Profile of Community-Wide Outcomes in Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: Center for Governmental Research Inc.

Author(s): Donald Pryor

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Community Profiles; Census Data Interpretation

Type: Report

Coverage: New York

Abstract:

The United Way of Northeastern New York, serving Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties, engaged CGR to conduct an area wide needs assessment to track how well the region and its individual counties were doing in addressing community needs. In 2001, CGR developed and produced the first baseline community-wide profile to objectively assess, on a periodic basis, changes over time in the region’s “well-being” across six broad focus areas and 25 specific issue areas.

These data were supplemented through interviews with selected community leaders and stakeholders on their perceptions of unmet community needs. The United Way subsequently used the profile to reallocate funding to meet community priorities. The community profile process also helped to develop collaboration among county government, other funders, providers, schools and faith-based communities to tackle cross-system service delivery issues.