Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment Process is completed every five to six years to raise the awareness of the public to the health and social service needs of Rowan County, and to serve as a guidance document in making funding decisions and developing strategies to address the needs identified. The methods used to gather information included:

• Gathering secondary data relevant to the health and social service indicators of Rowan County
• lConducting focus group meetings of a broad representation, including county leaders, professionals, and citizen volunteers
• Conducting a statistically representative telephone survey of the citizens of Rowan County to gather their input

As a result of the most recent Needs Assessment effort, completed in 2005, the following priorities were established and pursued:

Primary:

• Education and Personal Empowerment
• Medical and Dental Care Accessibility
• Jobs: Creation and Retention

Secondary:

• Barriers to the County's Hispanic and Non-English Speaking Populations
• Issues Affecting Rowan County Youth
• Substance Abuse
• Needs for Older Adults
• Ensuring that Basic Needs Are Met
  

FEMA

• Purpose: To supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both non-profit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies.
• History: Created under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act on July 24, 1987.
• Specifics: Calls for “sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits.

How to Apply:
Applications for agencies providing emergency food and shelter funds are available at the Rowan County United Way office. The local Emergency Food and Shelter Board determines how the funds awarded to our community through the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act are to be distributed. Under the terms of the grant, programs operated by local, not-for-profit service organizations, including local government and private voluntary organizations, are eligible under the following conditions:

• Be a not-for-profit or an agency of government
• Have an accounting system or an approved fiscal agent
• Have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or be in the process of securing one.
• Conduct an independent annual audit
• Practice non-discrimination
• For private, non-profit organizations, have a voluntary board
• To the extent practical, involve homeless individuals and families through employment, volunteer programs, etc., in providing emergency food and shelter services

Qualifying organizations are encouraged to apply. New applicants must provide their most recent audit. For more information, call the United Way office at 704-633-1802.

Allocations
Approximately a hundred volunteers decide how United Way dollars are spent in Rowan County. The Allocations Process allows volunteers to serve as stewards of the community’s money by monitoring how agencies spend.

The 100 volunteers make up eight panels. They visit each agency to observe the delivery of services to Rowan County residents, as well as analyze budgets to ensure that funds are being used efficiently.

Day of Caring

Click here to find out about this annual volunteer event. Each year, volunteers from numerous companies across the community come together to complete projects such as landscaping, painting, and building for local schools and agencies.

Community Chest Fund

Rowan County United Way’s Community Chest Fund meets urgent needs by serving as a “cushion” or “safety net” for United Way agencies and community partners. When a crisis arises, the Community Chest Fund allows the United Way to respond quickly and effectively.

Community Chest Form

 211

• The 211 system provides health and human services information to callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• 211 offers information in more than 120 languages.
• 211 is a partnership with United Way of North Carolina to better serve local United Way agencies.
• Information is accessible online.

MatchMaker

What Is the MatchMaker Program?

MatchMaker is a program which provides local companies an opportunity to recycle surplus equipment and other items to participating not-for-profit agencies

Why Is the Program Important?

In-Kind gifts allow not-for-profit organizations to better serve their clients by supplementing an already tight budget. For the company, in-kind giving helps to reduce inventory, lower warehousing costs, and is an effective way to recycle quality products.

Who Benefits?

Contributions are offered to participating not-for-profit organizations on a need basis. If a donated item is needed by more than one organization, United Way will match on a first response basis.

How Does the Program Operate?

A company representative contacts the United Way office and gives details of item(s) to be donated. United Way identifies the agency which has the need for the item. Once the match has been made, the agency director contacts the company to make arrangements to receive the donation.

When Is the Program Available?

The program is available all year!

For more information regarding the United Way MatchMaker Program, click here.

AGENCY NEED LIST:

• A/V Equipment
• Building/Construction Supplies
• Computers / Peripherals
• Copiers
• Fax Machine and Switch
• Landscaping Supplies
• Office Furniture
• Office / Maintenance Supplies
• Outdoor Furniture
• Paper Goods
• Printers
• Recreational Equipment
• Surplus Food