In the class, Medicare and More (a general education, Call to Participation course) – students (50 per year) explore governmental programs in support of under-resourced, underrepresented, and marginalized populations, typically most vulnerable populations living in poverty. Then they contrast them to other nations’ responses to these social issues to try to understand how access to economic, social, political, and cultural capital differs around the world. Findings from focus groups they conduct will be used to invite community organizations to create bridges of understanding and reciprocal relationships with the members and leaders impacted in the study to effectively address disparities. A challenge with many government initiatives and programs is that they are often developed by people outside the communities that they have been created to help and without consultation from vulnerable community members. Here, instead, students work with the community, so Dubuque can aim to address disparities and better administer resources across the community.
Date: ____________
Time: ______________
Location: ________________
Hello, my name is _____________. I am assisting with the Cultural Snapshot project, the assessment process to understand cultural experiences within the city of Dubuque. The purpose is to assess the needs of communities within Dubuque and determine how we can best meet those needs through Community Grants, education programs, and fundraising activities. To do this, we need to understand how aware local residents are of health and social services offered in the in the city. We are interested in learning about your awareness of these services and understanding your experiences. This focus group will last about 1-2 hours and your participation is voluntary. Participants may choose to withdraw from the study at any time. We plan to keep information confidential and no one should be able to figure out your participation in this study.
Instructions: A focus group is like a group interview. We are interested in everyone’s responses to the questions, and there are no right or wrong answers. We appreciate your input in the discussion.
Questions (ask and probe for responses):
Are you receiving or accessing assistance?
If yes – What are the resources and how did you find the resources that you use?
Also if yes - How did it feel to go through the process of applying for the resources you use?
Are there barriers (banking/lending, physical, social or emotional e.g., shame, pride of not using resources) that prevent you from using resources?
What do you think are the most important issues in your community?
If you could design a program to address an issue, what recommendations would you make?
For someone who hasn’t received assistance, what misconceptions do you think they might have?
Which federal assistance program are you utilizing?
How did you learn/know where to begin? Find out where to apply, who to contact, etc.?
Approximately how long did the process take to complete - meaning from when you learned about the program, qualifying, enrolling, and being accepted in the federal assistance program?
Which parts of the application and/or the application process did you find most difficult?
Was there help offered in explaining any complicated/confusing questions? By whom and how?
What did you find most difficult about obtaining federal assistance?
When you were experiencing these difficulties, which people, resources, organizations were most helpful? Why/How?
What advice would you provide for individuals who are just starting the process of seeking federal assistance?
Which programs do you find complement each other well? Why? (For example: SNAP and TANF)
What strategies have you found to help avoid issues? What are the issues and why do you think they are coming about? (For example, SSDI and fluctuating income levels.)
What suggestions could providers offer that would help make the process smoother, more efficient, or easier throughout the process?
Were there parts that seemed an unnecessary burden that made it more of an obstacle than it needed to be?
What else would you like to tell us we haven’t asked?
Thank you very much for your responses. We hope to use them to improve quality of life in the city of Dubuque
Demographic Information
The purpose of this questionnaire is to understand the community in Dubuque more. These questions may include things such as insurance, living arrangements, employment details, and questions about education.
General
How long have you lived in the United States?
Less than 3 months____
3-6 months____
6 months-1 year____
1-5 years____
5-10 years____
10-20 years____
20+ years____
Entire life/Native Citizen____
Prefer not to answer_____
Have you lived in any other city in the United States? If yes, where? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How well can you speak English?
None____
A few words____
Well____
Fluently____
Prefer not to answer____
If you can, how did you learn to speak English? __________________________________________________________________
Do you speak any other languages?
__________________________________________________________________
What is your highest level of formal education that you’ve completed (included education completed in any country)? __________________________________________________________________
Age: __________
Ethnicity: White____ Black/African American____ American Indian/Alaskan Native_____ Asian_____ Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander______ Hispanic or Latino ____
Gender Identity: Male ______ Female______ Other (Specify)________
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual ______ Homosexual _____ Bisexual ____ Prefer not to answer ______
Do you consider yourself to be transgender: Yes _____ No _____
Marital Status: Married____ Single____ Widowed____ Divorced_____
Do you regularly practice a particular religion? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
If you do regularly practice a religion, what religion do you practice? ______________ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Who lives in your house/apartment with you (described by relation, e.g., child, husband – do NOT provide names)? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing
What type dwelling do you live in? House____ Apartment____ Condo___ Mobile Home____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Is your dwelling? Owned by you or someone in the household with a mortgage or loan ____ Owned by you or someone in the household free and clear (without loan) _____ Rented _____ Occupied without payment or rent? _____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Do you pay more than 1/3 (33%) of your income for your housing? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Does your housing have: a working stove Yes ___ No ___; a working refrigerator Yes ___ No ___; a working toilet Yes ___ No ___; a working shower Yes ___ No ___
If you have children, how many? ______ Prefer Not to Answer ____
How old are your children? Between _____ and _____
Do all your children live with you? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Are you able to afford the following:
To pay your rent, mortgage, utility bills or loan repayments
To keep your home adequately warm
To face unexpected financial expenses
(If yes to 13-15 proceed to education section question 16, if no proceed to employment section question 23)
Education
What level of school do your children attend (indicate with number of children)?
