First Annual Conference on Human Needs

TYLER — The East Texas Human Needs Network will hold its first ever Annual Conference on Human Needs on Monday, December 2, from 1:00 to 4:00pm at the Tyler Junior College West campus, 1530 WSW Loop 323. According to a news release, members and guests will begin the conference with a plenary session in Room 104 of the Regional Training & Development Complex. During the plenary session, results and analysis of the Network’s recent Community Needs Assessment will be presented.

The assessment was conducted during June and July by member agencies of the Network, which encompasses social and community service agencies throughout Smith County and beyond. The assessment analysis includes data from more than 340 interviews conducted with clients of social and community service agencies. The assessment was designed to identify needs related to healthcare, housing, transportation, education, employment, and veterans’ services. The news release says the East Texas Human Needs Network will use the data to assist with planning efforts and will share the data with government entities, chambers of commerce, and non-member social and community service organizations. The information will be used not only to plan response activities but as documentation to assist agencies in the pursuit of grant and private funding opportunities, according to the release.

Following the plenary session, breakout sessions will be conducted by the education, employment, health care, and housing committees. Members of the public are invited to attend all portions of the conference. You can visit http://www.ethnn.org to register. Refreshments will be provided by Jason’s Deli. Underwriting for conference expenses is provided by Tyler Junior College and Jason’s Deli.