2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

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Quality of Life Progress Report for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida

Summary Document Twenty-Seventh Annual Edition, 2011

Jacksonville Community Council Inc.


Northeast Florida is fortunate to have such a quality, comprehensive tool as JCCI’s 27th Quality of Life Progress Report to monitor the critical issues facing our region and help shape the strategies that can create lasting, positive change. This body of work is essential for all of us in directing our community’s resources and responses to the most challenging community concerns, as well as providing a benchmark to measure our effectiveness. United Way of Northeast Florida is proud to support and acknowledge the vital analysis and trend data presented in this report, the nation’s longest-running community quality of life indicators program. Congratulations to the volunteers and staff who provided the leadership to produce this outstanding product.

Connie Hodges, President United Way of Northeast Florida

Making Community Works work....for you! The consulting division of JCCI, Community Works uses our more than 35 years of experience in engaging people for community change to work with individuals and organizations around the world to replicate our success. Community Works’ strength is in building capacity in communities to create positive change. We emphasize diverse participation, shared interaction, data-driven decision making, and consensus building.

www.communityworks.us.com

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We realize that one size does not fit all. Community Works works with each client to develop a customized community proposal, tailored to your specific needs. We look forward to hearing from you as you work to improve your community!

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


4

Executive Summary

5

Regional Demographics

6

Quality of Life Indicator Set

Indicator Champion

Achieving Educational Excellence

Community First Credit Union

7

Growing a Vibrant Economy

8

Preserving the Natural Environment

Lazzara Family Foundation Wells Fargo

Promoting Social Wellbeing and Harmony

Jessie Ball duPont Fund

10

Enjoying Arts, Recreation, and Culture

Haskell Company

11

Sustaining a Healthy Community

St. Vincent’s Health Care

12

Maintaining a Responsive Government

Rayonier

13

Moving Around Efficiently and Safely

Rogers Towers, P.A.

14

Keeping the Community Safe

CSX Transportation

15

9

Indicator Index

16

About JCCI

18

JCCI Model for Community Change

19

Table of Contents

Introduction to Community Indicators

The Community Foundation is committed to building a better community through philanthropy. We believe that philanthropy must be based on values and recognize that reliable research makes good decisions possible. The Community Foundation congratulates JCCI for the exceptional and innovative work it does in identifying emerging trends and presenting a clear picture of our community’s progress in this 27th edition of its Quality of Life Progress Report. We are proud to serve as Title Sponsor and to be a partner in this important work, along with the United Way of Northeast Florida, and the special Champions listed above. Cindy Edelman, Chairwoman The Community Foundation in Jacksonville

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

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Introduction to Community Indicators

Quality of Life Progress Report This is the 27th annual edition of the nation’s longest-standing community quality of

life indicators report, recently recognized as a national model by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). When JCCI first gathered volunteers together to talk about community indicators, the hope was to create a “yardstick for community improvement” that would provide “community decision makers and leaders with the capacity to further improve what is already a highly attractive quality of life.” No one had done this before. Little did that group know that thousands of communities across the globe would look to this report as a model for sustainable community change, and that the debate on how progress is measured globally would be shaped by this report. Taken as a set, the Quality of Life Progress Report, both this Summary Document and the online Reference Document, provide a roadmap for the community, showing where we have been, where we are now, and what critical areas need attention if we are to arrive where we want to go. For 27 years this report has been used by decision makers in government, private business, nonprofit organizations, and community groups in two primary ways: • for planning (determining priorities for action, identifying areas to invest resources, and developing programs and policies to address needs) • for evaluation (assessing results of those decisions and actions.) JCCI is proud to be a part of so many of these efforts, and applauds all those who work so tirelessly to build a better community.

Race Relations Progress Report JCCI’s 7th Annual Race Relations Progress Report

measures progress toward eliminating disparities in Education, Employment and Income, Neighborhoods and Housing, Health, Justice, and Politics and Civic Engagement. Annual Progress Reports are available at www.jcci.org.

Community Snapshot Community Snapshot is an interactive map

that allows you to have full access and control over the indicators in your community. The database provides information to compare a geography over time, in context with progress in other geographic areas. Reports, graphs and charts are customizable at the click of a button. We offer quarterly trainings to help you best use all of that these tools offer. Visit www.jcci.org to learn about Community Snapshot and the Jacksonville community.

Much of the data in this report is obtained from the records and documents of various public and private organizations. An annual opinion survey provides the remaining data. This random telephone survey was conducted for the project each September from 1985 through 1992 by AT&T American Transtech. Beginning in 1993, the survey was conducted by American Public Dialogue. Additional detail and documentation of the methodology used for the project’s processes and data collection are found in the accompanying Reference Document on the JCCI website. For further information about the Quality of Life Progress Report or specific indicators, mail to JCCI, 2434 Atlantic Boulevard, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32207-3564, call (904) 396-3052, e-mail ben@jcci.org, or visit www.jcci.org. The 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report Review Committee was chaired by Rick Cox, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Board member.

