Trends

An encouraging trend is the reduction in priority listing of food issues (the top issue in the most recent CNA), but food access remains a concern, and should not “fall off the radar.” A disturbing trend is the rise of poverty in the 18 – 34 age category. Also unsettling is the high percentage of children under five who live below the poverty line. As noted above, there is a lack of programs throughout the region, especially in Fannin and Cooke counties, to address early childhood poverty and education. Intergenerational poverty is one of the major issues in America, and Texoma is no exception; children born and raised in poverty are more likely to perpetuate that existence. TCOG has recently sponsored the Getting Ahead program, targeted at persons in poverty, especially intergenerational poverty. It is too early to gauge the efficacy of this program, and only TCOG has sponsored classes to date.

Another development is the increasing need for mental health care. This issue has emerged to become one of the top priorities of the region, and has been noted by law enforcement, mental healthcare providers, social service providers, and medical facilities. It is especially disturbing as, noted above, there is a dearth of both mental healthcare providers and facilities. This trend will most likely continue if these needs are not addressed throughout the region.