Innisfail citizens will soon get the opportunity to weigh in on social needs in the community.
Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, manager of Innisfail Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), presented the Innisfail Social Needs Assessment during the May 26 town council meeting.
According to Oliver-McCurdie, the social need assessment will gather information about social issues and trends, resources available in the community, and will determine important issues in the community and build local commitment and support.
“To the best of my information, this is the first time a needs assessment has been done in Innisfail,” said Oliver-McCurdie. “We are not looking for any particular information in particular, but will just work with what we get back in information.”
The survey has been five months in the making, added Oliver-McCurdie.
“Our survey will be distributed a number of ways so Innisfail citizens can weigh in,” she said. “There will be a flyer insert, a Facebook link to the online survey, community organizations will distribute it to their sphere of influence, physical copies can be picked up at town Hall, and we will be taking it to seniors' groups directly as well.”
Oliver-McCurdie added citizens have until Sept. 30 to complete the survey and that she has a target of 20 per cent completion from the community with the final report due in November of 2014.
The survey poses 24 questions and has four sections, including a responder profile, social issues and attitudes, volunteerism, and community relations.
“Responders can enter into a contest to win one of four $200 grocery store gift certificates,” said Oliver-McCurdie. “Winners can shop at either Co-op or Kevin's No Frills.”
She added the survey is an opportunity for Innisfailians to give their voice to what they require from the FCSS.
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