COVID-19 Youth Impact Survey Results
Governor Tim Walz’s executive order 20-02, that resulted in closing schools, and the ‘stay at home’ order effective March 27 have changed the daily lives of all Minnesotans. It has also drastically changed how young people experience their daily lives. To understand these experiences, get rapid feedback, and proactively respond to the needs of young people of the community, the city of Brooklyn Park’s Youth Response Team partnered with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth to implement an online survey and conduct youth interviews.
Background
We would like to thank the more than 600 youth that responded to the survey. We will be using the results in the following ways:
1) Share with the City Council to inform their decision-making
2) Share with schools, community organizations and other agencies to inform their response to find ways to help the youth and the community to navigate how they will adjust to the COVID-19 Crisis
3) The City’s Emergency Operations Center is using the data to inform the city’s response to the pandemic. Expect to see increased communications from the city about information and resource gaps we learned about in the youth’s feedback.
Methods
The online survey was administered from April 2-16, 2020 to collect data about youths’ needs, vulnerability, and compliance. Six hundred twenty-eight (628) surveys were completed. Respondents generally reflect the racial make-up of youth served within the city.
Demographics
A total of 626 young people participated in the survey.
Here’s how the respondents identified racially:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number | % of Respondents |
| Black American | 214 | 34% |
| Asian | 114 | 23% |
| White | 116 | 18% |
| African | 105 | 17% |
| Hispanic or Lantino/a | 100 | 16% |
| Native American | 32 | 5% |
| Rather not say | 22 | 4% |
| Another race | 14 | 2% |
What school the respondents attend:
| School | Number | % of Respondents |
| Park Center High School | 199 | 32% |
| Brooklyn Center High School | 99 | 16% |
| Brooklyn Center Middle School | 94 | 15% |
| North View Middle School | 32 | 5% |
| Osseo Senior High School | 29 | 5% |
| Champlin Park High School | 25 | 4% |
| Brooklyn Center Early College Academy | 20 | 3% |
| Brooklyn Middle School | 17 | 3% |
| Osseo Middle School | 11 | 2% |
| Robbinsdale Cooper High School | 9 | 2% |
| SAGE Academy | 7 | 1% |
| Jackson Middle School | 5 | 1% |
| Osseo Learning Center | 5 | 1% |
| Robbinsdale Middle School | 1 | 0% |
| Other | 72 | 12% |
How did they respond?
- Do you live with or often see someone at higher risk for developing more severe illness (requiring hospitalization) from Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
About 26% of youth reported living with someone who is at a higher risk for developing severe reactions from COVID-19, while 55% reported that they did not live with anyone at risk - Which worries do you have either now or in the next couple of weeks?
53% are most worried and concerned about the lack of social interaction.
43% about physical activity.
36% about school-related issues
26% about employment - What do you need during this time to feel safe and to take care of yourself and your family? (Open ended)
Top responses- I need to / Everyone needs to follow stay-at-home, social distancing, hygiene guidelines
- Need to know that family is safe / family connected to well-being
- Food, grocery, cleaning, PPE supplies or non-surgical masks
- Social interaction with friends
- Which of the stay at home or social distance guidelines are you following?
85% of young people are following the stay at home guideline.
Emerging recommendations
- Develop a Youth Centered Public Health Marketing Campaign.
- Take Action Where We Can – Support Opportunities for Youth Engagement.
- Engage Partners to Leverage Resources and Maximize Impact