Branch County's Multi-Purpose Collaborative Body
Bringing Branch County people and organizations together to strengthen our community since 1989
Snapshot 2004
Snapshot 2000
interviews with residents consumer survey
key informant organizational survey
In the summer of 2000, the Family Services Network, the United Way of Branch County, and the Branch County Community Foundation conducted a community assessment of Branch County. They used a model developed by Family Support America, which identifies both strengths and needs.
Traditional sources of objective data were compiled by Kathy Koshelnyk, health demographer at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Much of this information can be found at www.bhsj.org
Subjective information was collected from Branch County residents in interviews with residents, a consumer survey, focus groups, key informant surveys, and an organizational survey.
The information was presented to FSN members and board members of the United Way and Community Foundation on November 1, 2000. First, Kathy Koshelnyk presented data on health, economy, public safety, and education in Branch County. Next, the results of the surveys, interviews, and focus groups were shared. Then Michael Hass, GIS agent with Michigan State University Extension, Branch County demonstrated several maps of the information collected on the surveys.
Based on this information, the participants listed strengths and concerns:
Strengths Identified:
Vocational training, safe community, growth (yet our community is not really prepared for it,) many live near relatives they can count on, stability--people have lived here a long time and plan to stay, schools, churches, people are satisfied with jobs and employers, neighbors, health care, maternal child health trend improving, increased births (denotes confidence,) like to shop locally in locally owned stores, good feeling about air and water quality, good feeling about law enforcement, acknowledgement of racism (yes, it is a problem, but it is good that it recognized as a problem.)
Concerns Identified:
Top six: Affordable housing, not enough for teens to do, child care/day care, public transportation (especially for seniors,) racism/ethnic diversity, and aging parents/the elderly
Other concerns: not enough emphasis on education and literacy, lack of information about services available, affordable dental care, high rate of DUI offenses, agencies don't have convenient times, alcoholism, parenting education, linkage to other services, family recreation, affordable medical care, underage drinking/drugs, child abuse and neglect, tobacco, poverty.
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