City
of Corpus Christi, Citizen's Survey
Each of the past three years
the Social Science Research Center has conducted
the annual Citizen's Survey for the City of Corpus
Christi. The purpose of this survey is to allow
citizens of Corpus Christi the opportunity to confidentially
report their attitudes toward city services in 40
service and quality of life issues ranging from
police and fire protection to keeping citizens informed
about matters which affect them. Additionally, this
survey provides guidance for future policy issues
by informing decision makers of budgetary preferences
under conditions of munificence and paucity. Together
with other data gathered during the survey feedback
on performance can be assessed by several dimensions.
In keeping with previous surveys frequency distributions
are reported on individual questions. Each response
is also cross-tabulated with ethnicity, income and
age. As a new dimension, this past year GIS plotting
was utilized to graphically display results.
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Regional Workforce Data Collection
A Coastal Bend
Regional data base is maintained by this project through
a contract with Workforce 1. Data files, analytical
reports, and sets of graphics on slides are produced
for each of the 12 counties of the Coastal Bend Region
and the Region itself. Comparative state data are
provided. Data are provided on demographics, education,
employment, income, workforce, crime, heath, child
abuse, transportation, mental illness, and other indicators.
The project supports strategic planning and program
development concerning workforce development issues
in the region. Data files, slides, reports and presentations
are available.
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TxDOT
Port Aransas Ferry Survey
Through a contract with the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the SSRC did
a survey and analysis of the attitudes and preferences
of travelers utilizing the Port Aransas Ferry system.
Working on-site researchers collected data from
travelers while on the ferry system. TxDOT utilized
the survey for future traffic planning for the Coastal
Bend area and a similar ferry system in the Galveston
area.
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Weed and
Seed Evaluation
A research based evaluation of the
Corpus Christi Weed and Seed Project is using secondary
data and citizen surveys to test accomplishment
of Project goals. Each Weed and Seed Goal will be
examined using data from census tracts and zip code
areas included in the Weed and Seed areas I and
II. A total of 400 residents of the Weed and Seed
neighborhoods will be surveyed through both telephone
and door-to-door interviews. Comparisons will be
made to the Weed and Seed evaluation conducted by
the SSRC in 2000-2001.
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Youth
Opportunities United Data Collection and Analysis
Since 1999, the SSRC has provided
collection of data indicators for juvenile delinquency
risk and protective factors within a comprehensive
strategic planning effort in Nueces County. The
project is supported by sub-contract with the Corpus
Christi Chamber of Commerce through a grant from
the Governor's Office, Criminal Justice Division.
The SSRC continually updates data files on 200 indicators
across a broad spectrum of issues and provides interpretive
analysis of these in presentations, reports, professional
papers, and fact sheets. Many data indicators are
available for time spans of ten or more years. Issue
specific data are provided with analysis for need
statements to community groups through the YOU Grant
Development Office. Data files, slides, reports,
and presentations are available.
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Texas
A&M University-Corpus Christi Family Life Center
Family Life Center is a mentoring
based intervention to prevent violence and abusive
behavior, academic failure, and the early onset
of problem behaviors within a low-income, at-risk
community. The TAMU-CC FLC is housed at Haas Middle
School and annually serves 60 youth and their families
through after-school and weekend activities and
summer programs. The FLC is a project of Community
Outreach funded by the Office of Minority Health,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The
SSRC provides assistance in the administration of
pre- and post-tests, survey instruments, and assistance
with analysis. More information on the FLC can be
found at: http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~outreach/familylifehome.html
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Youth
Continuum of Care Coalition, Project Towards No
Drugs
State Incentive Grant Regional Evaluation
Since the awarding of the
Texas State Incentive Grant to the Youth Continuum
of Care Coalition (the Coalition) of the Coastal
Bend, the Social Science Research Center has been
contracted by the Coalition to perform the local
evaluation of the drug prevention program "Project
Towards No Drugs." The SSRC evaluation team
also participates with the statewide evaluation
team efforts in the assessment of community based
drug prevention efforts.
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Youth Opportunities
United (Y.O.U.) Social Network Mapping
Funded by a grant from the College
of Arts and Humanities, Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi, Dr. Jorgensen utilized the resources of
the SSRC to map the social network of youth services
organizations in Nueces County, Texas. The social
network map is instrumental in determining key players
in the development and provision of services to
the youth of the county.
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WORKSHOPS
and PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Certified
Public Manager Program (CPM)
Through a contract with the Texas
State University's William P. Hobby Center for Public
Service the SSRC delivers the Certified Public Manager
Program (CPM). The CPM program is a nationally accredited
comprehensive course of study specifically for managers
in federal, state and local government. The program's
primary goal is to improve the performance of public
sector managers and the organizational performance
of state, local and federal government. The curriculum
uses theory as the foundation and applies it to
practical problems facing the participants, their
agencies/departments and citizens. Those who complete
the program earn a national trademark designation
of CPM (certified public manager).
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COMMUNITY INTERVENTION
and OUTREACH
Nueces
County Safe Communities Driver Safety Public Education
Campaign
A driver education and information
campaign that targets speeding, DWI, aggressive
driving, distracted driving, and occupant protection
use especially among Hispanic drivers in support
of the Nueces County Safe Communities Plan. Project
provides administrative support to the Nueces County
Safe Communities Coalition. Project activities include
creation and distribution of public information
brochures and flyers, creation and delivery of safe
driving presentations, and participation in health
and safety fairs. The Project's research component
is collecting surveys in conjunction with the Assessing
Community Traffic Safety survey system in support
of Coalition action planning.
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