Osceola County, Florida Report Card by New Eden Graphics

VOLUME 7

FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Presented by: ™

Bringing people and resources together to achieve the community’s vision. WWW.COMMUNITYVISION.ORG

The Community Report Card is a project of the Community Vision Volunteer Assessment Team. The purpose of this publication is to provide residents with data related to key citizen priorities and action plans. The data presented throughout this document offer quantitative measures of the quality of life in Osceola County. With a great deal of diligence, the Assessment Team sought to identify indicators that would be measurable over time. The indicators selected for inclusion offer the reader an overview of the current status of the county and highlight progress toward community improvements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Aging Population>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3 Economic Health and Development> >>>>>>> 4 Education> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 6 Growth Factors> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10 Health and Well Being> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 13 Natural Environment> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20 Safe Homes and Neighborhoods> >>>>>>>>> 24 Social Services> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 27 Tourism>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 29 Transportation>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 30

Community Vision Staff Donna Sines, Executive Director Sue Ring, Office and Program Manager Susan Crutchfield, Youth Projects Director Kelly Bender, Project Coordinator Ann Marie Jones, Evaluation Associate Mayra Berry, Administrative Assistant 704 Generation Point, #101, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Ph: 407-933-0870 Fax: 407-933-0942 WWW.COMMUNITYVISION.ORG

Special thanks to: The Community Vision Volunteer Assessment Team and other Experts who secured and/or reviewed data. Atlee Mercer, Chairman Sherry Burroughs Cheryl Carpenter Carmen Carrasquillo Patty Chambers Lania Crouch Keith Daly Therry Feroldi Eleanor Foerste Patsy Heffner Beverly Hougland Miriam Jbara Twis Lizasuain Patty McWhirter Christina Morris Emilie Peck Vasheti Quiros Danicka Ransom Debbie Rogers Dana Schafer Katrina Scarborough Jim Shanks Jessica Sullivan Susan Sunka Nan Sword Margie Torres Alex Trauger Tara Urbanik Angee Vega Bruce E. Vickers

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SENIOR CITIZENS AGING POPULATION Many elderly or disabled persons hesitate to receive in-patient medical services for fear that their pet will not have daily care. The Osceola Council on Aging created Jimmy’s Place so they can avoid this dilemma. In memory of long-time volunteer Jim Scarborough, the Council opened a pet shelter that provides boarding for the pets of elderly and disabled persons while their owners are hospitalized or in rehabilitation. Funding for Jimmy’s Place was provided by the Banfield Charitable Trust, PETCO, SPCA of Central Florida, Eagle Scout Troop 826 and the Family of Pat Scarborough.

Elderly Residents

According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the current population of seniors age 60 and over in Osceola County is 42,613 equal to 15% of the total population. The population of Floridians ages 60 and older is expected to increase more than 50% between 2000 and 2015. During this same time frame, Osceola County’s population of residents ages 60+ is expected to grow nearly 99%. Even more staggering is the projection that the number of county residents in the 85+ category will grow by 110% by the year 2015.

Source(s): Florida Department of Elder Affairs 2009 County Profile

Disability Status

Over 30% of Osceola’s elderly residents suffer from at least one disability (sensory, physical, or mental) that often produces limitations with regard to self-care and mobility. Another 9% of local seniors have or are believed to be afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Source(s): Florida Department of Elder Affairs 2009 County Profile

Facilities for Seniors

The following senior facilities currently operate in Osceola County: • • • •

15 Assisted Living Facilities 9 Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities 11 Home Health Agencies 4 Hospice Agencies

• 3 Adult Family Care Homes • 2 Adult Day Care Facilities • 2 Senior Centers (one in St. Cloud, and one in Kissimmee)

Source(s): Osceola Council on Aging; Florida Department of Elder Affairs 2009 County Profile

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EMPLOYMENT STATUS ECONOMIC HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT Osceola County is thinking big with a pro-business outlook and a welcoming attitude when it comes to the state’s “innovation economy.” Research into clean energy and the life sciences are just two areas where Osceola anticipates huge growth in the near future. In late 2010, the County and its partners – the University of Central Florida, the City of Kissimmee and the City of St. Cloud broke ground on new incubators: one located in downtown Kissimmee and the other at Steven’s Plantation in St. Cloud. These incubators will aid the development of new business ventures, especially by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance, or shared services.

Annual Unemployment Averages

Labor force is defined as the total of employed and unemployed persons. The unemployment rate, therefore, is the percent of persons unemployed compared to the total labor force.

Source(s): Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation – Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program

Unemployment Rates

The unemployment rate is the percent of persons unemployed compared to the total labor force.

Source(s): Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation – Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program

Business License Activity

Osceola County’s business growth showed healthy gains during the last several years. However, Active Business Licenses declined 10% for the year 2008. The current downturn in the economy is clearly reflected in this indicator.

Source(s): Osceola County Tax Collector Business License Records

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ECONOMIC HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT

GROWING A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY Household Income

This table represents the total number of households in specified household income ranges. A household consists of all the people occupying a single housing unit under the 2000 Census rules. A housing unit is defined as a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied. In addition, the members of a household need not be related, and a single person living alone in a housing unit is also considered a household. The 2014 projection shows the largest expected gains for households within the $20,000 - $49,999 income bracket. Source(s): SRC, LLC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DemographicsNow.com

Average Wage Per Job

These figures represent the approximated average earnings of all jobs in a given county. Figures based off of these averages are the ones used by OTTED and Enterprise Florida, Inc. to determine incentive qualification.

