Central Iowans live in stable, healthy places with essential supports they need to thrive.


If a person in our community does not have the essential things they need to survive, things like consistent access to healthy food, or a safe place to live, they cannot find the stability they need to thrive. United Way of Central Iowa focuses on supporting and providing resources to programs that ensure our community is able to support our most vulnerable. 
 

Key Indicators of Essential Needs

Food Insecurity/Access to Healthy Food

  • Percent of central Iowans who have access to healthy food
  • EQUITY LENS: Percent of central Iowan children who are food insecure, and Percent of American seniors who are food insecure

Affordable Housing

  • Percent of central Iowa households who spend 30% or more of household income on housing costs
  • EQUITY LENS: Percent of central Iowa households who spend 30% or more of household income on housing costs by race

Homelessness

  • Number of central Iowans who are homeless
  • EQUITY LENS: Number of central Iowans who are homeless by race

Safe and Healthy Community

  • Neighborhood Index
  • EQUITY LENS: None

The diverse populations listed above are examples where inequities/disparities/gaps have been identified within our community, and data is available at either the state or county level. United Way of Central Iowa recognizes inequities/disparities/gaps exist in multiple areas for many people in our community. If inequities/disparities/gaps can be demonstrated by our funded partners for additional populations, that data will be considered as well.

 

Strategies

  • EN1: Increase availability of and reduce barriers to accessing healthy food for central Iowans with limited resources and access
  • EN2: Provide supports needed to keep people in affordable, stable, and healthy homes
  • EN3: Increase built environments and opportunities for safe, health-promoting spaces where central Iowans live, work, and play

 

Strategies and Examples of Performance Measures:

The Performance Measures (PM) below are potential measures of program outcomes. Programs may report Performance Measures on any targeted populations they serve, based on:

  • Race/ethnicity
  • Gender identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Income level
  • Ability status
  • English Language Learners
  • Refugee status
  • Criminal background

 

EN1: Increase availability of and reduce barriers to accessing healthy food for central Iowans with limited resources and access

(Healthy food is defined as a variety of foods that provide people the nutrients they need to maintain health, feel good, and have energy. Carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals are the nutrients that make up a healthy diet. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. Unhealthy foods are low in important nutrients necessary for health and high in salt, fat, and sugar.)

  • PM: Number of people receiving healthy foods
  • PM: Pounds of healthy food distributed
  • PM: Policies and practices that are implemented to improve access to healthy food

EN2: Provide supports needed to keep people in affordable, stable, and healthy homes

Affordable, stable and healthy homes is defined as individuals and families paying at or less than 30% of their household income for a dwelling with modern working amenities that promote hygiene and safety (e.g. indoor plumbing, working stove) and without harmful substances in building materials (e.g. lead))

  • PM: Number of people served
  • PM: Number/percent of people who access supports that keep them in affordable, stable, and healthy housing
  • PM: Number/percent of people who access supports to obtain affordable, stable, and healthy housing
  • PM: Policies and practices that are implemented to improve access to affordable, stable, and healthy housing

EN3: Increase built environments and opportunities for safe, health-promoting spaces where central Iowans live, work, and play

  • PM: Number/percent safe and health promoting places
  • PM: Number/percent of people who report increase safety and health
  • PM: Number/percent of community engagement opportunities