An in-depth study of health needs and opportunities for communities in a nine-county region was recently released by Innovia Foundation. The Needs and Opportunity Assessment report summarizes key health and wellness indicators for the Southeast Washington, Northeast Oregon and North Central Idaho region. This study will provide information for public agencies and nonprofit groups in matching services to the most pressing needs in the region.
The comprehensive assessment was conducted in partnership with the Lewis Clark Valley Healthcare (LCVH) Foundation. Dr. John Rusche, chair of the LCVH Foundation’s Board of Community Advisors noted that, “this assessment will help our not-for-profit partners understand the deeper needs in our area as well as help the Lewis Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation in prioritizing the hundreds of requests for funding. As a great beneficial side effect is the drawing together of communities around those opportunities identified. The needs are many, and with cooperation there is a better chance of success.”
To ensure that the assessment provided a complete picture of needs in the region, the project included 1) a community survey sent to a random sample of over 8,400 households in this area, 2) an online ‘data hub’ permitting users to access and analyze thousands of community indicators, and 3) a series of nine community forums attended by hundreds of participants in the fall of 2019.
Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation, stressed the importance of this multi-pronged approach. “The holistic nature of this assessment allowed us to hold meaningful community conversations based on data and topics that were relevant to community members.” O’Quinn said, “The feedback from residents will be invaluable in guiding community funding decisions.”
According to Mason Burley, Director of Research at Innovia Foundation, the assessment covered a wide range of topics, but also found specific gaps related to economic security issues, educational opportunity, access to quality health and dental services and community development. Dozens of community groups assisted in this year-long assessment efforts, and additional funding support for the work was provided by Idaho Community Foundation, Avista Foundation and Premera Social Impact.
Full Report
Report Appendices
Supplement #1 – Whitman County Survey
Supplement #2 – Wallowa County Survey
Assessment tools and survey data will remain available and open to the public on the project data hub: www.inwinsights.org.