Committee members included: Bob Arnold Dawn Lockhart Sarah Boone Derrick Mitchell Karen Bowling Janet Owens Vanessa Boyer Kelly Pourciau Adam Bronstone Jason Rose Shelley Grant Stacey Roussel Page 4

Julia Samms Deborah Saulsbury Ron Townsend Cherrise Wilks Darryl Willie JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


You’ll notice in these pages that indicators feature a gold star or red flag , which the Quality of Life Review Committee assigned. When a trend is disturbing or cause for concern, the committee has assigned a red flag, and when the trend looks like something to celebrate, it has earned a gold star. The graduation rate has been a concern for many years. Now, Jacksonville is turning around its graduation rate crisis. As mentioned in a December 2011 editorial in the Florida Times-Union, the five-year increase in the graduation rate represents real progress: “Duval County has the most difficult graduation requirements in the state. That’s right. Six years ago, the School Board saw what was coming and raised graduation requirements in the key areas of science, math and foreign language. The state finally has caught up, but Duval County was a leader.” Since 2006, Jacksonville has increased its graduation rate by 24 percent. Another major concern for the Jacksonville community has been the murder rate. Five years ago was the tragic summer when eight year-old Dreshawna Davis was murdered by a stray bullet. Jacksonville “If someone tells you that JCCI was spurred into action. As a result, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office asked JCCI to conduct the 2006 Reducing Murder: A Community Response study. The study produced a studies just sit on a shelf, just roadmap for getting Jacksonville out of its shameful place as murder capital of Florida. tell them to talk with the Sheriff. Since 2007, the murder rate has dropped by 35.2 percent. Sheriff John Rutherford These studies work!” often says JCCI contributed to bending the murder rate trend line.

Sheriff John Rutherford An area for Jacksonville to be proud is its focus on early learning in the years before a child will step into a school. For the past three years, Jacksonville has increased the percent of children ready for kindergarten. This is no small feat. It means child care providers, educators, parents, children, teachers, coaches, and social services funders planned together. And their plans worked. On the other hand, measuring who is ready for kindergarten is changing. The new measure says that fewer children are ready (page 7). Here is the challenge ahead—now that the bar is set higher, Jacksonville must hit the mark.

Executive Summary

Jacksonville continues to grow into a vibrant city. The following pages show both the positives and the negatives associated with that growth. The positives should provide the reader with a sense of pride in what the community has accomplished. However, for many readers, the negatives hit them like a ton of bricks—“I didn’t know things were this bad!” If you find yourself feeling this way, then the report has done its work well. The purpose of this report is to prompt you, the reader, into action. JCCI knows from experience that reading these graphs and data points spurs people into action, and we have evidence of positive changes because citizens acted together.

Often in the category of “I didn’t realize things were this bad!” is the river. The St. Johns River shapes Jacksonville—both geographically and in the mind of its residents and tourists. The river shapes our neighborhoods; our travel paths depend on which bridge we want to take. When the National Football League beams images of Jacksonville across the U.S., television viewers see pictures of the river. We know the river is precious—or else we would not have a St. Johns Riverkeeper in Jacksonville. It makes people angry that the tributaries of the River get unhealthier every year. You’ll see more about the current health of Jacksonville’s creeks and streams in this report (page 9). While looking through these pages, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the numbers. Remember that there are people behind these numbers. There were 165,276 individuals and families using Food Stamps in Jacksonville last year. Do you know someone, or have you seen someone buying groceries with Food Stamps? That person was included in the 165,276. On average, 35,500 people ride the bus every week. And yet, during these hard financial times the average weekly miles offered by public transportation has dropped every year for the past four years. In a city that boasts the largest land area in the continental U.S., transportation has become a major barrier for employers, workers, families, schools, youth, and older residents. Why decrease public transportation services now? This report does not answer the “why” questions. However, if you let it, it will lead you to a lot more data, better background information to understand the why, the what, and the who—and if it includes you! At Community Snapshot, JCCI’s online data portal, you can see Jacksonville’s data in context with other Florida counties, and even the nation. So take some time to explore Community Snapshot, which offers 154 trend lines, some with 20+ years of data. All of this is online at www.jcci.org. For example, do you wonder if people are sharing more of their time and treasure after the worst national financial collapse since 1929? Check out the volunteering and philanthropy indicators.

People Behind These Numbers Do you know someone without health insurance? Do you volunteer? Has someone you know been victim of a crime? Did you vote this year?