Source(s): Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Office of Workforce Information Services

Earned Income by Industry

Earned Income is the income received by a business for providing goods and services.

Source - U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis

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STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE EDUCATION The Osceola School District greatly expanded the number of high school academies offered to students. The academies are part of the district’s Career and Technical Education programs, which provide students technology training that incorporates the career skills that are in demand in our society. They also promote literacy and academic advancement, provide job training and employer partnerships, and improve the employability potential of each student. Currently there are over 2,700 students enrolled in career academies in the district, compared to 79 during the 2008/2009 school year.

Student Enrollment

The total number of students enrolled in the Osceola County School District were 51,646 and 51,594 for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, respectively. These counts reflect the student populations in all schools (traditional and charter), all grade levels (Prek-12), and all programs.

Source(s): Information from Research, Evaluation and Accountability Department http://www.osceola.k12.fl.us/depts/Finance/FTE/Enrollment.asp

Student Performance ACT and SAT Scores

Both the SAT and ACT Tests are widely used for college placement and admission purposes. The latest information released by College Board shows that more Osceola students are taking and scoring at higher levels on college entrance exams than in the past. • Osceola’s public school class of 2009 saw a nine point increase in the mean SAT score over the class of 2008. • The number of SAT test-takers in Osceola increased 29% from 2005 to 2009. o The number of African- American SAT test-takers in Osceola increased 78.6% during this same time period. o The number of Hispanic SAT test-takers in Osceola increased 70.7% during this same time period.

Source(s): Osceola School District’s Research, Evaluation, and Accountability Department, College Board

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EDUCATION

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE Class Size

The maximum number of students in core-curricula courses assigned to a teacher. Section 1 of Article IX of the State Constitution was amended in November 2002 establishing the maximum number of students in core-curricula courses assigned to a teacher in each of the following three grade groups: PreK-Grade 3: 18 Grade 4-8: 22 Grade 9-12: 25

Graduation Rate

The percentage of students who have graduated within four years of entering ninth grade for the first time.

Source(s): Florida Department of Education http: www.fldoe.org/classsize/csavg.asp

Osceola School District’s graduation rate improved from 67.5% in 2007/2008 to 79.2% for the 2008/2009 school year. This calculation includes all diploma recipients such as standard and special diplomas, as well as regular and adult GEDs. Osceola County now has a higher graduation rate than the state average of 78.6%. The state’s graduation rate increased 3.2%, while Osceola School District’s rate increased by 11.7%.

Disciplinary Actions

According to the latest School Environmental Safety Incident Report released by the Florida Department of Education, the Osceola County School District continues to be well below the state average in the number of incidents of crime, violence, and disruptive behaviors taking place on campuses. Osceola County currently ranks fifth out of all 67 counties in Florida for the fewest incidents on its campuses.

* The percentages include all diploma recipients such as standard and special diplomas, as well as regular and adult GEDs. Source(s): Florida Schools Indicator Report – DOE Web site: http://data.fldoe.org/fsir/

Dropout Rate

The dropout rate percentage is calculated by dividing (a) the number of students in Grades 9-12 for whom a dropout withdrawal reason was reported by (b) the year’s total enrollment for Grades 9-12.

Source (s): Florida Schools Indicator Report – DOE Web site: http://www.fldoe.org/eias/eiaspubs/fsir.asp Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Student Services

Source(s): Florida Schools Indicator Report – DOE Web site: http://data.fldoe.org/fsir/

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EDUCATION

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE School Grades

In 2009, • 81% of schools in Osceola County are “A” or “B.” This surpasses the state’s average of 78% for “A” and “B” schools. • The district dramatically reduced the number of “C” and “D” schools by 31% as compared to last year. • The state’s percentage of schools achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status decreased from 24% to 23%. Osceola increased from 4% of schools achieving AYP status to 20%. • The district’s overall grade is a “B”, increasing within 11 points of an “A.” • Over half of Osceola schools are “A” graded, and 81% of Osceola schools are “A” or “B” graded.

Source(s): Osceola School District’s Research, Evaluation, and Accountability Department

Administrative Expenditures

This information details how much money the school district puts into direct classroom instruction vs administration and support costs. The dollar amounts spent per student reflect funds spent directly on school administration and district support functions. The Osceola School District had the second best administrative expenditures per student in the state in a recent summary of the 2007-2008 school year as part of the Educational Funding Accountability Act. In 2007/2008, Osceola had the lowest administrative expenditures of any school district in Central Florida.

Source(s): Florida Department of Education – Educational Funding Accountability Act

Racial/Ethnic Composition of Students

Percentage to the nearest tenth of a percent, of the six ethnic categories. This information shows the racial/ethnic breakdown of students within the Osceola County School District.

