Input sought for community needs survey

Those who want a say in the type of community they want to live in are encouraged to take the online 2019-21 Community Needs Survey presented by Yellowstone Country Assistance Network (YCAN).

Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meri Ann Rush explained the survey provides input as to what YCAN, which is taking care of a lot of the services formerly provided NOWCAP, can do for the community. Responses are used by YCAN in making decisions in how to allocate Community Services Block Grant funding, so the more people who fill the survey, the better picture YCAN has about what we need. Counties assisted by YCAN include Hot Springs, Big Horn, Park and Washakie, and the top five needs from this survey determine funding allocations for the next three years.

Rush also noted, beyond the YCAN-provided grant the information garnered from the survey can be used by local organizations.

The survey itself is less than 15 questions, and beyond providing some basic demographic there are questions about what community strategies you would like to see, how you think grant funding should be spent, your opinion of the employment rate, and the need for and use of services in the community.

The survey is available online at surveymonkey.com/r/HKCCFD9, and more information about YCAN is available at ycanwyoming,com