Finally, think about which indicators you are most interested in right now. Once you find the indicators that are most important to you, call the organizations involved in that issue, or jot down your questions and visit www.jcci.org to submit a topic for further study. After all, you are a steward of Jacksonville’s future. Your focus and action are needed right now. So use this report to keep Jacksonville on the right path. JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

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Regional Demographics

The indicators presented in this report all occur and change within the context of the physical and demographic characteristics of the five counties of the Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns, even the indicators that are specific to Jacksonville/Duval County alone. Geography The Jacksonville MSA covers 3,221 square miles in land area. Besides the oceanfront, the major geographic feature of the area is the St. Johns River and its tributaries, which meander through the region. The waterways provide a rich ecological treasure, an important economic engine, and opportunities for recreation, transportation, and military uses. Climate The MSA’s temperatures range each day in the summer from the 70s (Fahrenheit) to 90s. In the winter, temperature ranges vary from the 60s to 80s on some days to the 20s to 40s on a few days. Average annual precipitation is about 53 inches. African American

Native Hispanic American

Asian

Baker

13.5%

0.5%

1.9%

Clay

9.5%

2.8%

Duval

28.9%

Nassau

White

Other

0.3%

82.4%

1.4%

7.6%

0.4%

77.2%

2.5%

4.1%

6.5%

0.3%

56.6%

2.5%

6.2%

0.8%

3.2%

0.3%

87.9%

1.5%

St. Johns

5.5%

2.0%

5.2%

0.2%

85.3%

1.7%

Total

21.3%

3.4%

6.9%

0.3%

65.8%

2.3%

Education In 2010-11, public-school enrollment in the Jacksonville MSA was 206,619 students, with 5,004 students in Baker County, 35,812 in Clay County, 123,995 in Duval County, 11,100 in Nassau County, and 30,708 in St. Johns County. In the Jacksonville MSA, 84 percent of students attended public school, 13 percent attended private school, and three percent were home schooled. Workforce In December 2010, 587,100 people were working in Northeast Florida. Civilian employment in the Jacksonville MSA’s economy was distributed as follows: 2010 Professional/business services 15% Retail trade 12% Government 14% Education and health services 15% Finance, insurance, and real estate 8% Leisure and hospitality services 12% Manufacturing 5% Construction 5% Transportation, warehousing, and utilities 5% Wholesale trade 5% Information and telecommunications 3% Page 6

2000 1990 16% 9% 12% 14% 12% 15% 11% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 7% 8% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 3% 3%

People The total population of the Jacksonville MSA was 1,345,596 in 2010. By county, population estimates were: Baker 27,115; Clay 190,865; Duval 864,263; Nassau 73,314; and St. Johns 190,039. The racial and ethnic makeup of the region varies by county. The 2010 American Community Survey provided these estimates of the MSA’s population. In 2010, the counties in Jacksonville’s MSA had both a high youth population and a growing elderly population, according to Florida CHARTS: Population under 18

Population 65 and older

Baker

25.9%

11.5%

Clay

25.6%

12.2%

Duval

24.5%

11.5%

Nassau

21.8%

16.6%

St. Johns

20.7%

16.2%

Region Total

24.0%

12.5%

Legend

In this report, the arrows display the trend direction over the previous year (up, down, or unchanged) Red Arrows mean that the trend was in a negative direction. Green Arrows mean that the trend was in a positive direction. Yellow Arrows mean that the trend was unchanged.

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Our Vision for Achieving Educational Excellence:

Education institutions in the region achieve excellence in the delivery of learning opportunities, and citizens achieve educational attainment sufficient to enjoy a high quality of life. Citizens young and old have access to a broad range of learning opportunities in pre-K to 12th grade, higher education, and life-long learning, based on their educational needs and desire to learn.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

School safety incidents have dropped 41 percent in the past three years to the lowest level in 14 years of tracking this indicator. The high school graduation rate increased for the fifth year in a row. For the fourth year in a row results from ECHOS, a measure of kindergarten readiness, have improved.

The number of higher education degrees increased for the tenth year in a row. A clear picture of educational outcomes is difficult because while graduation rates increase, the percent of 10th graders with adequate reading comprehension remains disturbingly low. Additionally, kindergarten readiness assessment tools continue to change, yielding different school readiness outcomes.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Duval Public High School Graduation Rate Previous: Latest:

66.6% 71.2%

Kindergarten Readiness (2 measures) Previous: Latest:

Source: Florida Department of Education

88 % ECHOS 88 % ECHOS

70 % FAIR 71 % FAIR

Source: Florida Department of Education

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

Third Grade

69%

69%

0

0%

Tenth Grade

33%

34%

+1%

3%

Achieving Educational Excellence

Student Outcomes Improve Too Slowly

Reading at Grade Level

Per Pupil Expenditures

$8,682

$8,539

-$89

-1%

Total Annual School Safety Incidents

5,275

4,912

363

-7%

Higher Education Degrees Awarded

9,238

10,906

+1,668

18 %

We are proud to continue to champion the improvements and success of our educational system and remain dedicated to promoting lifetime learning throughout the First Coast. ~ John Hirabayashi, President & CEO JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

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Growing a Vibrant Economy

Impacts of Recession Continue; Financial Stability Emerges in Some Areas Our Vision for Growing a Vibrant Economy:

The regional economy supports a vibrant and diversified mix of economic activities, which combine to provide ample opportunities for productive employment, a strong consumer market, the capacity to fund needed public services, and a high standard of living that is shared widely among all citizens.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

The three-year trend of losing jobs has ended, as nearly 4,000 more persons were employed in 2010 compared to 2009. The percent of cost-burdened households, a measurement of financial strain on families, remains steady despite a 12 percent unemployment rate.

