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Additional Insights and Recommendations The committee's expanded data collection and community engagement efforts have revealed additional insights that inform our recommendation • Demographic Shifts: Indian River County's aging population and increasing youth diversity necessitate culturally tailored and accessible services. We recommend targeted outreach and service expansion that reflects the demographic shifts within the county. Accessibility of Resources: Transportation and scheduling barriers continue to limit access to essential services. We recommend that funded programs prioritize geographic convenience and adaptable scheduling to ensure resources reach those in need effectively. Conclusion In summary, the 2024/2025 Needs Assessment findings by the Children's Services Advisory Committee highlight both the progress made and the emerging needs within Indian River County. Addressing these needs will require a continued commitment to collaborative partnerships, strategic investment in preventiv and supportive services, and a focus on creating equitable access to resources across all sectors of the community. By prioritizing these actions, we aim to foster a healthier, more resilient, and prosperous future for all county residents. UNDERMET NEEDS Category Focus Area Progress Unmet Needs Prenatal Care Slight improvement in early access to Significant racial/ethnic disparities remain, with Black and prenatal care. Hispanic mothers less likely to receive timely care. Youth Behavioral Health Decline in substance use overall, some High rates of depression and suicidal ideation, especially reduction in youth vaping. among female students; limited mental health resources. Health & Well - being Youth obesity rates below state average; Higher obesity risks for minority youth and those in apartment Physical Health decrease in lifetime use of harmful housing; access gaps for healthy lifestyle programs. substances. Special Needs Programs Increased support for students with Growing demand for services exceeds current capacity, developmental delays and autism. especially for targeted interventions for autism. Community initiatives to reduce risk High levels of ACEs persist, particularly in household mental Childhood Adversity factors have begun. health and substance abuse. Nurturing Child Abuse and Foster Higher than state average for abuse incidents; increased foster Families & Care Slight decrease in abuse rates. care placements, particularly for teens. Communities Community-based programs available for Increase in juvenile arrests and misdemeanor offenses; need Juvenile Delinquency early intervention. for more diversion and youth support programs. Kindergarten Readiness Improvements in VPK program Nearly half of incoming kindergarten students are not participation. prepared; limited access to early learning programs. Success in Strong performance on state assessments Chronic absenteeism rising post -pandemic; attendance School & Life Academic Achievement in reading and math; post -pandemic programs need expansion and support for high-risk students. recovery. High School Graduation Graduation rates above state average; Need for expanded vocational training and job readiness and Career Pathways existing partnerships with local businesses. Programs; limited career pathways for non -college -bound outh.