Daycare____
Preschool____
Elementary____
Middle____
High____
College____
Does the school have an official able to communicate with you? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Does the school have a teacher that can communicate with your children?
Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Do your children have access to necessary school supplies? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Do you regularly attend PTA meetings? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Are you able to regularly participate in the meetings? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
What do you think the local school system could do to help you and your children’s education? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you currently continuing your education? Yes___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
If so, what type of education program are you enrolled in?
If not, are you interested in further education but prevented from pursuing it? If so, explain.
Employment
Do you work full-time? Yes__ No __ Prefer Not to Answer ____ If yes, where do you work? _________________________________________________________________
Do you own a business? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
If so, how many people do you employ and what type of business is it.
Are you a member of the Chamber of Commerce? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Would you like to be a member of the Chamber? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Do you receive support from Start-Up Dubuque or any other small business support program in Dubuque? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Would you like to receive such support? Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Given your income and your family circumstances, do you earn enough to:
To go on vacation once a year Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
To own a television set Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
To own a washing machine Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
To own a car Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
To own a cell phone and cell phone plan Yes ___ No ___ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Do you need help getting a better job? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
Are you aware of employment services? Yes____ No____ Prefer Not to Answer ____
What is your job(s)? __________________________________________________________________
How many hours a week do you work by location?
5-10 hours____
10-20 hours____
20-40 hours____
More than 40 hours____
Is your job:
full-time____
part-time____
on-call____
other (please specify) ______________________________________________________
If paid in hourly wages, what is your hourly wage before taxes?
$1-$9____
$10-$19____
$20-$49____
$50+____
Paid in Salary____
If paid in monthly salary, what is your monthly salary before taxes?
$1-$1999____
$2000-$3999____
$4000-$5999____
$6000 or more____
How long have you worked at this location?
Less than 1 year____
1-2 years____
3-4 years____
5-9 years____
10-19 years____
20-29 years____
30+ years____
Did you receive any on the job training?
Formal____
Informal____
Other (please specify) _____________________________________________________
How long did the training last?
1 month or less____
1-3 months____
4-6 months____
7 months-1year____
More than 1 year____
Other (please specify) _____________________________________________________
Have you ever been unemployed and not looking for a job? Yes____ No____
If Yes, how long in total?
Less than 1 year____
1-3 years____
4-5 years____
6-10 years____
10+ years____
Health Care
Do you have medical benefits? Yes____ No ____ Prefer to Not Answer ____
Do you have health insurance? Yes ___ No___ Prefer to Not Answer ____
Which of the following types of health insurance do you have if any?
Insurance from your employer ______
Insurance from someone else’s employer ______
A plan you buy yourself _________
Medicare (government program for those over 65) ________
Title 19 _______
Dental Insurance _________
Other _____________
During the past year in Iowa was there ever a time when you did not visit a doctor or get medical help for any of the following reasons?
If yes, answer the following. If no, go to #35.
Cost
Yes_____
No _______ Prefer to Not Answer ____
Language barrier
Yes _______
No _____ Prefer to Not Answer ____
No transportation
Yes _______
No _____ Prefer to Not Answer ____
Unable to get time off work
Yes____ No___ Prefer to Not Answer ____
Other (specify) ___________________________________
During the last year how often have you seen a doctor or nurse for a health visit?
0 times____
1-2 times____
2-4 times____
4-7 times____
7-10 times____
10+ times____
During the last year how often did you go to the dentist?
0 times____
1-2 times____
2-4 times____
4-7 times____
7-10 times____
10+ times____
Where do you usually get health care? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In general, would you say your physical health is:
Excellent ____
Very good _____
Good ______
Fair ______
Poor_______
In general, would you say your mental health is:
Excellent ____
Very good _____
Good ______
Fair ______
Poor_______
How safe do you consider your neighborhood to be?
Very safe _____
Somewhat safe _____
Not safe______
What do you think the local health department, hospital, doctors, nurses and clinics could do to help you and your family be healthier? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you able to afford the following:
To eat meat or protein regularly
Quality of Life
What do you consider is needed for quality of life? Please rank the following from most to least important.
Employment
Access to Healthcare
Public Safety
Recreation
Arts/Culture
Housing
Transportation
Ability to practice your religion/spirituality
Connection with others
Connection with your surroundings
Living by the principals which you live your life by
Are there any services in the community (from City, County, non-profit and other organizations) that you believe you are not receiving? Please list them.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and help!