Community Partners
Community Condition Advisory Team
Marc Baty, Department of Human Services
The Iowa Department of Human Services helps individuals and families achieve safe, stable, self-sufficient, and healthy lives, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the state. DHS makes a positive difference in the lives of Iowans. www.dhs.state.ia.us
Dr. David Benson, Superintendent,
Cedar Rapids Community School District
The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is the second largest school district in the state of Iowa. CRCSD’s mission is to develop world-class learners and responsible citizens. www.cr.k12.ia.us
"A Community Condition report can present community data over time that indicate social trends necessary for various social service providers. The use of data helps focus the efforts of funders in addressing community trends through early identification.”
Lois Buntz, President & CEO,
United Way of East Central Iowa
United Way of East Central Iowa is the trusted leader and catalyst for envisioning and empowering positive community change. UWECI builds strong families and communities by helping those most in need. www.uweci.org
John Brandt, Linn County Community Services
Linn County Community Services – Core Services provides financial management, administrative and planning services for human service programs provided by the county. Core Services also organizes and participates in many community human services activities in the local area. www.linncounty.org/department.asp?Dept_Id=11&Page_Id=397
Curtis Dickson, Director, Linn County Public Health
Linn County Public Health exists to prevent disease and injury, promote healthy behavior, and protect the public and their environment. The department of public health works to build a healthy community in Linn County.
www.linncounty.org/department.asp?Dept_Id=17&Page_Id=403
"The community engages every five years (now underway in 2010) with Healthy Linn Care Network and Linn County Public Health in an extensive community health needs assessment that leads to a five-year "Community Health Improvement Plan." Many health concerns and issues will arise, certainly our "twin epidemics" of obesity and tobacco use, but also pressing issues of access to healthcare, substance abuse, lack of adequate community mental
health services, the rise in chronic diseases, quality care for Seniors, air quality control, and generating a community of effort of positive policy and environmental changes for a healthy community.”
George Held, Communications Supervisor,
Grant Wood Area Education Agency
The Grant Wood Area Education Agency serves educators, parents and students in seven counties in eastern Iowa. Its mission is to secure success for all learners. www.aea10.k12.ia.us/
"In education, report cards provide parents, students and their teachers insights into where the student needs to grow or could use assistance. That same analogy applies to this project. I believe the data we have chosen to gather and analyze will help area leaders to evaluate the community’s vitality. More importantly, it should help us to identify critical needs that government, schools, businesses, social agencies and the United Way can address to raise our overall quality of life."
Shannon Meyer, Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst to promote economic vitality and quality of life in Linn County. The Chamber focuses on creating a vibrant community for both the business community and residents within our region. www.cedarrapids.org/
Al Rowe, Kirkwood Community College
The mission of Kirkwood Community College is to identify community needs, provide accessible, quality education and training, and to promote opportunities for lifelong learning. Kirkwood reaches out to help people learn, build skills and improve lives. www.kirkwood.edu
Elizabeth Selk, Director,
Heritage Area Agency on Aging
The Heritage Agency on Aging serves the needs of older adults and their families in seven counties by developing and implementing plans, obtaining federal, state, and other funding for programs and advocating for older adult needs. www.heritageaaa.org
"I believe the Community Condition report will ultimately show us the way to building a strong, healthy, and livable community for people of all ages.”