QUALITY OF LIFE LEAD TEAM
QUALITY OF LIFE
Vision
Before 2030, Polk
County will have a
quality of life that
encourages diverse
backgrounds to live
in harmony while
developing physically,
spiritually, mentally
and culturally within
a healthy and safe
environment.
Marcia Andresen, Polk County
BoCC
Jeff Bachelder, Warner
University
Brad Beatty, Heart for Winter
Haven
Penny Borgia, United Way of
Central Florida
Marquinia Butts-Fisher, Healthy
Start Coalition
Steve Chapman, Read Polk
Wilma Daniels, Polk County
BoCC
Carol Fox, Lakeland Regional
Health
Taylor Freeman, Florida
Department of Health in Polk
Whitney Fung, UF/IFAS
Daniel Haight, M.D., Lakeland
Regional Health
Schatzie Haines, Lanier Upshaw
Corlis Johnson, My Nature’s
Delight
Joy Johnson, Polk County BoCC
LEAD Team members at Poverty Simulation
In 2015, the number of individuals in Polk County
living in poverty was 18.5% - 2% higher than
the state average and over 3% higher than the
national average. Poverty or a lack of income can
have a profound effect on access to basic needs
and services and there is often a trade-off or
choice made to meet one need versus another. There is a diminished quality of life
for those living in poverty with the detrimental effects ranging from poor nutrition
and health to substandard housing and lower academic achievement.
Over the past two years, the Quality of Life Team focused its efforts on deepening
their understanding of the contributing factors to poverty and the resources that
are available in the community, as well as access gaps that low-income individuals
and families are likely to encounter on the road to self-sufficiency. Specifically
the Team hosted focus groups and LEAD forums on a variety of topics including
Housing, Health, Hunger, and Elderly Services. The Team assisted in coordinating
a “Poverty Simulation” along with eight other agencies in a UF/IFAS led educational
event, to help policy makers from around the county better relate to obstacles
families face in addressing daily needs.
Moving forward, the Team will continue to build awareness in the community of
poverty and related issues impacting our citizens quality of life. Plans are underway
for a series of focus groups and LEAD forums on additional topics beginning with
Behavioral Health.
By 2030, decrease the percentage of
individuals in poverty to consistently be
below the State of Florida average.
In 2015, the number of individuals in
Polk County living in poverty was around
2% higher than the State average and over
3% higher than the national average. This
gap has widened in the last ten years.
Families Below Poverty Level
Individuals Below Poverty Level
BENCHMARK
Gabrielle Knight, Lakeland
Regional Health
19.4%
17.0%
Rosemarie Lamm, Community
Volunteer
13.8%
Kim Long, Community
Volunteer
Colleen Mangan, Florida
Department of Health in Polk
County
12.2%
9.4%
Tim Mitchell, Parker Street
Ministries
2000 2015
Rob Quam, Lake Wales Care
Center
POLK COUNTY
Erica Sirrine, Southeastern
University
12.9%
4.4%
9.0%
2000 2015
FLORIDA
11.5%
15.8%
12.5%
12.4%
9.2%
2000 2015
USA
2000 2015
POLK COUNTY
6.5%
2000 2015
FLORIDA
2000 2015
USA
Source: US Census Bureau
Steve Thompson, Red Cross
Nat West, Community
Volunteer
20
“It is refreshing to network, collaborate and build relationships with other professionals from
such a diverse background and areas of service. The mutual encouragement to provide for a
better quality of life for all Polk County residents is revitalizing. I am inspired to know of the
vast array of folks who truly CARE for our neighbors.”
– Rob Quam, MSW, Executive Director, Lake Wales Care Center