Source(s): http://www.osceola.k12.fl.us/depts/ResearchEvalAcct/RacialEthnicBreakdown

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EDUCATION

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE Child Care Costs and Programs

The School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs prepare children to become ready for school and ready for life. Both programs offer developmentally appropriate curriculum with a character development component that is designed to meet Florida’s early learning performance standards. Manageable class sizes, program accountability, required teacher credentials, and a wide variety of early learning settings for parents to choose from make early learning a strong option for working parents. The School Readiness program offers financial assistance to income eligible families with children ages birth through five while the Voluntary Prekindergarten program is FREE for all four-year-olds who reside in Florida. For more information about the School Readiness or VPK program, call the Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County at (407) 933-5353. Source(s): Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County, CCR&R and EFS Data Systems

Free/Reduced Price School Lunches

The percentage of students eligible for free or reducedprice lunch.

Source(s): SDOC Food Services Dept.

Homeless Students

During the 2008/2009 student year, there were 1,251 homeless students enrolled in the Osceola County School District. In 2009/2010, the number reduced to 1,078. “Homeless” is defined as students who are residing in hotels, motels, campgrounds, cars, parks, emergency or transitional shelters, are “doubled up” with friends or family, or are awaiting foster care placement.

Source(s): Osceola School District Special Programs

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CHARTING OUR COMMUNITY’S FUTURE GROWTH FACTORS The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) area is the area in the County where new houses, businesses, stores, schools and parks will be built over the next twenty years. It takes in almost 20% of the county and includes the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud and the communities of Celebration, Poinciana, Harmony, Intercession City and the areas in between. The UGB is not intended to stop growth; rather, the County will use it to provide a distinct separation between urban and rural activities so both can successfully continue.

Population Density

The population density of Osceola County is lower than that of nearby counties and the state of Florida. While certain portions of the county have experienced a sizeable increase in density, approximately ¾ of the county is expected to retain its historic rural character.

Source(s): U.S. Bureau of Census information provided by the Bureau of Economic & Business Research, University of Florida

Population Estimates of Osceola County From 2000 to 2008 Osceola County’s population has increased by 58.7%.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Census information provided by the Bureau of Economic & Business Research, University of Florida

Voter Registration by Participation

In 2009, 29% of registered voters were Republicans, while 44% were registered Democrats. An additional 22% were not registered with a particular party and the remaining 5% were classified as “other”. Data provided has been taken from September and October of the given years. * No Party Affliation

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Source(s): Osceola County Supervisor of Elections

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GROWTH FACTORS

CHARTING OUR COMMUNITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FUTURE Fair Market Value by Type of Use

Following a rapid rise in fair market value, residential property in Osceola County decreased from 2007 to 2008. This decline continued for most property types from 2008 to 2009 with the total taxable value for Osceola County returning to less than what the total taxable value was for 2006.

Source(s): Osceola County Property Appraiser

Fair Market Rent History

Housing and Urban Development publishes Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually for each region. The data is primarily used to determine initial or renewal rents for rental housing programs. Fair Market Rents are gross rent estimates that include shelter rent plus tenant-paid utilities except telephone calls and internet based on unit size. Orange and Osceola Fair Market rents are considered part of a metropolitan service area (MSA) so one rate is estimated for Orange, Osceola, and Brevard and Polk Counties.

Source(s): HUD data/ Florida Housing Date Clearing/ Shimberg Center for Affordability Housing

Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy

Tracking the number of building permits and Certificates of Occupancy (Cos) issued each year provides a snapshot of the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic activity. Our local economy and future tax base are both dependent on new construction. Building permits serve as an indicator of new construction and renovations to existing structures. Issuance of a CO generally indicates the completion of a new construction project. It is evident that construction within the city limits of Kissimmee and St. Cloud as well as the County has slowed dramatically due to the continued economic downturn.

Source(s): Osceola County, City of St. Cloud & City of Kissimmee (compiled by the Osceola County Property Appraiser)

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GROWTH FACTORS

CHARTING OUR COMMUNITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FUTURE Housing Affordability

The Housing Affordability Index indicates the cost of homeownership. Three factors are considered: Household income, housing median prices, and mortgage rates (30-year). An index of 100 indicates that a median income household has sufficient income to purchase a single-family home at a median sales price. Indexes under 100 are less affordable. The chart shows that the affordability of housing in the four counties significantly declined for the median income household.

Source(s): Florida Housing Reports Data Clearing House/Shimberg Center, University of Florida/The State of Florida Housing Reports 2009

Housing Affordability

This chart indicates the 2008 median income, (70%) below median income and (130%) above median income for the region. For each level of income, it indicates the maximum affordable home price for a family and corresponding sales in 2008.

Source(s): Florida Housing Data Clearing House, Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing

Foreclosures

The number of foreclosures in Osceola County increased by 624% from 2005 to 2009. Source(s): Osceola County Clerk of Courts

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MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH HEALTH AND WELL-BEING The Osceola County Health Department (OCHD) started the Marydia Community Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environment Health (PACE-EH) about 2 years ago. The PACEEH program helps the Marydia community to improve the safety and health of its residents. Since inception, the program has assisted neighborhood cleanups & the abolishment of crack houses, new sidewalks & playgrounds, and improved fencing and lighting. The PACE-EH project, in partnership with Osceola County, has secured approximately 2.3 million dollars to focus on neighborhood health and environmental improvements.

