TRAVERSE CITY — All Kids Thrive, a Traverse City nonprofit, has launched a survey to better understand the needs of families in Northern Michigan and connect them with needed services.
The organization, which supports children with health conditions such as asthma or those requiring lifesaving equipment, partnered with Region V for Kids Pediatric Disaster Center of Excellence to create the survey.
It focuses on family quality of life and disaster preparedness across the region from mid-Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge, with an emphasis on families at higher risk for health disparities, including those living with disabilities or health concerns.
“The grand vision is to get a better understanding of what people need, not only to inform our organization, but to share with other community partners,” said Toni Leaf-Odette, director of All Kids Thrive. “We want to broadly understand what they’re experiencing and why they’re not thriving, or if they are thriving, what helps them thrive.”
Families can take the short survey at www.allkidsthrive.org by clicking the “take the survey” link. Data experts with Region V for Kids will review responses to help identify gaps and connect families with services.
Leaf-Odette said she is hopeful that the research will help guide program strategies and provide more information to other Northern Michigan organizations.