment. There is a significant need for infant/toddler care and school age care.
III. Estimate of Potentially Eligible Children
Children under5 years Old / Poverty Level / Est. Eligible Children
Bolton / 32 / 4% / 2
Chester / 117 / 8.1% / 16
Glens Falls / 661 / 11.4% / 89
Hague / 13 / 10.2% / 2
Horicon / 74 / 13.1% / 6
Johnsburg / 51 / 13.2% / 7
Lake George / 201 / 10.2% / 14
Lake Luzerne / 106 / 6.3% / 7
Queensbury / 1445 / 9.2% / 147
Stony Creek / 25 / 12.3% / 3
Warrensburg / 225 / 15.1% / 40
2,980 / 333
Warren County Head Start, Inc. is funded to serve 282 children and families which is supported by the estimate of potentially eligible children shown above. All of our centers are in locations where there is a significant amount of children as related to the number of classrooms being operated in an area.
IV. Social Demographics of Warren County Head Start, Inc. Families
A. Ethnicity/Race
Hispanic or Latino / Non – Hispanic or Latino3% / 97%
African
American / American
Indian / Asian / Multi
Racial / Other / Pacific
Islander / White
2% / 0 / 1% / 12% / 0 / 0 / 85%
Warren County Head Start, Inc.’s families are 97% non-hispanic or latino. Eighty-five percent of the families are white. Twelve percent are multi-racial while the remaining 3% are African American or Asian.
B. Level of Education
The graph above represents the highest level of education attained per household.
C. Employment
The graph above represents employment and job/training of Head Start and Early Head Start families. The majority of those that are in school working towards an advanced degree attend our child care center at SUNY Adirondack.
D. Housing
OWN / RENT / HOMELESS / Living with OthersACC / 7 / 42 / 0 / 4
Chestertown / 6 / 8 / 1 / 6
Glens Falls / 15 / 88 / 3 / 6
Home Based / 5 / 32 / 3 / 7
Lake Luzerne / 5 / 9 / 1 / 5
Queensbury / 7 / 29 / 1 / 7
Warrensburg / 4 / 11 / 1 / 3
49 / 219 / 10 / 37
The majority of families that attend Warren County Head Start, Inc. rent. The three main subsidized low income housing complexes are Village Green (newly renovated), Montcalm (newly renovated), and Maple Wood Apartments. All three have waiting lists to receive housing.
Six of our Head Start families that were homeless during the year obtained stable housing. One of our Home Based families was served through the Wait House homeless youth shelter. Home Based Visitors conducted their home visits at the shelter with the family.
E. Health
HEALTH INSURANCE
Type of Insurance / At Enrollment / End of School YearMedicaid / 276 / 287
Private / 36 / 40
None / 24 / 9*
Warren County Head Start has a great collaboration with facilitated enrollment specialists throughout Warren County. As a result of these collaborations 30 children obtained insurance.
*Children whom left the program before insurance information could be obtained.
HEALTH STATUS
The graphs above represent Early Head Start/Head Start children’s health status. A child is considered up-to-date when all the requirement of the NYS EPSDT schedule has been satisfied. The NYS EPSDT schedule is a schedule of best practice recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Children enrolled in Medicaid must receive a physical in accordance with the NYS EPSDT schedule per Medicaid law.
Warren County Head Start assisted several children in completing their health status. Increasing the number of Early Head Start children up-to-date status by 34% and Head Start children by 54%.
HEARING & VISION
Each child enrolled in Early Head Start/Head Start must have a hearing and vision screening within 45 days of enrollment. As a result, twenty-six children received glasses and twelve children are receiving treatment for hearing concerns.
Screening / Treatment Received*Hearing / 16
Vision / 26
*Treatment received includes but is not limited to glasses, hearing aids, ENT referrals, etc…
Nutrition
Warren County Head Start, Inc. participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Guidelines for the CACFP program allow for healthy food options which assists Warren County Head Start in serving healthy child appropriate meals. Warren County Head Start served 51,989 healthy meals and 2,796 healthy snacks to the children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start.
We also participate with the Eat Well Play Hard program of New York. Physical activity is incorporated into the children’s daily routine. The Warrensburg Head Start center has been recognized as a Champion Center through the Eat Well Play Hard program. The I Am Moving, I Am Learning program as well as the Active Play initiative are utilized throughout the school day.
F. Public Assistance
# of Families / SNAP / SSI / TANF / WICReceiving Benefit / 178 / 35 / 14 / 201
All income eligible head start families qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC). Just above 60% of our families are taking advantage of these programs. If a family is regularly receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or is receiving Social Security Income (SSI), they are automatically eligible for Head Start.
G. Disabilities
At enrollment / End of School YearIFSP / 4 / 11
IEP / 34 / 55
21% of our children who were enrolled in the program had either an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). All disabilities have been classified as developmental delays.
H. Mental Health
Mental Health Professional Consulted with Head Start Program Staff / Mental Health Professional Consulted with Head Start Parents/Caregivers / Number of Children Referred by Program for Mental Health Services Outside of Head Start3 / 21 / 36
V. Parent Survey
Parent Surveys were provided to all families in May, with the option to complete on Survey Monkey or on paper. The following are the results from the 108 surveys that were returned:
Top 4 community concerns reported by families:
1. Sex Offenders in neighborhoods
2. Affordable Childcare
3. Child Abuse
4. Substance Abuse
Community Resources used most by families:
Emergency Crisis intervention (food, clothing and shelter)
Parenting Education
Mental Health Education
VI. Community Resources
The following represents resources in the community that are used to address the needs of Head Start eligible children and their families, including information regarding their accessibility.
AGENCY / SERVICES OFFERED / AccessibilityAdult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCESS-VR) / -Transition and youth services
-Vocational Rehabilitation
-Independent Living Services
-Business Services / -Apply for
Adirondack Health
Institute / - Supplemental medical coverage plan
- Health insurance facilitated enrollment / - Apply for
- Based on income
Adirondack Samaritan Counseling / -ASC is an outpatient mental health center staffed with fully licensed psychologists and clinical social workers. Provides counseling services for children, individuals, couples and families. Most insurance accepted. Discounted fee is available. / -By appointment
-Wait list
BOCES / -TASC Program- Adult basic education and high school equivalency diploma preparation / -Appointment needed
Baywood Center / -Substance abuse treatment / -By appointment
Caleo Counseling Services / - Counseling for children and families / - By appointment
Catholic Charities / - Emergency assistance (food, shelter, etc)
- Clothing
- Individual and family counseling / - Walk in
- By appointment
Center for Children
and Families / - Counseling for children
- Support services for families / - By appointment
Community Action
Agency / - Emergency assistance (food, clothing)
- Food pantry
- Weatherization / - Walk in for
assistance
- By appointment
Community Maternity Services / - Provides educational, social and counseling services for pregnant and parenting teens and their families. Medical referrals. No fee. / Call for appointment
Competitive Edge / - Providing Coordinated Services, programs, and employment for individuals with developmental disabilities and other challenges. / -Call for appointment