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<br />Volunteers sought for childhood poverty initiative survey <br />Mar. 10, 2015 @ 04:42 PM <br />Katie Jansen <br />CHAPEL HILL — <br />The Orange County Health Department is seeking volunteers who can help gather data Saturday for the newly <br />launched Family Success Alliance. <br />The Family Success Alliance is an effort to bridge gaps in education and alleviate childhood poverty across the <br />county. But before the gaps can be bridged, the Health Department needs to know what they are. <br />Six zones were originally designated as geographical areas that needed help, and two of those were selected as <br />pilot zones in December. <br />Surveying has now begun to determine the most pressing needs for the two zones chosen, the area east of I -40 <br />(Zone 4) and Chapel Hill/Carrboro (Zone 6). <br />Last weekend, about 28 volunteers canvassed the zone east of 40, going door -to-door to speak with residents and <br />administer surveys. <br />Stacy Shelp of the Orange County Health Department said they were able to collect about completed surveys and <br />tag doors of people who weren’t home. <br />They surveying of Chapel Hill and Carrboro was delayed because of inclement weather, but it has been <br />rescheduled for this Saturday. <br />Shelp said only 10 volunteers are signed up so far. <br />“We would love for some volunteers to come out and help and be part of the community and part of the effort this <br />weekend,” she said. <br />After the surveys are completed, needs will be assessed and compiled so that stakeholders and groups involved in <br />the Family Success Alliance can determine which goals to prioritize. <br />Community meetings will be held next month to discuss the future for both zones. <br />The meeting for Zone 4 will take place on April 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at A.L. Stanback Middle School. <br />The meeting for Zone 6 will take on April 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carrboro Elementary School. <br />Child care and a light meal will be provided at both meetings. <br />In the meantime, people are encouraged to take the survey, either in paper form or online at <br />http://orangecountync.gov/health/fsa.asp. Surveys are available in English and Spanish. <br />To volunteer to help on Saturday, call 919-245-2071 919-245-2071.