The surge in unemployment over the past four years coupled with the three-year decline in per capita income indicate that individuals and families continue to struggle to find work and maintain financial stability. The rate of unemployment climbed to three times the rate in 2005 and twice the rate of 1991, the year of the last major recession.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Total Employment & Unemployment Rates

Duval County Per Capita Income Previous: Latest:

2009 Employed 436,817 Unemployment 10.7% 2010 Employed 440,425 Unemployment 12.0%

$40,615 $39,602

$45,000 $40,000 $35,000 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 Inflation-Adjusted

$10,000 $5,000

Actual $$

$-

Source: Florida Dept. of Economic Opportunity

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

27.3%

26.9%

-0.4%

- 1.5%

Households Paying More than 30 Percent of Income for Housing

42%

42%

0%

0%

JAXPORT Tonnage (millions)

8.0

8.1

+ 0.1

1.3 %

$111.9

$114.5

+ $2.6

2.3 %

Adults with Bachelors Degrees or Higher (MSA)

Retail Sales (by Sales Tax Collections) (millions)

Lazzara Family Foundation

Page 8

Difference % Change

The success of our local economy is essential to Jacksonville’s citizens and the key to enhancing our quality of life. ~ Irene and Gaspar Lazzara JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Our Vision for Preserving the Natural Environment:

The resources of the region’s natural environment positively enhance the quality of life of citizens, and air, water, and ground pollution is kept below levels harmful to ecosystems, human health, or the quality of life. The built environment is developed in ways that preserve natural ecosystems and is maintained in ways that enhance natural beauty and visual aesthetics.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

Air quality decreased, although its five-year trend is moving in a positive direction. We continue to see incremental increases in land set aside for future generations to enjoy as parks or for conservation.

The St. Johns River tributaries are becoming less safe for humans as well as plants and wildlife. More than one-third of tributaries are polluted with fecal-coliform bacteria, which is particularly disturbing. Nearly half of tributaries fail to meet standards for dissolved oxygen, tipping the balance of plant and wildlife growth in creeks and streams.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Days Duval County Air Quality is “Good” Previous: Latest:

Average Duval County Daily Water Use

335 318

Previous: Latest:

Source: City of Jacksonville, Air and Water Quality Division

181 Gallons 195 Gallons

Source: JEA

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

Dissolved Oxygen (fertilizer runoff and algae growth)

69%

54%

- 15%

- 21.7%

Fecal-Coliform Bacteria (human & animal waste)

73%

65%

- 8%

- 11.0 %

Tributary Compliance with Water Quality Standards

Residential Recycling (pounds per person)

56

57

+1

1.8%

Acres of Conservation/Preservation Land

84,779

84,781

+2

0%

Preserving the Natural Environment

St. Johns River Tributaries in Jeopardy

Conserving natural resources and supporting a transition to a sustainable environment are imperative in maintaining our natural treasures for our future generations. ~ Kelly Madden, North Florida Wholesale Regional President JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

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Promoting Social Wellbeing

Homelessness Increases; Residents Continue to Give Time and Money Our Vision for Promoting Social Wellbeing and Harmony:

Social-service institutions in the region provide services with excellence to those in need, citizens and institutions support philanthropy and volunteerism to meet community needs, and citizens share social interactions characterized by equality of opportunity and racial harmony.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

Despite financial instability, residents continue to share their time and money through volunteering and charitable giving. Race relations appear to be improving as perceptions of the problem have decreased. The rate of births to teens continues to drop, and is at its lowest rate since the indicator’s tracking began.

The dramatic increase in homelessness suggests Jacksonville is not able to help its struggling individuals and families. The social services sector, which is anchored by nonprofit organizations, prevents homelessness through a wide range of supports. Financial support for nonprofits appears to be increasing at a slower rate as compared to rates of homelessness.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Survey: Is Racism a Problem in Duval County? Previous: Yes 53 % Latest: Yes 49%

Births to:

Single Mothers Mothers with no HS Diploma Teen Mothers

Source: American Public Dialogue

Previous 48.1 % 17.0 % 3.0 %

Latest 47.6% 16.7 % 2.7 %

Source: Florida Department of Health

Supporting Indicators Percent of People Who Volunteer

Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

65%

68%

+ 3%

4.6 %

Foster Children per 1,000 children

3.7

4.1

+ 0.4 %

10.8 %

Homeless Survey Count per 100,000 people

452

524

+ 72

15.9 %

$ 26.0

$ 26.3

+ $0.3

1.1 %

Philanthropic Giving to Federated Campaigns (millions)

Bridging cultural differences and strengthening personal relationships is central to our commitment to the social wellbeing of Jacksonville’s citizens. ~ Sherry Magill, President Page 10

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Our Vision for Enjoying Arts, Recreation, and Culture:

Citizens desire, support, have access to, and actively patronize a great diversity of opportunities in the region for cultural and artistic enrichment and for recreational, leisure, and entertainment activities.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

Residents are attending more public performances and events for the first time since 2006. In addition, attendance at sporting events, the zoo, and musical performances increased.

