For Immediate Release
(Chardon, Ohio) June 8, 2005
Contact: Kimm Leininger, 440.285.2261 ext. 222
Impact Project Seeks to Collect Geauga County Data from Local
Residents
In an effort to ensure that the health and human services system
in Geauga County is meeting the needs of Geauga residents, local
leaders have initiated a strategy called the Geauga County Community
Impact Project (GCCIP). It is the goal of the GCCIP to not only
gather information about the services needed in Geauga County,
but to also develop a vision and plan for the future that will
lead to specific actions and measurable results. The project is
being led by William Conway, chairman of the board of Fairmount
Minerals, LTD. “Geauga County is changing and we must determine
the health and human service needs of our community to ensure we
can address them effectively,” Conway said.
The GCCIP has already completed an inventory of key community
assets, which included surveying local associations, labor groups,
service providers, and businesses. The group has recently begun
collecting community data through a key informant survey and the
review of census and other available data. The final step in data
collection will begin next week with a household survey. Approximately
2,000 households will be randomly selected from throughout the
county to receive this survey. The random selection process also
ensures that each township and village will have proportionate
representation in this survey process. Once the data collection
process is completed, the group plans to develop a summary of findings
and hold a Citizens Convention in Spring 2005 to develop a vision
for Health and Human Services in Geauga County.
“We hope that every household that receives this survey
will understand the critical importance of their input and that
they will make it a priority to complete the survey and return
it within the specified timeframe,” said Kimm Leininger,
Executive Director of United Way Services of Geauga County and
Project Director of GCCIP. “Funding for health and human
service programs continues to decrease, at both a state and federal
level. This project is vital to the future planning and development
of a systematic approach to prioritizing and funding local programs
that are making a difference in the lives our neighbors and friends,” according
to Leininger.
The GCCIP is a collaborative initiative with The Cleveland Foundation’s
Lake-Geauga Fund, Geauga County Department on Aging, Geauga County
Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Geauga County Department
of Job and Family Services, Geauga Family First Council and United
Way Services of Geauga County.
For additional information, please contact Kimm Leininger at
440-285-2261.
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