10/06/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bigger problems, meet again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. Nonetheless, perennial systemic challenges persist. Stark gaps between wages paid in the most common professions in the county and the substantially increased cost of living here, especially health care, child care and housing costs, offset gains in many areas. As a result, much remains to be done to improve the quality of living for many residents. • Too many of the County's families cannot secure employ- ment that supplies them a living wage, or the ability to afford safe, quality housing. • Too many of the County's children are not prepared for kin- dergarten and do not finish high school. E -cigarette use, teen pregnancy, untreated mental illness and chronic absenteeism among teens are troubling contributing factors. • Too many of the County's residents lack affordable medical and dental care. • Too many of the County's residents cannot obtain the mental health or substance abuse recovery services they need. • Too many of the County's senior citizens live alone or are isolated from essential social interaction that would enliven their later years with rich emotional experiences. Smoking and heavy drinking among this population are at rates nearly double the State average, complicating many of the health, social and emotional challenges that come with age. More challenges are down the road. Longer range planning must anticipate the special needs and circumstances of the fast- est growing demographic groups. Senior citizens, who already make up 32 percent of the population, are expected to grow to 36 percent if current trends continue. Racial and ethnic change should also shape planning, as the minority population contin- ues to grow. Programs must be fashioned toward the particular needs of these groups. Charity helps, philanthropy matters, but public dollars are essential. As the Community Needs Assessment details, there is . reason for optimism. Indian River County is fortunate to have a community of both small and large donors, generous with their volunteer time and financial support. Included among them are some of the highest income residents in Florida, many of whom are committed to meeting Indian River County �;' the needs of vulnerable is fortunate to have ' individuals and families a community of both through annual charitable small and large do- gifts or improving the com- nors, generous with I' munity through long-term their volunteer time �', philanthropic investments. and financial support. Many of our community's best ideas and promising practices are the result of this generosity. On the other hand, the spread between higher and lower income residents is pronounced, and the County has one of the highest income inequality profiles in the entire country. Poverty levels appear intractable; more middle-class households are finding they are no longer able to provide the fundamental needs that they were accustomed to provide themselves. County residents are fortunate to have dedicated public fund- ing for education, health and other essential services. However, more will be required if all the best ideas and promising prac- tices that can improve our community quality of life are going to have a chance at scaling up.