Polk County Youth Surveyed by Commission on Children and Families

The Polk County Commission for Children and Families in partnership with Oregon State University Extension Services in Polk County sponsored a survey of elementary, middle and high school students in Polk County. The survey asked the youth what extra-curricular and co-curricular activities they were involved in and which activities they wanted to be involved in.

The response rate was great, at 85 percent of students answering the survey. Among the interesting findings were the following

• The number one activity that youth identified as wanting to do was “job opportunities”, named by 47 percent of survey participants
• The interests of Polk County youth are varied and diverse, and no activities or programs were identified by all or a majority of youth as ones they were currently involved in

 Results of the survey will help identify gaps in youth services and to improve the quality of youth programming in Polk County. For more information on the survey and results see:  www.co.polk.or.us/prevention