If you check your mailbox and find an envelope marked “HARC” with a window showcasing a $2 bill on the back, don’t toss it—open it! Inside is an invitation to participate in the Coachella Valley Community Health Survey. And this is more than just a typical survey.
To understand why this survey matters, you first need to know the context. Riverside County is vast—larger than some U.S. states. Because our county is so big, data from sources like the Census is often skewed toward the more populated areas in Western Riverside County, leaving the Coachella Valley largely underrepresented and unseen. Our region is unique, and we need our own data to tell our story more accurately.
While “data” might sound dry, it plays a vital role in quality of life. Data helps describe our community, uncover disparities and track changes over time. It helps us tell our stories and spotlight our needs.
That’s why local leaders came together in 2006 to create a solution—HARC (Health Assessment and Research for Communities). Based in Palm Desert, HARC is a nonprofit research and evaluation organization focused on collecting and sharing data specifically for the Coachella Valley. The goal? To make this information clear, accessible and free for everyone.
In 2007, HARC launched the first Coachella Valley Community Health Survey. Rather than being based on national models or academic theories, the survey was designed around what local changemakers said they needed to know—information they couldn’t find anywhere else. The result is a regional health survey, repeated every three years, covering everything from health-care access and mental health to chronic diseases, food insecurity and socioeconomic needs.
Each survey includes a rich demographic section, allowing HARC to spotlight the needs of groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, women, veterans, people of color and residents in specific areas like the East Valley.
During each survey cycle, HARC collects data from more than 2,500 adults—a sample that is statistically representative of the entire Coachella Valley. Surveys are made available in both English and Spanish and may reflect the respondent’s own experiences or the needs of children in their household.
Hundreds of local organizations rely on this data—nonprofits, health-care providers, local governments, school districts and others. They use the data to identify priorities, shape programs and secure funding. For example, nonprofits using HARC data have collectively secured more than $20 million in grants for critical low- or no-cost services such as senior meal delivery, children’s mental health services, transportation for individuals with disabilities and HIV testing.
If you complete the survey, you’ll receive a $20 Visa gift card as a thank-you.
The format of the survey has also evolved over the years. What began as a phone survey is now offered online or on paper. If you’re one of the 25,000 households selected this year, you’ll receive an invitation in the mail—along with a $2 bill as a token of appreciation. The flier encourages you to complete the survey online or request a paper copy. And here’s the bonus: If you complete the survey, you’ll receive a $20 Visa gift card as a thank-you (courtesy of Desert Healthcare District/Foundation, one of the largest funders of this survey cycle).
If there are children in your home, you’ll also be invited to complete a second survey focused on child health—with another $20 card in return. That’s potentially $40 for just a few minutes of your time.
So if you get the invitation to participate in the Coachella Valley Community Health Survey, please don’t ignore it. Take a moment to complete the survey, and share your story. Your voice is an essential part of telling the story of the Coachella Valley community—and sharing your story matters.
This year’s survey is funded by HARC and a wide range of generous supporters, including (in alphabetical order): Auen Foundation, city of Desert Hot Springs, city of La Quinta, city of Palm Springs, Desert Care Network, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, Desert Oasis Healthcare, First 5 Riverside County, Inland Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Regional Access Project Foundation, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez (Fourth District, Riverside County) and many generous individuals.
Have more questions? Visit HARCdata.org/FAQ for a detailed Q&A, or download the report from the last survey cycle to see the kind of insights this data provides. In less than a year, the new data will be available—for free, as always—on HARC’s website.
Jenna LeComte-Hinely is the executive director of HARC, Inc.
please send me the link to the survey