Financial support for arts and recreation continues to decline. For the third year in a row, combined public and private support of the arts declined. Per capita funding for recreation activities and maintenance dropped to the lowest levels recorded in more than 20 years. Although not a substantial decline, library circulation decreased for the second year.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Public and Private Support for the Arts Previous: Latest:

Public Performances and Events Previous: Latest:

$32.57 per person $30.45 per person

Source: Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville

Supporting Indicators

436 535

Source: Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Entertainment; Florida Theatre; SMG

Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

Recreation Funding per Person

$17.43

$15.79

- $1.64

- 9.4%

Attendance at Sporting Events (per 1,000 people)

1,298

1,418

+120

9.2%

Museums

382

363

- 19

- 5.0%

Musical Performances

205

235

+ 30

14.6%

Attendance at Cultural Activities (per 1,000 people)

Zoo Library Circulation per Person

788

797

+9

1.1%

10.7

10.5

- 0.2

- 1.9%

Enjoying Arts, Recreation & Culture

Increased Participation Despite Fewer Financial Resources

The quality of Jacksonville’s arts, culture and recreational opportunities enhance citizens’ lives and impact our community’s ability to grow and thrive. ~ David Balz, Senior Vice President JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

Page 11


Sustaining a Healthy Community

Real Improvements and One Disturbing Condition Our Vision for Sustaining a Healthy Community:

Health-care institutions in the region provide medical and preventive health-care services with excellence, all citizens have access to these services, regardless of financial means, and citizens generally experience a high level of physical and mental health.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

The number of new HIV cases decreased by nearly onethird. Efforts from all sectors of the community have brought about a break in a four-year trend of increasing numbers. Suicide, an indicator of overall mental health, is trending positively for youth and seniors. Seniors, whose rates are higher than other age groups, show an 11 percent decrease.

Sexually transmitted disease rates climbed by nine percent. In looking at the past 20 years, the overall trend has been increasing, which is a problem for the community. These otherwise avoidable infectious diseases continue to threaten pregnancies and health.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Infant Mortality Rates Previous: Latest:

Black Black

13.6 11.7

People Without Health Insurance - Duval

White 5.5 White 5.8

Previous: Latest:

Source: Florida Department of Health

Supporting Indicators Cancer Death Rate per 100,000 people New HIV Cases White Black

17.2 % 17.3 %

Source: American Community Survey

Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

189.3

186.4

- 2.9

- 1.5 %

434

298

- 136

- 31.3%

91

60

- 31

- 34.0%

313

211

- 102

- 32.5 %

STD Rate per 100,000 people

815.5

889.2

+ 73.7

9.0 %

Suicide Rates per 100,000 people

16.0

12.1

- 3.9

- 24.4%

Seniors (65 and over)

17.6

15.6

- 2.0

- 11.3%

Youth (10 - 19)

2.5

0.9

- 1.4

- 56.0 %

The health of all of Jacksonvnille’s citizens is a key indicator of our quality of life. We must continue to provide excellent, compassionate health care to all of our residents. ~Moody Chisholm, President & CEO Page 12

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Our Vision for Preserving the Natural Environment:

Local governmental bodies in the region are led by competent, representative, and responsive elected and appointed officials. They provide equitably to citizens, and citizens are well informed about public affairs and actively participate in civic activities.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

The percent of residents who say they have moderate or great influence on local government increased. The city has more leaders who are female and more leaders of color. The 2011 local election included an exciting mayoral race, and a higher percent of voters participated compared to the 2007 local election.

Exercising the right to vote starts with registration and keeping that registration current. The percent of citizens registered to vote in the 2011 election, which included the mayoral race, declined. Less than half of residents say that the quality of their elected leadership is either “good” or “excellent.”

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Voter Turnout for Local Elections 2007 2011

Satisfaction with Elected Leadership

19 % 37 %

Previous: Latest:

Source: Supervisor of Elections

32% 46 %

Source: American Public Dialogue

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

Elected Officials: People of Color

21%

24%

+ 3%

14.3 %

Elected Officials: Women

19%

21%

+ 2%

10.5 %

Diverse and Representative Government

Neighborhood Organizations

602

596

-6

- 1.0 %

Survey: Can you influence government?

24%

32%

+ 8%

33.3 %

Voter Registration

81%

79%

- 2%

- 2.5 %

Maintaining a Responsive Government

Voting Remains Low Although Civic Engagement is Steady

Our community’s vision must be one of well-informed and actively participating residents, along with a government that effectively serves the needs of its constituents. ~ Charles Hood, Vice President, Public Affairs JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

Page 13


Moving Around Efficiently & Safely

Affordable Transportation Decreases When Needed Most Our Vision for Moving Around Efficiently and Safely:

Citizens in the region have access to affordable, convenient, and accessible transportation services with the capacity to convey them around the community and around the world to their chosen destinations at their chosen times.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

The two-year trend of fewer airport users ended this year, and cyclists are safer than last year. For the fourth year in a row, the motor vehicle accidents per 1,000 people decreased.

Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental U.S. when it comes to land area. The drop in JTA miles of service is disturbing. At the same time that the community is struggling with the effects of the worst financial collapse in recent memory, the working poor struggle with decreased capacity for affordable transportation.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

Commute Times of 25 Minutes or Less Previous: Latest: 100%

Duval Weekly Bus Ridership (% of population) Previous: Latest:

68% 65%

35,068 35,484

3.8% 4.1%

16 to 25 min. 0 to 15 min.

80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

Source: American Public Dialogue

Source: Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

Airport Passengers (millions)

5.6

5.6

0

0

Serious Bicycle Accidents per 100,000 people

25.4

23.1

- 2.3

- 9.0 %

29,632

27,697

-1,935

- 0.7 %

16.4

15.5

- 0.9

- 5.5 %

JTA Miles of Service Motor Vehicle Accidents per 1,000 people

Difference % Change

As Jacksonville continues to focus on smart growth and our expanding role as a regional, national and worldwide logistics hub, building and maintaining efficient transportation is critical. ~ Douglas H. Shaver, Shareholder Page 14

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Our Vision for Keeping the Community Safe:

Public-safety agencies in the region provide rescue, fire, and law-enforcement services with excellence, and citizens generally experience a low level of crime and a high level of personal safety.

How Are We Doing?

Needs Improvement:

Good News:

Both key indicators as well as three supporting indicators moved in a positive direction. Indicators of feeling safe and reported crimes are both improving, suggesting that Jacksonville is safer than in previous years. The murder rate continues to decline and in 2010 reached the lowest rate since JCCI began tracking it.

The positive trends in violent and non-violent crime might hide realities of families living with financial and emotional strains. Family instability has real effects on children. Verified child abuse and neglect reports are worsening, suggesting children are not as safe as in previous years.

Key Indicators

More details on these and other indicators can be found at www.jcci.org.

People Feel Safe in their Neighborhood Previous: Latest:

Index Crime Rate

62% 61%

Source: American Public Dialogue

Previous: Latest:

5,814 5,106

Keeping the Community Safe

Crime Overall Decreases, Yet Youngest Residents Are Not Safer

Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Supporting Indicators Previous

Latest

Difference % Change

People Reporting Being Victims of Crime

20 %

16 %

-4%

- 20.0%

Youth Adjudicated Delinquent per 1,000

5.7

5.1

- 0.6

- 10.5%

Murder Rate per 100,000

11.2

9.4

- 2.2

- 19.6%

Verified Child Abuse Reports per 1,000

6.7

8.6

+ 1.9

28.3%

We are committed to ensuring residents have peace of mind that their neighborhoods, workplaces, streets and schools are safe, and their families remain secure. ~ Michael Ward, Chairman, President & CEO JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

Page 15


2011 Indicator Index

The Quality of Life Prog Indicator (Year)

Data Trend

Data Trend

Preserving the Natural Environment

Achieving Educational Excellence

Key Indicators:

Key Indicators:

Days the Air Quality Index is “good” (2010)

318

Average daily water consumption (gallons) (2010)

195

Public high school graduation rate (2010-11)

71.2%

Kindergarten readiness (2010-11)

88.2%

Third graders reading at grade level (2010-11)

69%

Streams meeting dissolved oxygen standard (2010)

54%

Tenth graders reading at grade level (2010-11)

34%

Streams meeting bacteria standard (2010)

65%

Per pupil expenditures (2010-11)

$8,539

Residential recycling (pounds per person) (2010)

57

Total annual school safety incidents (2010-11)

4,912

Acres of conservation/preservation land (2010)

84,781

Higher education degrees awarded (2010-11)

10,906

Additional Indicators:

Supporting Indicators:

Additional Indicators:

Supporting Indicators:

Gallons of motor fuels sold per person (2010)

591

New septic-tank permits issued (2010)

183

Students absent 21+ days (2009-10)

6.9%

Public school first grade promotions (2009-10)

93.6%

Tenth graders at grade level in math (2010-11)

66%

Public high school dropout rate (2010-11)

2.3%

Key Indicators:

HS graduates ready for college: Reading (2009-10)

75.6%

Is racism a local problem? (2011)

49%

HS graduates ready for college: Math (2009-10)

67.6%

Births to single mothers (2010)

47.6%

Satisfaction with public education (2011)

26%

Birth to mothers without high school degree (2010)

16.7%

Exceptional students receive diplomas (2009-10)

35%

Births to teen mothers (2010)

2.7%

Key Indicators:

Total employment (2010)

440,425

Unemployment rate (2010)

12.0%

Per capita income (2009)

$39,602

Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher (2010)

