Listening First: What We Heard from Our Community

In August 2025, Yellowstone Country Assistance Network (YCAN) received the results of our Community Needs Assessment (CNA)—a process grounded in one simple priority: listening first.

With support from The Align Team, YCAN conducted focus groups, interviews, and community surveys across Park and Hot Springs Counties to better understand the realities facing individuals, families, and the organizations that serve them.

Community Voices in Action

Park County focus groups:

• April 1, 2025
• April 2, 2025

Hot Springs County focus groups:

• April 8, 2025
• April 9, 2025

A community survey conducted from March through May 2025 also captured direct input from residents on housing, employment, healthcare, and daily challenges.

What We Heard

• Housing remains a top concern
• Wages are not keeping pace with cost of living
• Transportation limits access to opportunity
• Childcare gaps impact workforce participation
• Access to mental health and substance use services remains limited

Substance use disorder and mental health continue to be key drivers of instability—especially in Park County.

Why This Matters

• Housing stability becomes more difficult
• Employment is harder to maintain
• Families experience increased stress
• Individuals are more likely to cycle through crisis systems

These are not isolated issues—they are foundational conditions that influence long-term stability.

What We Are Learning

Since YCAN’s founding in 2009, these same needs have appeared across multiple assessments.

This consistency has led us to ask a deeper question:

Not just “What are the needs?”—but “Why do these needs continue to show up?”

Many challenges are connected across systems. Individuals are not navigating one barrier—they are navigating multiple systems that don’t always align.

A More Coordinated Approach

• Better coordination across partners and systems
• Earlier intervention before crisis
• Connecting services so individuals don’t have to navigate alone

In Park County, this includes a stronger focus on recovery and mental health stability as part of overall community stability.

Understanding Gaps—and What’s Already Working

This assessment helps identify where gaps still exist, where services are difficult to access, and where partners are already doing strong work.

YCAN’s role is to support, connect, and strengthen these efforts—not replace them.

Informing Decisions That Matter

• Tripartite Board decisions
• CSBG priorities
• Strategic planning
• Resource alignment

Moving Forward

We are using these findings to strengthen partnerships, improve access to services, and better support housing stability and economic self-sufficiency.

A Shared Effort

This work reflects the voices of our communities and the commitment of partners across both counties.

Because meaningful change starts with listening.