• 2026 Community Needs Assessment

    Share your anonymous feedback about the needs in your community (about 8–10 minutes).

  • Thank you for taking a few minutes to fill out this survey.

    CAO of WNY wants to hear from you. Your answers help us understand what people in our area need most, so we can put our help where it matters most.

    This survey is for adults 18 and older. If you are under 18 and living on your own or without a stable home, you are welcome to fill it out too.

    Your answers are private. We do not collect your name or any personal details. We will only share results as a summary. This survey takes about 8–10 minutes.

    Questions? Contact us at compliance@caowny.org or (716) 881-5150.

  • About You

    This section helps us understand who lives in our community.
  • 1. How old are you?*
  • 2. What is your gender?*
  • 3. What is your race or ethnicity?*
  • 4. What language do you speak most at home?*
  • 5. What county do you live in?*
  • 7. What is your housing situation right now?*
  • 8. About how much does your whole household make in a year?*

  • Basic Needs & Money

    This section asks about day-to-day challenges and getting help with basic needs.
  • 9. In the past year, did your family have trouble with any of these?
  • 9a. If you said yes to any of the above — were you able to get help?
  • 10. In the past year, did you apply for or receive help paying your heating or electric bills (HEAP)?*
  • 11. Do you or anyone in your family get help from any of these programs right now?*
  • 11a. Do you think you or your family might qualify for programs you are not getting yet?*
  • 11b. If you ran into problems applying — what got in the way?
  • 12. What is your work situation right now?*
  • 12a. Do you have more than one job?
  • 12b. What has made it hard to find or keep a steady job? Select all that apply.
  • 12c. If you are between 16 and 24, which of these do you face right now? Select all that apply.

  • Health

    This section asks about your health and your family’s health.
  • Rows
  • 14. What best describes health insurance for you and your family, including kids who may not live with you?*
  • 15. In the past year, was your family able to get the medical or mental health care you needed?*
  • 15a. If you could not get all the care you needed — what got in the way?
  • 15b. In the past year, were you or your family able to get dental care when you needed it?*
  • 15c. If mostly or no, what got in the way?
  • 15d. Do you or does anyone in your household need prenatal or postnatal care (care during or after pregnancy)?*
  • 15e. If you have trouble getting or affording prenatal or postnatal care, what gets in the way?

  • Children, Youth, and Learning

    This section is about kids, teens, and learning. If you are not connected to any children under 18, you will skip to the next section.
  • 16. Do you have any children under 18 in your life, even if they do not live with you?
  • 16a. Are any of these children without a stable home right now?
  • 17. What school challenges do the kids in your life face?
  • 17a. Programs That Would Help
  • 17b. What makes it hard for your kids to join after-school or youth programs?
  • 18. Are you or any adults in your home interested in going back to school or learning new skills?
  • 18a. What would stop you from taking part?
  • 19. Does any of this apply to your household?
  • 19a. If someone is pregnant — did you know Early Head Start is free for pregnant women and babies up to age 3?
  • 19b. If your child has a disability or special ed plan but is not getting services — what got in the way?
  • 19c. If you tried to sign up for Head Start or Early Head Start but could not — what got in the way?
  • 20. Do you know about free pre-K programs in your area, like Universal Pre-K (UPK)?
  • 20a. If your child is not in a pre-K program — what got in the way?

  • Community Resources

    This section asks about how you find help and what your community needs most.
  • 21. When you need help or information, where do you usually go? Select all that apply.*
  • 22. What do you feel is missing most or not enough in your community? Pick your top 3.*
  • 23. Why do you think people in your community have a hard time making ends meet?*
  • 24. Have you heard of Community Action Organization of WNY (CAO of WNY)?*
  • 24a. If you have used CAO of WNY — how would you rate your experience?
  • 24b. If you have not used CAO of WNY — what stopped you?

  • Safety & Getting Around

    This section asks about safety in your neighborhood and how you get from place to place.

  • How safe do you feel in your neighborhood? And what problems, if any, do you see there?

  • 25. How safe do you feel?*
  • 25a. What concerns do you see? Select all that apply.*
  • 26. How do you usually get around?*
  • 26a. Is getting around a problem for me?*
  • 27. Do you have good internet at home?*
  • 27a. If no — what is the reason?

  • Older Adults & People with Disabilities

    This section is for people 65 or older or those with a disability. If this does not apply to you, you will skip to the next section.
  • 28. Does any of this apply to you?*

  • What help do you need to live on your own or stay well? And what kind of care do you have now?

  • 29. Help I need
  • 29a. Care I have now

  • Your Voice

    This is your chance to tell us what matters most to you. Your answers help shape what we do next.
  • 30. What are the 3 biggest needs in your community right now?*
  • 33. How did you hear about this survey?
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