Poverty Amidst Plenty

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Poverty Amidst Plenty, is the seventh Needs Assessment undertaken by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) in partnership with Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. Pamela Brown, Ph.D., currently the Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, is the author of the study.

We spoke with Mary Spencer, President and CEO of CFAAC about the results of the 2022 Needs Assessment. The report examines the gap that exists between the current state of Anne Arundel County and the desired state of Anne Arundel County in terms of the key measures of community well-being. The study will be used to align the grant making done by CFAAC with the most pressing needs of the community.

Well-being measurements for the report included health, mental health, food access, gun violence, transportation, homelessness, child care, the environment, labor shortages and social media. Anne Arundel County has consistently struggle with, and has a shortage of public transportation, affordable housing and childcare options. Since the COVID pandemic the county has lost 42 childcare facilities.

The report draws on qualitative data gathered from 14 key informants and 18 focus groups. Focus group areas included emergency department personnel, behavioral health providers, Hispanic residents, advocates, representatives of philanthropy, public and subsidized housing residents, pupil personnel workers, disabled residents, seniors, and a host of others representing a total of 168 participants.