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Cultural Council of Indian River County After School Arts Program Children's Services Advisory Committee - Indian River County Be PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one page) 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need ? c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state or national trend data, with reference source, that corroborates that this is an area of need . What : Limited number of affordable programs available to working parents in the two weeks prior to the start of school. Who : Children with risk factors such as qualifying for the free or reduced lunch program, living in single parent homes, alcohol, tobacco or drug use, symptoms of depression, displaying anti-social behavior or dropping out of school Many families have single parents or both parents working full time . Many parents find themselves stretched to the limit trying to provide just basic needs . Time constraints force us to use the time we have efficiently and wisely. Where : The numbers of school aged children living in Indian River County are located in the Western, central and Southern ends of the County. The children with the greatest Socioeconomic need are centrally located in the County. Summer programs offered at this time dwindle, programs for teens are limited . The Summer Cultural Camp offers productive, supervised activities that give children tools for living. The Summer Cultural Camp offers transportation to a central location in the morning (GYAC) . From there, field trips and classes are arranged . transportation Data : Figures from the Florida Department of Education indicate a steady increase in students eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program statewide, Indian River County shows 39% of the children in the school system qualify for this program, which translates into 5935 eligible children. Data from the Needs Assessment conducted last year by the Children' s Services Advisory Committee indicated that the percent growth in impoverished families with children in Indian River County had a 46% rise from 1990 —2000 . A subsidized childcare sites and wait list chart in the same report indicated that there is a capacity for 182 in- school children, but the need is for 250, revealing ii gap of 68 needing a place for childcare after school. The Cultural Council is identified as an asset to the community in the service that we currently provide . The focus on the need for mental wellness in our children was evident in the report, especially for programs that prevent mental distress and illness . This program provides such a focus . 2. a) Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted population ; b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted population of your program. a) Boys & Girls Clubs, located in the Southern end of the County and in Sebastian, Gifford Youth Activities Center in Gifford, Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center in Wabasso and Children' s Home Society' s Home on 65 street are all located where the children in need are. b) In conversations with these entities, it was revealed that arts instruction was viewed as a desirable component but basic needs had to be met first . By the time basic needs are met; funds are scarce for including arts instruction. All acknowledged that arts instruction would enhance the program and the children' s experience in after school activities . Some organizations have volunteers that come and provide intermittent services, but not consistently. Consistency and dependability are the cornerstones of providing children with an environment that promotes mental wellness . 5