III. METHODOLOGY

The NAFE committee chose to gather quantitative data and qualitative research to assess the needs of the County. The findings were considered together to determine the funding priorities.

Quantitative Research

Relevant demographic information to the 24 Types of Service (TOS), populations and geographical areas was obtained from secondary sources of information. The United States 1990 Census of Population and Housing was the foremost source. For a complete list of references see Appendix C.

Qualitative Research

Fourteen (14) focus groups were conducted in San Mateo County to determine the perceived needs for services. The focus group participants included service providers, service users and non-users, donors and non-donors, and county-wide community and government officials. Each focus group was one to two hours long,

Four (4) Service Providers (Invitational) Focus Groups

The service providers focus groups were comprised of representatives of United Way funded agencies randomly selected and invited to participate in one of four focus groups. Each focus group represented one of four service categories:

Economic Services, Health Services, Social/Human Services, and Public/Society Benefit. Participants were knowledgeable of both the services provided and the clientele served.

One (1) County-wide (Invitational) Focus Group

This focus group was comprised of public and private sector and other community leaders from throughout the County. These individuals were invited to participate because of their broad knowledge of county needs.

Five (5) Population Categories Focus Groups (service users and non-users)

The population focus groups were comprised of representatives of the Filipino, White, Hispanic, Black/African American, and elderly (65 or older) populations residing in San Mateo County.

The Filipino and Hispanic focus groups were held in two North County locations where the largest percentage of both the Filipino and the Hispanic populations are concentrated. The Black/African American focus group was held in East Palo Alto, the White focus group in Half Moon Bay, and the elderly focus group in San Mateo.

The age range for participants in the population categories focus groups was 22 to 79 years old. Most participants had children under 18, and a few were responsible for the care of an elderly relative. Regarding language spoken at home, Filipino and Hispanic focus groups participants tended to speak their native language at home often or always. The participants in the Hispanic group represented five different nationalities: Mexican, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, Salvadorian, and Ecuadorian. The Filipino group represented different Filipino dialects and subcultures.

Four (4) Donor and Non-donor Groups

The donor and non-donor groups were held at two work sites: Franklin/Templeton Group of Funds in San Mateo and Heublein in Menlo Park; both corporations support The United Way. At Franklin/Templeton Group of Funds one focus group was comprised of staff and another of managers/supervisors. At Heublein, one focus group was comprised of wage earners and another of salaried staff.