VI .
Stage 2 Report Highlights
A .
Stage 2 Qualitative Stakeholder Interviews and Focus Group Discussions
During Stage 2 , qualitative stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions were held with a variety of representatives across the community . The almost 60 one-on-one interviews provided the opportunity to have in-depth discussions about behavioral health and substance misuse service-related issues with local community stakeholders . In many instances , interviewees provided granular insight regarding behavioral health services and access needs .
Over 190 individuals across Polk County were invited to participate in the Stage 2 interviews and almost 60 subsequently confirmed and were interviewed across the following segments :
• Polk Vision Behavioral Health Team
• Health care service providers
• Judicial system representatives
• Law enforcement representatives
• Social service and community organization leaders
• Faith-based leaders
• Childcare workers
• LGBTQ community members
• School social workers
• Elected officials
Virtual focus groups were also promoted and convened to provide further insight into the behavioral health and substance misuse-related needs of Polk County . Participants provided their perceptions about area services in addition to broader community needs . Fourteen focus group discussions were completed with approximately 130 total participants . The discussions included the following groups :
• People experiencing homelessness
• At-risk children
• At-risk young adults
• At-risk adults with children
• Workers who care for at-risk families
• Polk Vision Quality of Life members
• Recovery community
• School social workers
• Chamber and employer representatives
• Open forum public groups ( four ) which encompassed a broad range of community and healthcare leaders
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