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