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organizational resources

The Sustainable Organizations Resource Library offers a regularly updated list of technical assistance and training providers, consulting agencies and individuals, helpful online links and more.

Within Reach: Ending Unsheltered Homelessness in the Asheville - Buncombe CoC

This report shares findings from a needs assessment and corresponding recommendations related to unsheltered homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The research was conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Within Reach cover with image of Asheville

WNC Housing Needs Assessment

In late 2020, Dogwood Health Trust commissioned Bowen National Research to examine the housing needs, supply and gaps that exist in Western North Carolina now and into 2025. The results of this six-month study include an analysis of projected population changes, income expectations, housing supply and affordability for rental and ownership in each of the WNC’s 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. 

Summer Learning Recovery in Western North Carolina: Voices From the Field

The intent of this study was to capture “the voices behind the numbers” to better understand summer learning recovery efforts in high schools in Western North Carolina.

CandL Listening Session Analysis (Western Counties)

In its latest commissioned study, Dogwood partnered with NC Child’s Care and Learning Initiative (CandL), to conduct a listening tour in 13 WNC counties and hear first-hand the concerns and needs of parents, caregivers and child care providers in those counties.

Presentation Slides:

WNC After 3PM: A Landscape Analysis of Out-of-School Time Programs in the 18 Westernmost NC Counties and the Qualla Boundary

The out-of-school analysis conducted by the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) highlights the assets WNC providers offer youth, families and communities after school, on weekends and during summers. It also highlights the challenges our regional partners face with delivering high-quality, stable and impactful opportunities for youth to develop as whole children and adolescents with the psychological, social, academic and emotional competencies necessary for adulthood. The report also includes an interactive map of findings.

A Landscape Analysis of K12 Education Outcomes in Western North Carolina

This report from the Education Policy Initiative at Carolina examined the K12 landscape of our region. It showed that students with disabilities, students of color, specifically African American students, students who are English language learners, and students in our lowest-wealth communities have less access and success in K12 classrooms across WNC communities.

Landscape Analysis of k-12 Education Outcomes in WNC cover

Comprehensive Studies of WNC's Early Care & Education Landscape.

These comprehensive studies of the regional ECE landscape and the T.E.A.C.H program, conducted by the Child Care Services Association, explore the barriers to the families and teachers of our region’s youngest learners.

Economic Impacts of Canton Paper Mill Closure in WNC

Dogwood supported the Southwestern Commission to conduct a study of the Pactive Evergreen paper mill closure’s economic impact across the entire WNC region. The report examines the effect on employment, labor income, economic output and tax revenue and includes data by industry and by county.

Presentation Slides:

WNC Capital Landscape Assessment

Our partners at Shining Rock Ventures explored the landscape of funders, lenders, investors, and business support organizations in the region and examined how WNC can create a more intentional and coordinated capital network.

Opportunities for AgriFoodTech in WNC

This report from RTI innovation Advisors assesses our region’s agriculture and food technology (AgriFood Tech) opportunities as a means for creating new pathways for economic opportunity.

2023 NC Rural Center’s Road Trip Annual Meeting Presentation

NC Rural Center 2023 Summer Road Trip

North Carolina Community Data

CandL Listening Session Analysis (Western Counties)

In its latest commissioned study, Dogwood partnered with NC Child’s Care and Learning Initiative (CandL), to conduct a listening tour in 13 WNC counties and hear first-hand the concerns and needs of parents, caregivers and child care providers in those counties.

WNC After 3PM: A Landscape Analysis of Out-of-School Time Programs in the 18 Westernmost NC Counties and the Qualla Boundary

The out-of-school analysis conducted by the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) highlights the assets WNC providers offer youth, families and communities after school, on weekends and during summers. It also highlights the challenges our regional partners face with delivering high-quality, stable and impactful opportunities for youth to develop as whole children and adolescents with the psychological, social, academic and emotional competencies necessary for adulthood. The report also includes an interactive map of findings.

Within Reach: Ending Unsheltered Homelessness in the Asheville - Buncome CoC

This report shares findings from a needs assessment and corresponding recommendations related to unsheltered homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The research was conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Within Reach cover with image of Asheville

Opportunities for AgriFoodTech in WNC

This report from RTI innovation Advisors assesses our region’s agriculture and food technology (AgriFood Tech) opportunities as a means for creating new pathways for economic opportunity.

WNC Capital Landscape Assessment

Our partners at Shining Rock Ventures explored the landscape of funders, lenders, investors, and business support organizations in the region and examined how WNC can create a more intentional and coordinated capital network.

A Landscape Analysis of K12 Education Outcomes in Western North Carolina

This report from the Education Policy Initiative at Carolina examined the K12 landscape of our region. It showed that students with disabilities, students of color, specifically African American students, students who are English language learners, and students in our lowest-wealth communities have less access and success in K12 classrooms across WNC communities.