24.9%

Households paying >30% for housing (2010)

42%

JAXPORT tonnage (millions) (2011)

8.1

Sales tax collections (millions) (2010)

$114.5

Supporting Indicators:

Promoting Social Wellbeing and Harmony

Supporting Indicators:

Growing a Vibrant Economy

Additional Indicators: Total taxable value of real property (2010)

$54.28

Recipients of public assistance: TANF (2011)

6,439

Recipients of public assistance: Food Stamps (2011) 165,276

Page 16

Indicator (Year)

Average monthly JEA utilities costs (2010)

$186.27

New housing starts (2010)

1,500

Average annual wage (2010)

$45,096

Unemployment benefit claims (2010)

68,043

Downtown residents (2010)

3,097

Do you volunteer? (2011)

68%

Foster children per 1,000 children (2011)

4.1

Homeless count per 100,000 people (2011)

524

Philanthropic giving to federated campaigns (2010)

$26.3

Additional Indicators: Have you personally experienced racism? (2011)

22%

Volunteer more than 7 hours per week? (2011)

19%

Births to teen mothers per 1,000 teens (2010)

7.2

Subsequent births to teen mothers (2010)

19.3%

Children of divorcing parents (2010)

2,990

Foster care children reunited <12 months (2011)

77.2%

Foster care children adopted < 24 months (2011)

51.7%

Enjoying Arts, Recreation, and Culture Key Indicators:

Public and private arts support per person (2010)

$30.45

Public performances and events (2010)

535

Supporting Indicators: Park expenditures for activities/maintenance (2010) $15.79 Attendance at sports events per 100,000 (2010)

1,418

Museum attendance per 1,000 people (2010)

363

Musical performances attendance per 1,000 (2010)

235

Zoo attendance per 1,000 people (2010)

797

Library circulation per person (2010)

10.51

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Indicator (Year)

Data Trend

Indicator (Year)

Data

Sustaining a Healthy Community

Moving Around Efficiently and Safely

Key Indicators:

Key Indicators:

Infant mortality rate per 1,000 (2010)

Commute times of 25 minutes or less (2011)

65%

Duval weekly bus ridership (% of pop.) (2010)

4.1%

White (2010)

5.8

Black (2010)

11.7

Supporting Indicators:

17%

Total JIA passengers (millions) (2010)

5.6

Serious bicycle accidents per 100,000 (2010)

23.1

Average weekday miles of JTA bus service (2010)

27,697

Motor vehicle accidents per 1,000 people (2010)

15.5

People without Health Insurance (2010)

Supporting Indicators: Cancer deaths per 100,000 people (2010)

186.4

New HIV Cases (2010)

298

Trend

White (2010)

60

Additional Indicators:

Black (2010)

211

JTA bus headways within 30/60 minutes (2010)

46% /96%

889.2

Average weekday Skyway ridership (2010)

1,845

12.1

Nonstop flight destinations at JIA (2010)

26

Seniors (65 and older) (2010)

15.6

10,435

Youth (10-19) (2010)

0.9

Average available seats on airplane flights (2011)

STD reports per 100,000 people (2010) Suicide rates per 100,000 people (2010)

Additional Indicators: Early prenatal care (2010)

72.9%

Newborns with healthy birthweight (2010)

90.7%

Seniors feel safe in their neighborhoods (2011)

48%

HIV/AIDS related deaths per 100,000 people (2010) 6.4 Packs of cigarettes sold per person (2011)

58

Lung cancer deaths per 100,000 people (2010)

55.4

Heart disease deaths per 100,000 people (2010)

177.3

Local health care seen as good or excellent (2011)

77%

Maintaining Responsive Government Key Indicators:

Keeping the Community Safe Key Indicators:

People feel safe in their neighborhood (2011)

61%

Index crimes per 100,000 people (2010)

5,106

Supporting Indicators: People report being victims of a crime (2011)

16%

Youth Adjudicated Deliquent per 1,000 (2010)

5.1

Murder rate (2010)

9.4

Verified child abuse reports per 1,000 (2010)

8.6

Additional Indicators: Police-call response times (2010)

7.48

Rescue-call response times < four minutes (2010)

37% 36%

Voter Turnout (2011)

37.1%

Fire-call response times < four minutes (2010)

Satisfaction with elected leadership (2011)

46%

Juvenile alcohol/drug arrests per 1,000 youth (2010) 4.5

Supporting Indicators:

Domestic violence crime reports (2010)

7,798

Racial diversity of elected officials (2011)

24%

Domestic violence related homicides (2010)

5

Gender diversity of elected officials (2011)

21%

Violent deaths per 10,000 youth (2010)

2.5

Neighborhood organizations (2011)

596

Survey: Can you influence local government (2011)

32%

Voter registration (2011)

78.6%

Additional Indicators: Keeping up with local government news (2011)

55%

Satisfaction with public-safety services (2011)

88%

Can you name two City Council members? (2011)

19%

Satisfaction with basic city services (2011)

83%

School Board leadership rated high quality (2011)

20%

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

2011 Indicator Index

ress Report at a Glance

Legend The arrows display the trend direction over the previous year (up, down, or unchanged) Red Arrows mean that the trend was in a negative direction. Green Arrows mean that the trend was in a positive direction. Yellow Arrows mean that the trend was unchanged.