Teen Pregnancy

Pregnancies in this age group are believed to compromise the development of newborns and the optimal potential of the county’s youth. The teen birth rate in Osceola County for whites and non-whites is well below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 43 births per 1,000 teenagers. This calculation performed by the Florida Department of Health designates the population as “white” or “non-white”. The rate for teens 1014 for Osceola County is .3 per 1,000 live births and the rate for Florida is .6 per 1,000 live births. Repeat births to mothers aged 15-19 in Osceola County and Florida are 12.8 & 18.5 per 1,000 live births, Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010 respectively.

Prenatal Care

The importance of receiving early and adequate prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy cannot be overstated. The proportion of Osceola County women to receive prenatal care in their first trimester has remained steady from 2007-2008. While receiving routine prenatal care is essential to the health of infants, it may be lacking in some communities.

Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010

Infant Mortality

Infant mortality is a critical indicator of the health status of a community. It reflects the overall status of maternal health as well as the quality and accessibility of primary health care available to pregnant women and their infants. While the black infant mortality rate remains above the Osceola total rate of 10.6 for 2008, it has shown a considerable decrease from 2007 to 2008. Infant mortality is calculated between 1-364 days of life. 13 13

Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH Low Birth Weight

Babies with a very low birth weight (less than 1,500 grams, or 3 pounds 4 ounces) have a 25 percent chance of dying before age 1. These infants are at increased risk of long-term disability and impaired development. The low birth weight rate for Osceola County has fluctuated the past three years. The Healthy People 2010 target is that no more than 5% of all births will involve a baby with a low birth weight.

Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010

Immunizations

The percentage of Osceola County school children who are fully immunized when they enter kindergarten is nearing the Healthy People 2010 goal of 95%. Maintenance of high vaccination coverage levels in early childhood is the most effective way to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) in childhood and provides the foundation for controlling the VDPs among adults.

Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010

Resident Live Births

There was a decrease in resident live births from 2007 to 2008 for Osceola County, other counties noted, and the State of Florida. During this period, Osceola County had a 4% decrease in resident live births.

Source(s): Florida Department of Health CHARTS 2010

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

RISK FACTORS Overweight Status

Obesity is associated with increased risks of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and increasing diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in adolescents. In 2009, the percentage of obese adults in Osceola County was among the highest in the region and is above the Healthy People 2010 goal to reduce the proportion of adults who are obese to no more than 15%. Obesity among children is also high and above the Healthy People 2010 goal to reduce the proportion of children who are overweight or obese to no more than 5%.

Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Heart Disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all people in the U.S. and in Osceola County. The age-adjusted death rate increased in 2008 for Osceola County residents. ***

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Cancer

In 2008, the death rate for cancer in Osceola was down from the previous year. It still remains the 2nd leading cause of death for residents in Osceola County. ***

*BMI 25-29.9 **BMI 30 or greater

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

Source(s): 2004 and 2009 PRC Community Health Survey (CHA); 2006 PRC Child and Adolescent Health Survey; Healthy People 2010. These data are self-reported.

Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Diabetes

Osceola has one of the highest diabetes death rates when compared to their peer counties. Diabetes poses a significant public health challenge for Osceola County. Changing demographics are expected to increase the number of people who are at risk for the disease. Currently, the death rate for diabetes is well below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 45 deaths per 100,000 people. ***

***Age-adjusted death rates are routine mortality risk measures used to compare rates over time or between groups such as those living in different geographic areas. This type of measure eliminates differences that would be caused because one population is older than another. 15 15

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

RISK FACTORS Age-Adjusted Death Rates for HIV/AIDS The disproportionate impact of HIV/ AIDS deaths on minority populations highlights the importance of implementing and sustaining effective education, prevention and treatment programs and services. The HIV/AIDS death rate in Osceola County for the Non-White population decreased by 14% from 2007 to 2008. Deaths from HIV/ AIDS among the white population in Osceola increase 19% for the same time period. All population and county rates remain well above the Healthy People 2010 goal of less than 1 death per 100,000 people.

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

Age-adjusted death rates are routine mortality risk measures used to compare rates over time or between groups such as those living in different geographic areas. This type of measure eliminates differences that would be caused because one population is older than another. Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Smoking

Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL)

Source(s): 2002 and 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

According to Healthy People 2010, cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Smoking among adults decreased for Osceola and the surrounding counties from 2002 to 2007.

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Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) is an estimate of premature mortality that has been defined as the number of years of life lost among persons who die before a predetermined age. The YPLL rate increased from 2007 to 2008.

Per 100,000 people

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Outpatient Counseling for Adults and Children

Outpatient Counseling for Adults includes services provided to enhance coping skills, promote psychiatric stability, improve functioning, and/ or alleviate symptoms of psychological distress. The percentage of the Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adult population seeking counseling remained relatively constant from 2007 through 2009. The number of contacts made with children for individual or group therapy to address ADHD, disruptive behaviors, learning disabilities, abuse and/or trauma increased significantly during the same period. This can be attributed to a Federal Grant secured by the Osceola school system which provides counseling to children on an in-school basis. In-school counseling sessions increased 156% from 2008-2009. Source(s): East Central Florida Planning Council

Crisis Stabilization

Brief intensive inpatient care is available for individuals experiencing acute psychotic episodes severe enough to cause harm to themselves or others. Admittance may be voluntary or involuntary. The days of service for adults has increased slightly while days for children has decreased by 11%. This decrease for children is most likely a result of the increase in counseling sessions provided in school as noted above. The need for additional adult crisis beds remains critical to relieve the pressure on our local hospitals and the County jail. Additional funding from the State is essential if new beds are to be put in service.