Landscape Analysis of k-12 Education Outcomes in WNC cover

Comprehensive Studies of WNC's Early Care & Education Landscape.

These comprehensive studies of the regional ECE landscape and the T.E.A.C.H program, conducted by the Child Care Services Association, explore the barriers to the families and teachers of our region’s youngest learners.

WNC Housing Needs Assessment

In late 2020, Dogwood Health Trust commissioned Bowen National Research to examine the housing needs, supply and gaps that exist in Western North Carolina now and into 2025. The results of this six-month study include an analysis of projected population changes, income expectations, housing supply and affordability for rental and ownership in each of the WNC’s 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. 

Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

NC State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS)

NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

NCDHHS: Combating North Carolina's Opioid Crisis

Healthy People
2030

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Health & Wellness | Goal 4

Increase Access to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Prevention and Treatment

Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use

Objective 4.1: Reduce opioid overdose mortality throughout the region

Objective 4.2: Reduce untreated behavioral health and substance use disorder in disproportionately affected communities

Objective 4.3: Prevent and reduce behavioral health issues and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, illicit and prescription drugs) in youth

Health & Wellness | Goal 3

Address Health Disparities

Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors

Objective 3.1: Improve health outcomes for women and infants in rural and low-income communities and communities of color

Objective 3.2: Reduce the prevalence of common chronic health diseases in disproportionately affected communities

Objective 3.3: Increase effectiveness of health care through delivery of culturally aligned services

Health & Wellness | Goal 2

Increase Access to Whole-Person Health Care

Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services

Objective 2.1: Increase the number of people with affordable health insurance coverage

Objective 2.2: Increase the available workforce for primary and allied health care services

Objective 2.3: Increase access to comprehensive and integrated care

Objective 2.4: Increase access to community-based services in low-income, elderly and rural communities

Health & Wellness | Goal 1

Support and Build Healthy Communities

Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty

Objective 1.1: Decrease adverse experiences (ACEs and traumatic violence) and improve individual and family resiliency

Objective 1.2: Increase access to community environments that promote healthy living and social connectedness across the age continuum

Economic Opportunity | Goal 4

Foster Entrepreneurship

Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region

Objective 4.1: Increase the number of Person of Color (POC)-led small businesses throughout the region

Objective 4.2: Increase the number of rural small businesses throughout the region

Economic Opportunity | Goal 3

Build Economic Ecosystems

Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership

Objective 3.1: Improve access to higher-paying jobs throughout the region, targeting the lowest income populations

Objective 3.2: Increase and retain quality jobs

Objective 3.3: Stimulate economic growth, catalyzing businesses and revenue

Economic Opportunity | Goal 2

Promote Work Readiness

Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage

Objective 2.1: Close the educational attainment gap in WNC, staying on pace with regional and county-specific projections (myFutureNC 2030).

Economic Opportunity | Goal 1

Develop a Comprehensive Data Resource

Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina

Education | Goal 3

Support Higher Education Career Readiness

Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels

Objective 4.1: Close the educational attainment gap in WNC, staying on pace with regional and county-specific projections (myFutureNC 2030).

Education | Goal 2

Improve K-12 Education

Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career

Objective 2.1: Address teacher workforce challenges

Objective 2.2: Equip families of students to support academic growth and social-emotional health

Objective 2.3: Increase capacity of partners to provide supports and services, particularly for children facing challenges related to poverty, systemic racism, being differently abled or English language learners

Education | Goal 1

Improve Early Childhood Education Ecosystem

Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn

Objective: Address early childhood educator workforce challenges

Education | Goal 4

Develop a Comprehensive Landscape Study

Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina

Housing | Goal 5

Use Impact Investments to Create Affordable and Workforce Housing

Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities

Housing | Goal 4

Create and Preserve Housing Units for Persons Below 50% of the Median Income

Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families

Objective 4.1: Create rental units for households below 50% of the median income

Objective 4.2: Help families pay no more than 30% of their income on housing

Objective 4.3: Create and preserve communities in a way that is representative of the WNC natural landscape

Housing | Goal 3

Create and Preserve Senior Housing

Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned

Objective 3.1: Create needed rental and homeownership opportunities for seniors

Objective 3.2: Incorporate supportive services in rental housing developments

Objective 3.3: Increase use of universal design in development

Housing | Goal 2

Create and Preserve Supportive Housing Rental Units

Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing

Objective 2.1: Create new supportive housing

Objective 2.2: Preserve existing supportive housing

Objective 2.3: Leverage state and federal funds

Single story home in the midst of being build with 3 volunteers helping.

Housing | Goal 1

Support Healthy and Safe Revitalization Opportunities

Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.

Objective 1.1: Revitalize Neighborhoods

Objective 1.2: Repurpose existing structures to minimize environmental impact

Objective 1.3: Support home ownership