DeKalb County Community Survey

DeKalb County Community Survey

Live in DeKalb County, Illinois? We want to hear from you.
Tell Us What You Need. Help Shape What Comes Next.

Your experience can help bring resources to DeKalb County.

Who should take it?
Anyone 18 or older who lives in DeKalb County, Illinois. All backgrounds and income levels are encouraged to participate.

How long will it take?
About 10–15 minutes.

What will we ask?
Questions about your household and needs like housing, employment, food, transportation, childcare, finances, and health.

Complete the survey completely for a chance to win a prize!

Entering the drawing is optional, and your contact information will be collected separately from your anonymous survey answers.

A few important things to know:
- Participation is voluntary and your answers are anonymous.
- Taking the survey will not affect your ability to receive services.
- This survey is not an application for assistance.
  - Need help now? Please contact FSA Community Action directly.
How to Complete the Survey
Tell us what you and the people in your household are experiencing right now.
Residency
How long have you lived in DeKalb County?
What is your zip code? (If you are currently homeless in DeKalb County, enter the ZIP code where you spend most of your time.)

Rows	Number of People
0-5
6-12
13-17
18-24
25-44
45-59
60-64
65-74
75+
Pregnancy / Expected Child

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No birth certificate
No state ID
No Social Security Card
No computer access to obtain records
Never received documents
No transportation to get records
Out-of-state records
Cannot afford fees
Language barriers
Not sure how to access records
Lost or stolen documents
Documents are expired
Name or information on documents is incorrect
No permanent mailing address
Application or replacement process is too difficult
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to vital records

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Unemployed
No jobs available in the area
No work experience
Lack of job skills
No high school diploma / GED
Criminal record
Language barrier
Need help with resume / interviews
Need education, training, or certification for available jobs
No one in my household is experiencing problems finding or getting a job

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No transportation to work
No childcare during work
Health limitations affecting work
Cannot afford tools/uniform
Work hours do not fit with childcare or family responsibilities
Need accommodations for a disability or health condition
No one in my household is experiencing problems getting to or being able to work

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Low wages
Not enough hours
Limited opportunities for raises or promotions
No benefits offered by employer / benefits offered through work are too expensive
Unsafe work conditions
Work hours or schedule change too often
At risk of losing a job / trouble keeping a job
A raise, promotion, or more work hours could cause me to lose benefits or assistance
No one in my household is experiencing problems at work

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No high school diploma or GED
Classes not available nearby
Not sure where to start
Difficulty paying back student loans or previous school debt
Cannot afford school
Cannot afford books, supplies, or other school costs
Work schedule conflicts with classes
No childcare during school
No or limited transportation to school / classes
No internet or computer
Language barriers
Limited reading skills
Learning disability
Health limitations
Need help learning English
No adults in my household are experiencing problems related to education

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Not enough income
Behind on bills / utilities
Behind on rent / mortgage
Cannot afford food
Cannot afford gas for vehicle
Cannot afford clothing
Cannot afford hygiene items
Cannot afford phone / internet
Supporting dependents
No one in my household is experiencing problems with everyday expenses

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Cannot afford unexpected expenses
No or limited emergency savings
Cannot afford vehicle repairs
No one in my household is experiencing problems with unexpected expenses

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Credit card debt
I don't know my credit score
Credit issues
Student loan debt
Accounts in collections
Medical debt
High-interest debt
No one in my household is experiencing problems with debt and credit

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No bank account
Budgeting (Difficulty creating or following a budget)
Not enough money to create a budget
Difficulty understanding or managing bills and finances
Financial scams or fraud
No one in my household is experiencing problems with banking and managing money

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Homeless / living outside
Living in a shelter
Temporary housing
Eviction / foreclosure
At risk of losing housing
No one in my household is experiencing problems with housing stability

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Cannot afford rent / mortgage
Behind on rent / mortgage
Don't meet income, credit, or rental requirements
Cannot afford security deposit
Cannot find housing that accepts a voucher or other assistance
Lack of affordable housing
Cannot afford application fees or move-in costs
Cannot find housing that meets disability or accessibility needs
Housing is too far from work, school, transportation, or services
No one in my household is experiencing problems with affording & finding housing

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Unsafe housing conditions
Unsafe area / community violence
Landlord will not make needed repairs
Pest infestation
Overcrowded housing / not enough space
No electricity
Poor or no heating / cooling
Plumbing / water problems
Accessibility barriers
Understanding tenant rights & responsibilities
No one in my household is experiencing problems with housing conditions

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No health insurance
No dental insurance
No regular doctor
Trouble finding a doctor
Trouble finding a dentist
Cannot afford medical care
Cannot afford medication
No or limited transportation to medical appointments
Language barriers
Ongoing health issues
Need medical equipment, supplies, glasses, hearing aids, or other health items
No childcare during appointments
No one in my household is experiencing problems with physical health

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Mental health concerns (Anxiety, Stress, Depression, etc.)
Substance use concerns
High levels of stress or feeling overwhelmed
No access to therapy / counseling
Cannot afford therapy / counseling
Language barriers
No or limited transportation to appointments
Language barriers
No childcare during appointments
No one in my household is experiencing problems with mental health