Source(s): East Central Florida Planning Council Source(s): East Central Florida Planning Council

Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Suicide

Suicide is a complex behavior that can be prevented in many cases by early recognition and treatment of mental disorders. In 2008, the Suicide rate in Osceola County decreased 10% from the previous year. Improvement is required to meet the Healthy People 2010 goal of 5 deaths per 100,000 people. Age-adjusted death rates are routine mortality risk measures used to compare rates over time or between groups such as those living in different geographic areas. This type of measure eliminates differences that would be caused because one population is older than another.

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

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*Age Adjusted death rate per 100,000 people

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

INSURANCE STATUS KidCare Enrollment

Medicaid Enrollment

The state of Florida offers children health insurance from birth to 18 years of age. KidCare covers children from ages 1-4 years. Although the number and percentage of Osceola children covered by this insurance decreased from 2007 to 2008, the percentage of children enrolled is still higher than the surrounding counties.

Medicaid makes it possible for low-income individuals and families to get needed health care. Monitoring monthly Medicaid enrollment provides an indication of the economic capacity of a population to obtain health care. In 2008, Osceola had the highest percentage of Medicaid enrollment when compared to surrounding counties.

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

Uninsured Residents

Uninsured people are less than half as likely as people with health insurance to have a primary care provider; to have received appropriate preventive care, or to have had any recent medical visits. Evidence suggests that lack of insurance over an extended period of time significantly increases the risk of premature death. There was a decrease in the percentage of individuals who did not have health insurance in Osceola County in 2009 when compared to those uninsured in 2004. The Healthy People 2010 goal is to have 100% of the population covered by health insurance.

Source(s): 2004 and 2009 PRC Community Health Survey

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

SUSTAINING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Licensed Physicians

The number of licensed physicians per 100,000 people increased 5.8% in the past two years. Licensure data is for a fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Sum of county totals does not equal the state total due to licensees with out of state addresses. Data includes actively licensed providers only.

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

Hospital Beds

The number of acute care hospital beds had remained stable over the past 2 years. Osceola has more residents per acute care bed when compared to surrounding counties.

Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008 Source(s): Florida CHARTS 2008

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PRESERVING OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES NATURAL ENVIRONMENT It is important to note that ozone levels in Florida have dropped over the past 20 years. This improvement has been the result of state and federal requirements on industries and motor vehicle manufacturers to reduce air pollutant emissions. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to ozone pollution. Steps need to be taken to meet air quality compliance in order to receive funding to construct roadways. Promotion of alternative forms of travel such as bicycles and pedestrian pathways helps reduce the potential for particulate and ozone pollution.

Air Quality

Ground level Ozone is considered to be an atmospheric pollutant that can cause health problems for certain individuals when Ozone levels reach a specific concentration. This atmospheric pollutant is a primary component of smog. On January 7, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Ozone. The revision is to propose to reduce the Primary standard from 75 PPB to another standard in the range of 60 PPB – 70 PPB. EPA hopes to adopt final ozone standards by the end of August 2010.

Source(s): http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/air_quality/airdata.htm http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/flaqs/SiteDetail.asp?SiteID=120972002 http://www.epa.gov/air/ozonepollution/actions.html http://airnow.gov/

Aquatic Plant Management

Hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant, continues to pose challenges for the management of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The Osceola County Extension Services Office is managing a $2.88 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a demonstration project to determine the effectiveness of existing herbicides, evaluate new herbicides, discover biological control alternatives in the treatment of hydrilla and hygrophila, and provide education and outreach regarding the project. Source(s): Osceola County Extensions, Grants Department & Natural Resources Section

Solid Waste - In 2008, total municipal solid waste reported was

248,306 tons. (Household garbage, yard waste, scrap metal, tires, special waste like household chemicals.) A total of 20,394 tons of waste were recycled by individuals and businesses (i.e.- glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard, paper, ferrous/non-ferrous metals textiles). This is less than 8% of Osceola County’s total waste. County recycling programs are funded by franchise fees paid by commercial haulers and host fees from the Waste Services private landfill in Holopaw. 12,403 tons of yard waste were recycled. The County’s yard waste processing site at Bass Road collects fees per ton of waste dropped off, which pay for a private vendor to grind the waste. The compost is available to county residents for non-commercial uses. In 2009, there were 20 active recycling locations in Osceola County for residents to drop off their recycling. Locations can be found at: http://www.osceola.org/solidwaste/108-6956-0/recycling_dropoff_ locations.cfm . Materials recycled at specified locations in Osceola

