SACRAMENTO COUNTY SINGLE PARENT NEEDS SURVEY

stylized drawing of mother holding a baby

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SINGLE PARENT NEEDS SURVEY
Hello, my name is Aimee and I am a member of the 2026 Sacramento Parent Leadership Institute Cohort. For my community project, I am working on creating a group that provides resources for the single parent community.

To achieve this goal, I need your help to better understand what support single parents really need. Each of our single parenting journeys are a little bit different and having a broader view of the issues in our local single parent community will help this effort.

Please take a few minutes to answer these questions. This survey is anonymous and takes about 10-15 minutes. You do not have to answer anything you don't want to.

At the end, you can share your email if you want to know when this program launches or be contacted with additional questions. This is optional.

If you have questions, email me at: soloparentproject@pm.me

Thank you!
Section 1: About You
YesNo
Chose to be a single parentDivorced or separatedWidowedNever marriedCo-parenting from far awayFoster or adoptive single parentLGBTQ+ single parentOther
How many children do you care for?
Under 5 years old5-12 years old13-17 years old18+ (still need help)
Alone with my childrenWith roommatesWith extended familyI lack permanent housingOther
Do you also care for other family members? (Like older relatives or family members with disabilities)
AgenderCisgenderManNon-binary/Gender Queer/Gender Non-ConformingTrans/TransgenderTrans Man/MasculineTrans Woman/FeminineTwo SpiritWomanPrefer not to discloseThe gender I most closely align with is not listed (please specify):
Asian (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam)Black or African American (A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa)Hispanic or Latinx (A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race)Native American or Alaska Native or First Nations (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America)Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands)White (A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa)Prefer not to discloseThe race/ethnicity I most closely align with is not listed (please specify):
Chronic Health Illness/Disability (A person living with a condition such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular/heart disease, HIV, TB, POTS, EDS, etc.)Learning Disability (A person living with a disability that may or may not impact their ability to learn, read, write, think, etc. such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, a specific learning disability, etc.)Mental Health or Intellectual/Developmental Disability (A person who has anxiety, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD), Autism spectrum, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), racial trauma or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), or another mental health or developmental disability such as schizophrenia, an eating disorder, etc.Physical Disability (A person who has a mobility condition that may or may not affect walking, a speech or communication disorder, a traumatic or acquired brain injury (TBI), etc.)Sensory Disability (A person who is blind or has low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, etc.)NonePrefer not to discloseThe disability I most closely align with is not listed (please specify):
Section 2: Daily Challenges
Managing timeMoney stressFinding childcareFeeling lonely or needing emotional supportBalancing work and familyKeeping a stable homeGetting healthcareTransportationLegal or co-parenting issuesTaking care of myselfOther
On a scale of 1-10, how supported do you feel in your parenting role right now?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 is Not supported at all, 10 is Fully supported
MorningAfternoonEveningNightIt changes a lotOther
Section 3: Types of Help You Need
Support to find a better jobDirect money help or grantsLower-cost childcareHelp with housingHelp paying utility billsFood helpHelp with tax benefitsLearning about managing moneyEmergency fundsNoneOther
Affordable daycareAfter-school programsBackup childcare when you need itBabysitting groupsCare early morning or late eveningWeekend careBreak time for parents (respite care)NoneOther
Therapy or counselingSupport groups (in person or online)Talking with other experienced single parentsCrisis help linesOnline communitiesStress management helpNoneOther
Non-kid meetups for single parentsFamily-friendly eventsPlaydates for kidsMeeting other parentsMentorship programsNoneOther
Flexible work schedulesWork from home optionsCareer adviceJob trainingMeeting other professionalsChildcare during job interviews or trainingNoneOther
Meal delivery or cooking helpCleaning helpTransportation servicesHome repair helpGrocery shopping helpHelp with forms and paperworkNoneOther
Section 4: What Makes It Hard to Get Help?
Too expensiveRules about who can get helpDon't know about itFeeling judged or ashamedDon't have timeToo far away or hard to get toLanguage barriersDoesn't feel welcoming for my culture/orientationDon't trust the organizationNone of theseOther
Have you ever not asked for help because you were worried about being judged?
What would make support services easier to use for you?
Write your answer here:
Section 5: Best Way to Receive Information
Early morning (before school or work)During school hoursAfter school hoursWeekendsAnytimeIt changesOther
EmailText messagesPhone app notificationsSocial mediaFlyers or posters in the communityHearing from friendsDoctors or healthcare workersSchoolsOther
Would you like to share more on this topic in an interview or group discussion later?
If yes, make sure you include your email in the next section.
Section 6: Your Thoughts
What is one thing you wish people understood about being a single parent?
What kind of support do you wish existed but doesn't right now?
Any other comments or ideas?
Email address
Please share your email if you are interested in learning more about the program when it launches or if you would like to provide additional input for its development.
Should be Empty:

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SINGLE PARENT NEEDS SURVEY

Section 1: About You

Section 2: Daily Challenges

Section 3: Types of Help You Need

Section 4: What Makes It Hard to Get Help?

Section 5: Best Way to Receive Information

Section 6: Your Thoughts