Description

The 2013 Hispanic Needs Assessment project was developed to assess current conditions, assets, and needs of the Latino population in the nine-county Greater Kansas City area. The project primarily emphasized economic, social, educational, health, and civic conditions. The findings from the project are to be used for the purpose of creating a road map for policy makers, community organizations, educators, Hispanic families, and students. This road map, in turn, is to be used to build and strengthen the future of the Latino community in Greater Kansas City.

• Project Contacts – Kathryn L. Fuger, 816.235.5351
• Project Period – 2012-2014
• Project Funding – $70,800
• Funding Source – Latino Civic Engagement Collaborative

Core Functions

Applied Research

This assessment project employed a framework focused on determinants of health, defined as “the range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health status.” Of the many determinants of health, this assessment focused on socioeconomic conditions, access to health care services, availability of quality education, access to housing and other resources for community living, and discrimination. Additional emphasis was placed on assessing the civic health of the community, defined as activities that expand collective actions, resources, skills, expertise, and knowledge of individuals to increase choices and opportunities and improve quality of life in communities.

Community Services and Supports

The Hispanic Needs Assessment was commissioned by the Latino Civic Engagement Collaborative (LCEC) to support its work to bring about measurable improvements in the quality of life for Latinos in Kansas City. The LCEC identified one of its primary goals to be the creation and distribution of a research study that describes the current conditions and needs of the Greater Kansas City Latino population. Many volunteers from the community stepped forward to promote participation in the study as well as recruit other community members to the effort.

Information Dissemination

Findings from the project are being published and disseminated through an Executive Summary and full report of the 2013 Greater Kansas City Hispanic Needs Assessment. Subsequently, HNA research will be used for the purpose of creating a road map for policy makers, community organizations, educators, Hispanic families, and students, and build and strengthen the future of the Latino community in Greater Kansas City.

Interdisciplinary Personnel Preparation

Collaborators from different disciplines within the university, as well as professionals from among the Latino community worked to bring the HNA to completion.

Program Need and Historical Context

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts commissioned the first Hispanic Needs Assessment in Greater Kansas City over 25 years ago, in 1988. After the publication of the 1988 Hispanic Needs Assessment, rapid societal change occurred, greatly affecting the Latino population in Greater Kansas City. Over the following decades, many of today’s leading Hispanic organizations were established, or serving other populations.

Today, a host of nonprofit community organizations and Latino businesses address the needs of the Latino population for education, health and mental health, housing, employment, and social services. Among these are the organizations that sponsored and guided the current assessment project.
The LCEC identified a need for current data to accurately understand present needs of local Latino communities, and plan for the future.

Consumer and Community Involvement

Significant consumer and community involvement was offered by many organizations and individuals, including, but not limited to: The Hispanic Assessment Advisory Committee with representatives from the following organizations: Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, Cabot Westside Medical and Dental Center, El Centro, Inc., Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Guadalupe Centers, Inc., Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, Hispanic Economic Development Corporation, Latino Coalition of Kansas City (formerly Coalition of Hispanic Organizations), Latinos of Tomorrow, LULAC National Educational Service Center of Kansas City, Mattie Rhodes Center, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, UMKC Latina(o)/Chicana(o) Studies Program, Westside Housing Organization, and Young Latino Professionals.

Significant Project Activities and Outcomes

• Foundational body of research regarding Kansas City Latino communities
• Enhanced partnerships with Latino-serving organizations included in the LCEC
• Published research available for the community

Institute’s Role

• Designed online and paper survey and instrument design
• Completed historical review, demographics change study, and overview of 1988 study
• Conducted survey distribution, focus groups, interviews and managed collection efforts
• Analyzed results
• Created report of findings, product development and dissemination

Products

• 2013 Kansas City Hispanic Needs Assessment Full Report
• Executive Summary

Impact

System

Established current research to be used for the purpose of creating a road map for policy makers, community organizations, educators, Hispanic families, and students. This road map will be used to build and strengthen the future of the Latino community in Greater Kansas City.