Page 17


About JCCI

2011-12 JCCI Board of Directors Board of Directors President John Hirabayashi

Christine Arab

Jennifer Mansfield

Jennifer Chapman

Juliette Mason

Jarik Conrad

Maxine McBride

Rena Coughlin

David Meyer

Immediate Past President William C. Mason

Micheal Edwards

Stephen Pollan

Rocelia Gonzalez

Kelly Pourciau

Standing Committee Chairs Lee R. Brown III Matthew Kane Jeanne M. Miller Derrick Smith

Broderick Green

Douglas H. Shaver

Matthew Kane

James Stevenson

Joshua B. Lief

Susan B. Towler

President-Elect JF Bryan IV Secretary/Treasurer Crystal Jones

David Mann

JCCI Staff Tonia Eastman Program Planner Ben Warner President & CEO Laura Lane Vice President & COO

Steve Rankin Director of Implementations & Special Projects

Amanda Gazaleh Communications & JCCI Forward Coordinator

Michelle Simkulet Director of JCCI Forward & CFO

Demetrius Jenkins Data, Information & Systems Coordinator

Molly Wahl Director of Development & Community Outreach

Jacksonville Community Council Inc. (JCCI) was created in 1975 with the goal of improving the quality of life in Jacksonville through informed citizen participation in public affairs. JCCI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, broadbased civic organization. It involves citizens in community issues through open dialogue, impartial research, consensus building, and leadership development. Every day, JCCI is driven by the bold idea that together we can build a better community. We bring people together to learn about our community, engage in problem solving, and act to make positive change. JCCI receives funding from United Way of Northeast Florida, grants, corporations, and individual members. JCCI membership is open to all interested in building a better community. For more information about JCCI and how you can get involved or to make a contribution to continue the bold work JCCI takes on, please visit www.jcci.org. Page 18

JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report


Vision The JCCI Model for Community Change begins with working with the community to understand and articulate a shared vision for the future, based on the values and priorities of the people who live, work, and play in the area. Model for Community Change Change must be driven by a vision of both what needs to improve and what needs to be preserved; the vision serves as a destination for the road map to follow. Knowledge The vision provides a destination, but no more. Each year, JCCI engages community members to develop and review community indicators. Community indicators are a set of data or information that provide insight into the trends in a community over time. Together, the collection of community indicators tells the story about where a community is in relation to its vision and the direction in which the community is heading. We provide this story in three distinct ways, our annually published Quality of Life Progress Report, the Race Relations Progress Report, and our continually-updated Community Snapshot on our website. Planning With the knowledge we gain from community indicators, we can determine our priorities for action. The indicators by themselves don’t tell us what to do; they are merely descriptive. JCCI, along with other community organizations, uses our indicators to inform planning processes. Our community studies provide forums to determine how we as a community need to move forward, addressing issues identified by the indicators where we have fallen short of our vision. The community study process engages community members to develop solutions, by consensus, to get us moving in the right direction.

Our Model In Action at JCCI

Action The recommendations from our studies are effective

because of the volunteers who work tirelessly to turn reports into action through our advocacy and implementation process. JCCI reports never stay on a shelf. Instead, our volunteers use them to advocate to civic institutions to implement changes. Because of this action component, JCCI is often described as where to go to learn, engage, and act to make a better community.

Results The volunteers’ actions and advocacy get results. Recommendations are implemented. Policies change. Programs develop and respond. But that is not enough. JCCI monitors the results and outcomes of its study and implementation efforts and assesses results. Beyond those reports, however, we are interested in lasting, sustainable community change. The community indicators reports serve as the final piece in the community change model, keeping us focused on measuring progress toward the vision. They serve as the ultimate evaluation tool to ensure that our efforts are making a real difference for the community. You can read the assessments in the final implementation reports of all 71 JCCI community studies on our website.

JCCI Model for Community Change

We are often asked why JCCI is so successful in creating positive change in Northeast Florida. You may recall that we were designated one of 19 “Solutions for America” after a three-year study of our process and results by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. We reply that our results come from two critical factors: first, the wonderful volunteers without whom we could not exist; and second, the process we follow, built around a research-tested Model for Community Change.

We are pleased to have served Jacksonville for the last 36 years, and we look forward to many more years of making lasting change. For more information about how JCCI works with volunteers to change our community, and how you can be a part of that process, visit our web site at www.jcci.org. JCCI 2011 Quality of Life Progress Report

Page 19


Title Sponsor

Champions

Lazzara Family Foundation

American Public Dialogue

Primary funding for this report was provided by United Way of Northeast Florida, with the generous support of our Title Sponsor, Champions, survey partners, and the Northeast Florida community.


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