9: HUMAN SERVICES
Enhance the quality of life for vulnerable individuals by providing treatment services, fostering self reliance, encouraging
stable and nurturing relationships, and ensuring children, adults, and families are safe in their homes and communities.
Other Information:
CRITICAL ISSUES: Human Services and Workforce Services have been making consistent progress toward meeting their goals. However,
the following critical issues will impact the amount of resources necessary to achieve these goals over the next 10 years.
Proactive public policy discussions and choices will be necessary to respond. Critical Issue #1: Changing Demographics • The
population of youth, age 0-17, will increase by 27% over the next 10 years—an average of 19,500 more youth per year. • By
the age of 18: < 1 in 31 youths will enter Division of Child and Family Services custody or supervision. < 1 in 11 will spend
time in locked detention (avg. 8- 11 days). < 1 in 43 youths will be committed to Youth Corrections Custody (long-term involvement).
• Fewer people will receive subsidized childcare, and lower subsidies will be provided to those that qualify for subsidies.
Approximately 8,500 children currently receive childcare subsidies each month. • The population of elderly, ages 65 and over,
will increase by nearly 30% over the next 10 years—an average of almost 5,800 more elderly per year. • Of the 65 and over
population: < Over half report having at least one disability. < 14% have difficulty with daily activities such as eating
and dressing. < An additional 8% have difficulty with activities such as preparing meals, shopping, housework, managing money,
and using the phone. < 10% live in poverty. Critical Issue #2: Substance Abuse • Substance abuse is a key driving factor for
many Human Services issues (e.g., child abuse, domestic violence, criminal behavior). • Between FY1991 and FY2001, the number
of women entering publicly funded treatment programs increased by 146% compared to a 12% increase for men. • In FY2002, 54%
of women entering treatment had dependent children. 4% were pregnant at admission. • 39% of the female treatment population
were treated for an addiction to Methamphetamine (METH)–the most difficult addiction to treat. • METH outpaced all other illicit
drugs as the drug of choice. • 44% of referrals into treatment come from the criminal justice system. • 70% of state inmates
in the Utah State Prison System need substance abuse treatment. Critical Issue #3: Economic Prosperity • Economic prosperity
(of quality jobs available statewide) requires a planned, strategic, and united effort of education, economic development,
and workforce services in order to equip Utah 's workforce with advanced and improved skills and to connect Utah companies
with qualified workers. • In an economic downturn, jobs become scarce, the number of unemployed workers increases, and the
demand for supportive services such as financial assistance and food stamp assistance increases. To address these critical
issues, and their impact on publicly-funded services over the next 10 years, state, community, public, and private agencies
must collaborate and begin developing recommendations and action plans focusing on prevention and early intervention. They
must also collaborate to eliminate unnecessary duplication and fill important gaps so that people can maximize their options.
Early planning to address these issues will help mitigate their effects on Utah communities and publicly-funded services so
that they do not become "critical" problems.
Objective(s):
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