County include paper, phonebooks, cardboard, aluminum, glass, #1 and #2 plastics. Osceola County is not among the 48% of Florida counties offering curbside recycling. Businesses in Osceola County do not have free options for recycling, as they may not use the recycling drop-off locations. Household hazardous waste like electronics, batteries, pesticides, and fluorescent light bulbs may be dropped off at the Bass Road Resource Recovery Site and St. Cloud Transfer Station locations, or at scheduled Amnesty Days events throughout the County. The Energy, Climate Change, and Economic Security Act of 2008 establishes a new statewide recycling goal of 75% to be achieved by the year 2020. Floridians collectively recycle only 28% of their solid waste. Source(s):1). Danny Sheaffer, Osceola County Solid Waste, 407-962-1100; 2). Corinne Wells, Osceola County; 3). http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/recyclinggoal75/ 4). 75% Recycling Goal Report to the Legislature, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, January 4, 2010

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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

PRESERVING OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES Recreational Facilities, Parks and Trails

There are over 40 parks and recreational facilities within Osceola County, from recreational pathways for walking, jogging or biking, sports fields for youth baseball and soccer, nature trails to explore wildlife, meeting places for the community and exciting lakefront vistas for fishing, swimming, and boating. Osceola County contains over 305 miles of public accessible recreational trails for biking, nature study, hiking, equestrian, and paddling activities. There are also a number of public boat ramps in the County that provide free boat ramp access to our world famous lakes. One of the County’s more popular places is the Shingle Creek Regional Park. This facility opened in January 2009 and offers beautiful kayaking and hiking opportunities. One of the main goals of the County’s Parks and Recreation is to provide a place for citizens and visitors to spend time in a safe and enjoyable environment in which to enjoy the outdoors. A number of these facilities provide grills and picnic pavilions for the public to utilize. County Parks and Recreation also are continually thinking of new venues for visitor enjoyment. A prime example of this is the addition of the first County Dog Park located at the Partin Triangle Park off of Neptune Road.

Source(s): Osceola County Parks

Local Habitats and Wildlife

The Everglades Snail Kite is an endangered species known to nest throughout the Everglades and on many central Florida lakes. However, droughts and habitat changes in the Everglades have caused their number to decline from over 3000 to fewer than 700 birds since 2008. This dramatic decline has also been accompanied with a general shift in nesting out of south Florida, primarily to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL). The KCOL has become more critical to the snail kite’s population over the last 5 years, specifically Lake Kissimmee, Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) and East Lake Tohopekaliga. Since 2007, over 70% of the state-wide nesting has been on the KCOL, with 50-80% on Lake Toho alone. The following list is a sample of the threatened and endangered species of wildlife currently being managed on thousands of acres of public and private lands in Osceola County: Everglades Snail Kite, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Florida Sandhill Crane, Wood Stork, Bald Eagle, Eastern Indigo Snake, Swallow Tailed Kites, Blue-Tailed Mole Skink, Gopher Tortoise, Sherman’s Fox Squirrel, Florida Panther and Whooping Crane. Source(s): Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service & Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI)

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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

PRESERVING OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES Water Supply

Ninety-four percent of our water in Osceola County comes from the underground Floridian Aquifer. The aquifer is recharged by rainfall, with the major recharge area being the sandy Lake Wales Ridge in Osceola, Polk, and Lake Counties. Toho Water Authority and the City of St. Cloud are the primary water suppliers in Osceola County and maintain a high quality water supply. (Drinking water quality reports: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/central/Home/ DrinkingWater/Compliance/CCR/default.htm ) Processing and redistributing wastewater for irrigation reduces the demand for groundwater, preventing the use of drinking water for irrigation. Using reclaimed water for irrigation is an essential part of water conservation efforts. Within Toho Water Authority water service areas, 55% of processed wastewater is used as reclaimed irrigation. Within City of St. Cloud water service areas, 100% of processed wastewater is used as reclaimed irrigation. Source(s): Water Withdrawals, Use, Discharge, and Trends in Florida, 2005, Richard L. Marella, http://pubs.usgs.gov/ sir/2009/5125/pdf/sir2009-5125.pdf

Water Use The Florida-Friendly Landscapingâ&#x201E;˘ program teaches people how to save time and money in the landscape and protect our environment. Attendees of Homeowner Irrigation Workshops learn how to use irrigation controllers more efficiently, saving an average of 24,000 gal. of water per year per household. Workshops are offered in partnership with University of Florida/IFAS Osceola County Extension, Toho Water Authority, and the City of St. Cloud. See an events schedule at: http:// osceola.ifas.ufl.edu.

Florida Water Star SM

Florida Water StarSM (www.floridawaterstar.com) is a certification program that encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, and landscapes. Toho Water Authority requires that all homes in new subdivisions within their water distribution areas be built to Florida Water StarSM standards; participating builders receive a 20% rebate on utility connection fees.

