Maine Community Action Partnership shares results of state’s first Community Needs Assessment

AUGUSTA – The Maine Community Action Partnership and Maine’s 10 Community Action Agencies have announced the release of the 2021 Community Needs Assessment.

This systematic data-driven report takes a closer look into the behaviors and needs of the residents of Maine and outlines many of the top issues facing Maine families and individuals. Maine is the first state in the nation to successfully complete a statewide community needs assessment and MeCAP is eager to share the findings as community action agencies across the state prepare for the future. 

The broad purpose of Maine’s Community Action Programs is to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty. This newly released report describes the fundamental economic challenges facing Mainers.

For the first time in MeCAP history, the data and interviews provide a good comparative look at these challenges across the state and up-close issues by region. 

“Much of what we heard will not surprise you,” said Megan Hannan, Executive Director of MeCAP, “we know the reasons many families cannot escape poverty or living on the edge are systemic. The jobs that lead to comfortable lives historically, in mills and manufacturing, have all but vanished. The work ethic has not. But the available jobs are not the same.”

“The top issues: safe, affordable housing; affordable, quality childcare; generational poverty; holistic health care; and transportation are all ruled by systems that work against low- and moderate-income households,” Hannan said. “Add the intersections of systemic racism, ageism, anti-LGBTQ+, and too many Maine families and individuals have a tough time working their way out.”

Community leaders agree.

“I am thrilled that we now have this data, which I see as another tool in our efforts to support individuals and families across Maine,” said Joseph Everett, President and CEO of The Opportunity Alliance. “Here in Cumberland County, we know that too many people are struggling to find safe, affordable housing and affordable, quality childcare. Our health care options need to be more interconnected and access to transportation needs to be greatly expanded. Generational poverty continues to be a challenge for so many of our neighbors. Hopefully, this statewide assessment is just the beginning of a coordinated effort. We need more than just Community Action Agencies working together. We’re asking lawmakers, business and community leaders, and residents to come together to solve our communities’ most pressing challenges.”

The Opportunity Alliance is Cumberland County’s Community Action Agency, with more than 55 tightly connected programs serving 20,000+ individuals each year.

The assessment was conducted by MeCAP in partnership with Crescendo Consulting Group. The 357-page report includes a broad overview of MeCAP and Maine’s ten community action agencies, describes the approaches and methodology used in the report, and identifies themes and high-level action areas. 

The report prioritized recommendations for the state as a whole and each individual region.

After completing a needs prioritization process, the report identifies the five top statewide needs as:

1.   Safe, affordable housing

2.   Affordable, quality childcare

3.   Ending the cycle of generational poverty

4.   Holistic person-centered health care

5.   Transportation

About Maine's Community Action Partnership

Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP) is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Maine citizens by advocating for, enhancing and supporting the work of Maine CAAs. Each of Maine's 10 CAAs is rooted in the communities within which it serves, collectively touching the lives of approximately 140,000 clients. Each individual CAA has developed a mission statement and program focus areas specific to its organization and service area through community needs assessments. The unifying thread weaving the CAAs together is the strategic effort to improve the quality of life, health, and economic circumstances of Maine's most vulnerable citizens -- specifically targeting Maine's low and very low-income people. Learn more at: www.mecap.org.

About The Opportunity Alliance

Through 55 integrated and community-based programs, The Opportunity Alliance serves more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports. Learn more about TOA by visiting their website at www.OpportunityAlliance.org. <