Research firm to measure demand for public assistance

In another sign of the times, a local research firm debuted a new quarterly publication measuring gains in demand for local public assistance.

Applied Analysis rolled out its first Social Services Indicator Briefing Wednesday afternoon. The firm's researchers designed the report to provide "comprehensive data" on the use of local social services, said Jennifer Ouellette, a senior manager with Applied Analysis. Such a resource didn't exist, Ouellette said, and assessing higher public-aid needs will become more important as the recession continues.

The first briefing draws stark conclusions.

"In the current period, the biggest takeaway is a general consensus that things will get worse before they get better," Ouellette said. "If we're struggling to provide services to people now, what will happen when we see increased demand for social services but less revenue to fund those programs?"

Among the findings: By the end of 2008, 5.6 percent of Nevadans participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. That was a 28.1 percent jump in recipients compared with the recession's December 2007 start. And Clark County Social Services recorded a 30 percent rise in demand for its services in the fourth quarter.

The 190 people recently waiting outside the agency's offices at 5 a.m. matched the population the office would have served in three days a year ago. Clark County Social Services turned away nearly 2,000 people in December because it didn't have enough social workers, the report noted.

The recession won't last forever, but this Applied Analysis report will become a permanent member of the firm's stable of publications, Ouellette said.