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Cannot afford food
Not enough food
Food runs out before there is money to buy more
Not sure where to go for food assistance
Lost SNAP benefits in the last year
Not enrolled in food assistance programs
Cannot afford school meals
Stress/worry about having enough food
Have to choose between buying food and paying other bills
No transportation to get food
No local grocery store
No local food pantry
No kitchen equipment
Need help learning how to shop or cook
Limited access to healthy food
Trouble finding culturally relevant food
Dietary restrictions not being met
Cannot afford food needed for a medical or special diet
No one in my household is experiencing problems with food/nutrition

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No vehicle
Vehicle is unreliable
No driver's license
No public transit available
Limited public transit hours
No access to ride-share
No transportation for children
Transportation is not available when I need it
No one in my household is experiencing problems with accessing transportation

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No vehicle
Cannot afford transportation costs
No car insurance
Need car repairs
Cannot afford gas
Cannot afford car payment
Cannot afford vehicle registration, license plates, or other vehicle costs
Cannot get a loan to purchase a vehicle
No one in my household is experiencing problems with vehicle affordability

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Long community time
Disability / limited mobility
Difficulty getting to work
No one in my household is experiencing problems with getting where they need to go

Children, Parenting, & Childcare
Do you have any children or teens under age 18 in your household? (Include children who are part of your household or family unit, even if they do not live with you full-time.)

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Falling behind in school
Struggling with homework
Limited reading skills
Trouble focusing in class
Learning disability
Limited access to tutors
Difficulty getting special education services or accommodations
The children in my household are not experiencing any problems related to learning & school performance

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Cannot afford school supplies
No or limited transportation to school
Lack of school supplies
Cannot afford school fees, activities, or other school costs
Frequent absences
Involvement with a truancy caseworker
Limited access to Early Education / Preschool
No internet or computer access
Language barriers
The children in my household are not experiencing any problems related to attendance & access

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Bullying/feeling unsafe at school
Health limitations
Mental health or stress
LGBTQIA+ supports
Difficulty making friends or feeling connected at school
Behavior concerns at school
Fighting or physical aggression
Suspension or expulsion
Frequent discipline or behavior referrals
Drug, alcohol, or safety concerns
Gang involvement or pressure to join a gang
The children in my household are not experiencing any problems related to health, safety, & wellbeing

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No childcare available in my area
Lack of licensed childcare providers
Childcare location is too far away
Long waitlists for childcare
Difficulty finding childcare for an infant or young child
No childcare for children with special needs
Child has been denied or removed from childcare because of behavioral, medical, disability, or support needs
Child has been asked to leave, suspended, or removed from a childcare program
Difficulty finding a childcare provider I trust or feel comfortable with
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to finding childcare

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Cannot afford childcare
Do not receive childcare assistance or subsidy
Do not qualify for childcare assistance or subsidy
Cannot afford registration fees, deposits, or other childcare costs
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to affording childcare

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Inconsistent / unreliable childcare
Childcare hours do not match my work or school hours
Limited childcare hours
No after-school care
No summer care
No weekend care
No childcare available during evenings or overnight
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to childcare hours & reliability

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
No transportation to childcare
Language barriers
Have to miss work or school because childcare is unavailable
Unable to work or accept a job because of childcare
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to childcare access & impact

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Emotional outbursts
Inappropriate behavior
Discipline not working
Child mental health concerns
Aggressive behavior, fighting, or anger
Concern about risky behavior or negative peer influences
Concern about social media or internet use
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to child behavior and emotions

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Co-parenting challenges
High parenting stress
No or limited routine / boundaries at home
Balancing work and parenting
Parenting mostly or completely on my own
Different parenting or discipline approaches between caregivers
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to parenting & family relationships

Rows	Check if this applies to your household
Need more kowledge about child development
Parenting a child with special needs
Lack of recreational activities for kids
Child safety concerns
Need parenting support, classes, or someone to talk to
Limited support from family or friends
No one in my household is experiencing problems related to support & resources

Thank You!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your answers help us better understand what DeKalb County residents need, bring resources into our community, and plan programs and services based on what people are actually experiencing.

Reminder: This survey is for information only and is not an application for services. If you need help, please contact FSA Community Action directly.

Want a Chance to Win a Prize?
As a thank-you for completing the survey, you can enter our community raffle for prizes donated by local businesses and community partners.
Would you like to enter the raffle?

Yes (Please enter your email address)
Want to Share More?

We will also be holding small community focus groups where DeKalb County residents can talk more about their experiences, needs, and ideas for the community.
Would you be interested in participating in a focus group?

Yes (Please enter your email address)
Should be Empty:

DeKalb County Community Survey

Tell Us What You Need. Help Shape What Comes Next.

Your experience can help bring resources to DeKalb County.

Residency

About You

Your Current Situation

Your Experience with Family Service Agency

Your Life

Vital Records

Employment

Adult Education

Financial Stability

Housing

Physical Health

Mental Health

Food & Nutrition

Transportation

Children, Parenting, & Childcare

Youth Education

Childcare

Parenting

Thank You!