Priority Needs and Suggested Actions

Priority needs and suggested actions are:

Mental Health Needs

Community education about this need is the necessary first step to address this issue. Groups such as the Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team, and other efforts to increase the assets to address this need are underway.

Childhood Poverty

As noted above, this is a critical need to alleviate poverty. These are often the unseen, “forgotten” children who “fall through the cracks.” Clearly more efforts and assets much be brought to the forefront to address this priority need.

Housing

This is a major need, both for the families of the region, but also for the economic development (jobs) of each county. Cities are already addressing this issue, but it will remain a need for the next few years as population increases in the region.

Food Insecurity and Food Deserts

The concentration of poverty in specific geographical areas gives rise both to food deserts and insecurity, and leads to commerce that allows these areas to remain in need. This need also overlaps with childhood poverty, with children especially suffering from food issues. Summer lunch programs, as well as “green” food trucks that provide fresh produce to pockets of poverty are possible actions.

Transportation

This issue specifically affects the elderly and disabled, who cannot get transportation to medical providers and facilities. Planning efforts are underway by the local MPO, as well as the Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan.

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