Public water supply (provided through Toho Water Authority and the City of St. Cloud) equaled a total of 31.42 million gallons per day in 2005. Source(s): Water Withdrawals, Use, Discharge, and Trends in Florida, 2005, Richard L. Marella, http://pubs.usgs.gov/ sir/2009/5125/pdf/sir2009-5125.pdf

Average gallons of water used per household per day in Osceola County, years 2005-2009. This includes outdoor water use. Source(s): Toho Water Authority; City of St. Cloud

Other Water Usage

Water supplied from wells and surface waters equaled a total of 115.38 million gallons per day in 2005. Source(s): Water Withdrawals, Use, Discharge, and Trends in Florida, 2005, Richard L. Marella, http://pubs.usgs.gov/ sir/2009/5125/pdf/sir2009-5125.pdf

Source(s): Toho Water Authority

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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

PRESERVING OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES Conservation Lands

The total land acreage of Osceola County is 964,904 acres. Nearly 150,000 of those acres are conservation lands owned by the state, county, and city jurisdictions, as well as private entities. These lands are natural upland or wetland communities that contain native plant communities, rare and endangered species habitat or a diversity of species, significant water resources, or outstanding aesthetic or other natural features. Since 2008, Osceola Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Environmental Lands Conservation Program (ELCP) has acquired an additional 32 acres of land. The ELCP was originally created due to the efforts of the Leadership Osceola participants. These lands are managed to restore/protect natural conditions and are intended to be maintained in their natural state and preserve their ecological function. Most of these conservation lands serve a dual purpose of conserving natural habitat, as well as providing lands that are open year round for public enjoyment. The public can enjoy many activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, bird watching, paddling and picnicking in a variety of diverse habitats in different locations throughout the County.

Source(s): Osceola County Natural Resources, Osceola County Parks, South Florida Water Management District & St. Johns River Water Management District

Land Acreage Use

Osceola County is comprised of 964,904 total acres of land. In this chart, the land acreage for each section (Residential, Commercial, etc) is divided by the total acreage. These percentages were not actual percentages provided by the data source. The actual percentages provided show: Agriculture at 64%, Residential at 25%, Governmental at 14%, Rivers/Lakes at 10%, Commercial at 3%, Right-Of-Ways at 2%, and Industrial and Institutional at less than one percent. These percentages add up to about 115% of land acreage. The discrepancy in the percentage amount is due to the difference in the geodetic survey on the maps versus the size measurements done & entered by the appraisers. Source(s): Osceola County Property Appraiser

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Lake Resources

Lakes are the Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest natural resource. There are at least 50 named lakes in the County. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL) consists of the largest lakes and constitutes the headwaters of the Kissimmee River Basin, which ultimately flows to Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. The chain of lakes is a precious natural and economic resource to Osceola County and the State of Florida. Millions of dollars are generated annually from utilization of these lakes. Many people enjoy recreating, whether fishing or bird watching, on the world renowned chain of lakes. One of the more popular lakes within the KCOL is Lake Tohopekaliga. Lake Tohopekaliga is recognized worldwide for its trophy largemouth bass and proudly holds several bass tournament world records. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is currently conducting Lake Vegetation Indexes (LVI) on some of the lakes in the County. LVIs are used to assess what types of aquatic vegetation are within the lakes, whether they are native or exotics. Water samples, habitat conditions, and land use are also taken into consideration which then determines the overall health of the individual lakes. Lake Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) are two very important topics that will be forthcoming in the near future. There is currently no local funding available for these projects.

Source(s): Osceola County Natural Resources, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Watch & the Water Atlas http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/2005DataReport/MiamiDade_Pinellas.pdf http://www.wateratlas.usf.edu/AtlasOfLakes/Florida/

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CRIME CONTROL SAFE HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS Community Vision, City of Kissimmee, KaBoom! and the Orlando Magic joined forces to design and build a playground adjacent to the Oak Street Community Center. KaBoom! worked with the Orlando Magic to fund the playground effort. After much planning, including a design day gathering the input from neighborhood children, more than 300 volunteers from the Orlando Magic, the City of Kissimmee and Community Vision, gathered with city residents and KaBOOM! organizers to erect the playground in just one day. This state of the art playground provides a safe environment for children to play for years and years to come.

Neighborhood Watch Groups and Crime Prevention Programs

Community Watch is a program of mutual assistance between the Sheriff’s Office and neighborhoods aimed at reducing crime and more importantly, the fear of crime in our communities. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit oversees 41 community watch programs in the unincorporated areas of Osceola County. Most communities meet at least monthly to get information about criminal activity in their neighborhood. In addition, the Sheriff launched a new crime prevention program utilized in other counties called Community Volunteer Patrol. The primary responsibility of Community Volunteer Patrol is to observe and report situations which may require response by certified law enforcement officers. Although the Community Volunteer Patrol members are expected to detect and report crime, their safety is of primary concern. Under no circumstances will volunteers intervene in a crime, approach a criminal suspect or otherwise put themselves in danger. Another program launched in 2007 is SAFE. Self Defense Awareness Familiarization Exchange or SAFE is designed to educate women on how to protect themselves if they should become a victim. The 2-hour class teaches that 90% of self-defense is awareness, risk reduction and avoiding confrontation, while only 10% is physical. Source(s): Osceola County Sheriff’s Office

Community Patrol Groups Bellalago Brighton Lakes Buenaventura Lakes

Celebration Eagle Lakes Indian Lakes

Poinciana Remington The Oaks

Community Watch Groups Adrianne Park Alligator Lake Bay Lake Ranches Bellalago Bella Trae Blackstone Landing Brighton Lakes Brighton Place Broadmoor Buenaventura Lakes Celebration Doral Pointe Eagle Bay Eagle Lakes

East Lake Cove East Lake Reserve Harmony Holopaw Hopkins Park Indian Point Indian Ridge Indian Wells Intercession City Kenansville King’s Hwy Lake Ajay Villages Lake Point Lake Toho Drive 24 24

Marbrisa Way Montego Bay North Shore @ Lake Lizzie Pebble Point Pine Grove Park Poinciana Villages Quail Ridge Saratoga Park Sherwood Forrest Siesta Lago Spring Lake Village Summer Cove The Oaks

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SAFE HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

CRIME CONTROL Improve Family Safety- Total Number of Domestic Violence Offenses and Domestic Violence Arrests According to the Heart of Florida United Way, family and domestic violence is one of the top 10 concerns of Osceola County residents. Due to the increase in service calls, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has three domestic violence officers. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports in 2009, a total of 116,547 domestic violence incidents were reported in Florida.

