Sept. 3, 2015: Branford is embarking on a community-wide Basic Needs Assessment project. This is an important study that will answer many questions about the economic reality in our town. Our plan is to create a study that will provide Branford with a broad and deep analysis of the needs in our community, focusing on food security, housing, transportation, access to health care and child care as well as other factors that determine the well-being of a community.

Branford Cares President, The Rev. Sharon Gracen said, "We have been seeking to discover the size of the unmet needs that we know exist in our community. This assessment will go a long way toward helping us do just that. We will have the data to back up the intuitive and anecdotal understanding of our community's health."

Robyn Bornstein, MD, MPH, a consultant with experience in statistical gathering and analysis, has been commissioned to organize, design and oversee the study and analyze the data. Data will be gathered by graduate level research assistants from local universities. Dr. Bornstein commented, "The Branford Basic Needs Assessment is an unprecedented community wide project that will provide the greatest opportunity to improve the economic circumstances, health, and well-being of all Branford residents. I would encourage all residents to participate and use their voice to help identify the needs of our community. It is a privilege to be involved in this project."

It is our hope that the data will be gathered, analyzed and available before the end of the year. This data will assist us all in the strategic deployment of resources and successfully identify the depth of the needs in Branford as well as provide us with the necessary information to identify outside funding resources to help us meet the needs of our community.

With the help of First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, an Implementation Working Group will be identified and be responsible for putting the data to work for the good of our town. First Selectman Cosgrove stated, "This initial step is crucial in understanding the needs of our community and ensuring that resources are allocated and distributed appropriately".  "I look forward to working with individuals and organizations in conducting this very important assessment to benefit all of the residents of Branford"

This project is being funded collaboratively by The Town of Branford, Branford Cares, The Branford Early Childhood Collaborative, and The Branford Rotary.  Please feel free to contact The Rev. Sharon Gracen, President of Branford Cares (rector47@trinitybranford.org) at (203) 488-2681, for any further information.