The survey endorsed investment in preventative strategies that address the needs of children at an early and engage their families as a whole.
NORTHAMPTON — United Way of Hampshire County is looking to fine-tune its focus on children and youth with feed-back from professionals and the public.
The agency recently compiled information from 200 surveys asking parents, human service groups and professionals who work with youth how to better allocate United Way funds. The needs of young people is one of three areas that United Way focuses on, along with economic security and health and safety. United Way annually distributes about $700,000 a year to 28 agencies in Hampshire County.
According to Executive Director James Ayers, United Way several years ago switched to a cycle in which it funds each of its three areas of concern for three-year periods instead of year-by-year. In preparation for allocating its support for programs dealing with the social, emotional and cognitive needs of young people, it surveyed area professionals and concerned members of the public on the subject.
Ayers said United Way found out there is a particular need for mentoring at-risk youth. The survey also endorsed investment in preventative strategies that address the needs of children at an early and engage their families as a whole.
Those needs were spelled out in a request for proposals that United Way sent out last month. Ayers said the organization expects to make its awards next March.
“This is a way to make sure we’re spending money as wisely as possible,” he said. “We see it as a way to be as transparent as possible.”
Similar surveys have helped United Way focus its funding on economic security and health and safety as well, Ayers said.