Source(s): Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department Law Enforcement, Heart of Florida United Way, Domestic Violence Unit

Improve Family SafetyIndex Crime Rate The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reported a 05.33% increase in Uniformed Crime from 2008 to 2009. Most notably, Robbery declined by 31.88%, Grand Theft Auto dropped by 23.90% and Burglary decreased by 10.79%. Aggravated Assault rose to 29.70%. Source(s): Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Uniformed Crime Report Submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

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SAFE HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

CRIME CONTROL Improve Child Safety

Improving community and system responses to children and their families are key objectives for agencies and organizations in Osceola County that work to prevent child abuse and neglect. Although there are many formal and acceptable definitions of child abuse, the following is offered as a guide. Child abuse consists of any act that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child which cannot be reasonably explained and which is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature. Child welfare agencies and community organizers in Osceola County have created domestic violence programs and batterer intervention programs to promote safe and healthy families. On May 1, 2009 the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) for Osceola County, Inc opened their new location. They provide services such as Child Friendly Site, Videotaped Forensic Interviews, Forensic Medical Exams, Crisis Intervention, Therapy and Support Groups, Parent Support, Child Support & Advocacy, Case Tracking, Community Awareness and Prevention, Multidisciplinary Case Staffing. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office works hand in hand with CAC.

Source(s): Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department Law Enforcement, Child Advocacy Center.

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IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE SOCIAL SERVICES Project Homeless Connect the Homeless Services Network’s (HSN) outreach to the homeless in Osceola County. It is a one day event offering more than 45 services that are critically needed by homeless persons in one convenient location. Services include showers, meals, shelter, medical care, employment/training opportunities, mental health and substance abuse services, ID cards and driver’s licenses, birth certificates, Social Security replacement cards, legal services, VA benefits, bus passes, rent and utility assistance and housing. HSN is partnering with the Osceola Board of County Commissioners and the Osceola County Veteran’s Council to coordinate this event. Additionally, 500+ volunteers and dozens of agencies help make this event a success. In 2009, more than 360 homeless persons received services. In 2010, they anticipate serving more than 600 homeless men, women and children.

2-1-1 Community Resources

From 2008 to 2009, there was a 2% increase in total calls received. Although not noted in the chart, there was about a 26% increase from 2007 to 2008 of total calls received from Osceola County residents. Also noteworthy is the increase in the number of calls from Unincorporated areas of Osceola County. Over 7 times more residents in Unincorporated areas called in 2009 than in 2008 (which equates to about a 734% increase in calls from 2008 to 2009).

Homelessness In Osceola County

On any given night in Osceola County, 754 adults and children are homeless. Yearly, about 1,900 persons become homeless in Osceola County. This count includes: counts from 18 homeless camps in Osceola County; 1,000 homeless children (and families) tracked by the Osceola County School Board; and homeless persons in jails and hospitals. This count does not include those families who reside in motels without an emergency shelter voucher or persons who are “doubled up”, living in houses with family or friends. Currently, there are 52 emergency shelter beds in Osceola County, which are all designated as domestic violence beds (none available for men). In transitional housing, there are 44 beds for men and 80 beds for families with children. Although Section 8 is a seemingly viable option for permanent housing, there is currently a lengthy waiting list. Osceola County has no permanent housing bed available for chronically homeless men and women. Approximately 20% of the homeless population in Central Florida resides in Osceola County, but only 5% of available shelter beds are located within the County. Homeless Service Network (HSN) of Central Florida, 2009 Annual Point In Time Count & Faces of Homelessness in Osceola County Presentation

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SOCIAL SERVICES

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE Osceola County Human Services Department brought more than 45 partnering agencies together to coordinate a West 192 Operation Outreach event. This family services fair, held at The Rock Church, connected thousands of homeless families or at-risk of homelessness to resources and programs. Families were able to receive rent and utility assistance, qualify for affordable housing, sign up for food stamps, receive food baskets and clothing, access medical care and immunizations, and obtain social service information. Operation Outreach was made possible through the hard work and generosity of local government, social service and faith based agencies.

Social Services Requests For both 2008 and 2009 Rent Payment Assistance and Electric/ Utility Bill Payment Assistance remain in the top 3 for the most services requested by Osceola County residents. This is also true of data provided for the 2006 and 2007 top service requests for the County. In 2009, the top 10 services requested made up about 84% of all request for services made by Osceola County residents. However, in 2008, the top 10 request made up about 63% off all request for services within the county. Source(s): Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1