Back row: Craig Charney, president, Charney Research, David Ochoa, principal, NuAlliance LLC, George W. Frank, Jr., retired executive, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., Edward J. Blakely, dean, Robert J. Milano, Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, New School University, NY, Jeffrey Kraut, senior vice president, Strategic Planning and Network Development, North Shore-Long Isand Jewish Health System, Doug Henton, president, founder, Collaborative Economics and Bob MacKay, director, Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities. Front row: Sandy Feinberg, director, Middle Country Public Library, Christopher Jones, director of Economic programs, Regional Planning Association, Janice C. Rolf, director, Governmental Relations,Stony Brook University, Nancy Rauch Douzinas, president, Rauch Foundation, Carrie Meek Gallagher, project director, Long Island Index, John Racanelli, partner, Farrell Fritz, PC, Richard Hawkins, superintendent, William Floyd School District, and John Kennedy, president, secretary, treasurer, Building and Construction Trades Council to Nassau and Suffolk Counties

One of the most comprehensive catalysts for change has just been launched on Long Island. Developed by a Long Island think tank of business, civic, educational and charitable leaders, the Long Island Index is a report card on the region that aims to engage the community in thinking about the region's future and necessary corrective actions to promote growth.

There's a new agenda for change out there," says Project Director Carrie Meek Gallagher about the mood on Long Island. "The timing is right" for the issuance of the Long Island Index 2004. She notes that the Rauch Foundation staff and volunteer project committee members studied the "best practices" of programs begun in large cities, like Chicago, Boston and Baltimore, to assist in determining what the "vision for our future" might include.

Some Index findings show:

• The region is experiencing a "brain drain" with a 20% decline in its 18- to 34-year-old population between 1990-2000, five times the national average.
• Regional average pay peaked in 2000 and has declined by 6% between 2000-03. Average pay on Long Island is now only $1,693 higher than the U.S. average, while housing prices are more than twice as high as the national average.
• Overall, approximately 34% of Long Island's households have monthly housing costs that exceed 30% of monthly income.
• Between 1997-2001, consumption of electricity increased by 15%, higher than the state or national average.
• According to Fannie Mae, a house is considered affordable if the purchase price is no more than 2.5 times higher than the buyer's annual household income. In Nassau County, home prices are 4.5 times higher than median family income, and 4 times higher in Suffolk County.
• Over the past two decades, automobile ownership has grown much faster than population, and people are commuting longer to get to work; two out of every three households own two or more cars, and about 6% of households do not own a car.
• Poverty persists amidst regional affluence with about 154,000 residents living below the federal poverty line.
• The number of children in all Long Island school districts living under poverty level has more than doubled in the past decade from 1.7 in 1992 to 4.0% in 2002.

According to Rauch Foundation President Nancy Rauch Douzinas, after a review of the Foundation's activities two years ago, Dr. Edward J. Blakely, former dean of the Milano Graduate School at the New School University, suggested that the Foundation make a bold proposal and devote a large amount of funding to become a catalyst for real change. Upon approval of the board of trustees, Douzinas and Foundation staff targeted universities, the media and nonprofit groups for support and formed committees. She credits the advisory committee of civic, academic, labor, business and nonprofit leaders with formulating the Index 2004 goals and the eight-member technical committee with providing data, charts and maps.

Together, the group studied changes taking place in cities across the country. But, in contrast to the business-driven changes in those locales, Douzinas says, "We wanted to win people over to thinking about what makes sense in suburbia, and affect change through information presented in a neutral, unbiased manner that can be used by everybody and can move policy."

Douzinas says the hope is that the report will boost regional thinking, as a product of the interrelationship of topics. "We want to build a sense of region, that we're all in it together," says Douzinas, as a way of finding more effective solutions to problems. "We want this project to be an instrument in doing that. Solutions depend on all the established groups on the Island," and the Foundation hopes that through the efforts of its leaders, Long Islanders will take ownership of the data and bring needed change. "The success measures for us will involve seeing more changes happen than ever before," she concludes.

In addition to commissioning the Long Island Profile and three polls (including, Long Islanders: Who are we? and Caring for Long Island's Children), the Foundation has made a commitment to fund the Index project for three years, through Index 2006. Last year, of the $1.8 million it granted, the Foundation spent in the range of half-a-million-dollars on the project.

The 2004 Index includes a "special analysis" Ð Long Island, Changing Face and Changing Place Ð tracking age, ethnic origin, race, immigration, domestic migration, segregation patterns, education, and urbanization. Douzinas points out that the two indices to come will also feature a topic for special analysis. And Project Director Gallagher adds that the current indicators may change to more accurately track progress toward the regional goals.

The Foundation's follow-up strategy includes tapping its advisory committee leaders to make presentations, particularly to people in their community sectors. Channel 21 has agreed to sponsor a town meeting and the Foundation has provided a grant to the station to air 30-second spots focusing on a key finding and bringing attention to the full Index report.

According to Gallagher, the third poll report, due to be released this spring, looks at issues pertaining to economic and workforce development, and reveals some interesting facts about Long Islanders, including: one-third don't know how to use email, word processing and standard spreadsheet applications; they believe the economy is down, jobs are hard to find and they are less hopeful about Long Island than a year ago; they perceive themselves as tolerant, except toward gays, Muslims and new immigrants; and they feel the most unattractive aspects of Long Island are transportation and traffic.

For further information about the Rauch Foundation reports or the Long Island Index consult www.rauchfoundation.org and www.longislandindex.org.

Long Island Index Goals
Our growing economy nurtures innovation and prosperity
Goal 1: Growth and prosperity
Goal 2: Supportive business environment
Goal 3: Innovative economy

Our communities promote livability and increase housing choice and mobility
Goal 4: Vibrant communities
Goal 5: Affordable houses
Goal 6: Transportation choices

Our inclusive society promotes quality healthcare and education
Goal 7: Healthy people
Goal 8: Educational readiness

Our communities protect the natural environment and conserve resources
Goal 9: Conserve energy
Goal 10: Protect nature

Our region develops better governance and greater civic participation
Goal 11: Matching resources and responsibilities

Goal 12: Civic engagement