Hear Their Voices:

1
Hear Their Voices
Springfields Children in Poverty
Denise Cunningham
Paul Rollinson
Sue George
Lloyd Young
Cindy MacGregor
Bev Long
2
ADVISORY PANEL
Sr. Lorraine Biebel Dr. Sandy DAngelo Dr.
Judy Dasovitch Rev. David Huskisson
3
THE COMMUNITYS CHALLENGE

• A growing number of families are living below
  the
• poverty level, as suggested by the dynamic growth
  in the
• number of children enrolled in the free and
  reduced lunch
• program. This troublesome trend has significant
• implications the lingering effects of poverty
  can be felt in
• every area of community lifeChild abuse and
  neglect,
• family violence, crime, drug and alcohol abuse,
  teen
• pregnancy, and other societal problems happen in
  every
• segment of society but are most prevalent among
  the poor.
• The economic cost of lost potential and
  productivity is
• staggering, and the cost of treatment burdens all
  
• Springfield and Greene County residents.

Source Community Focus 2005 A Report for
Springfield and Greene County, p. 9. Retrieved
March 17, 2007 http//www.springfieldcommunity
focus.org
4
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
Community agencies, churches, and others have
made concerted efforts to address the problems
related to childhood poverty.

• The GRANTMAKERS CHALLENGE FOR CHILDREN,
  undertaken by 25 collaborating local
  philanthropic and funding agencies, and
  individuals, is investing 7.83 million over a
  five year period (2006 2011) to support
  community programs which focus on the problems of
  children, especially children growing up in
  poverty. 

Source January 2007 Update on Projects in the
Grantmakers Challenge, prepared by the Community
Foundation of the Ozarks.
5
Questions

• What is poverty?
• How many children are growing up in poverty?
• Where are children growing up in poverty?
• Why are children growing up in poverty?
• What are these childrens lives like?
• What do these children need from their families
  and community?
• Why should the community respond?

6
What is Poverty?

• The US. Census Bureau defines the absolute
  poverty line as the threshold below which
  families or individuals are considered to be
  lacking the resources to meet the basic needs for
  healthy living having sufficient income to
  provide the food, shelter, and clothing needed to
  preserve health.
• The poverty threshold is 3 times the cost of the
  Economy Food Plan, which is the least costly
  nutritionally adequate of the four the Department
  of Agricultures food plans.
• The poverty threshold is tied to annual changes
  in the Consumer Price Index.

Source U.S. Census Bureau retrieved March 15,
2007 http//www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/povdef
.html
7
Typical Family of Four - 19,806
Source U.S. Census Bureau. Income, Poverty, and
Health Insurance Coverage in the United States,
2005. Retrieved March 17, 2006
http//www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf
8
How Many Children Are Growing Up in Poverty?
9
Number in Poverty and Poverty Rate 1959-2005
United States
Source U.S. Census Bureau. Income, Poverty, and
Health Insurance Coverage in the United States,
2005. Retrieved March 17, 2006
http//www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf
10
Poverty Rates by Age 1959-2005 United
States
Source U.S. Census Bureau. Income, Poverty, and
Health Insurance Coverage in the United States,
2005. Retrieved March 17, 2006
http//www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf
11
Missouri Poverty Data 2004-2005
American Community Survey retrieved March
28,2007 factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm
y-geo_id04000US29-qr_nameACS_2005_ EST_G00_S17
01-ds_nameACS_2005_EST_G00_-_langen-redoLogf
alse
12
Poverty Rates Springfield Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA)
American Community Survey retrieved March 38,
2007 http//www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profi
les/Single/2003/ACS/Tabular/380/38000US79203.htm
13
Greene County Children in Poverty 1990-2005
Kids Count 2005 Profiles retrieved 4/1/07
http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data /indctrs/kidscnt/re
ports_graphs/reports.html U.S. Census Bureau
American Fact Finder retrieved 4/1/07
http//www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/
14
Greene County Family Poverty Ratios 2005

U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder retrieved
4/1/07 http//www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData
15
For 2006, the federal poverty level is 20,000
for a family of four. There were 1,377,910
children in 808,039 families in Missouri.
Missouri Poor and Near Poor Children in 2006
875,516 children 271,748 children 230,646
children
Source National Center for Children in
Poverty retrieved 2/8/07 from http//www.nccp.org/
state_detail_demographic_poor_MO.html
16
Where are children growing up in poverty?
17
Persistent Poverty Counties
Persistent poverty counties 20 percent or more
residents were poor as measured by each of the
last four censuses, 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000.
Source http//www.kc.frb.org/PUBLICAT/heartlnd/hr
tdrabe.pdf
18
Origin of Homeless Households
By County Who Moved to Springfield in 2000
Source Rollinson, Paul A. and Pardeck John T.
2006. Homelessness in Rural America. Haworth
Press.
19
Missouri Children in Poverty () 2000
Percent of Related Children Under 18 Below
Poverty Level in Missouri, by County 2000
Missouri 15.3
Greene County
Source Retrieved March 17, 2007
http//oseda.missouri.edu/maps/poverty/pct_poor_ki
ds_2000_co.gif
20
Regional Poverty Levels, 2000
Source Missouri Economic Research Information
Center (MERIC), Mo Dept. of Economic Development
retrieved February 8, 2007 http//www.missourieco
nomy.org/regional/census/sphhinc.stm
21
Springfield State House Districts Poverty Percent
2000
139
137
134
138
136
140
135
Source Annie E Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT
CENSUS DATA ONLINE retrieved February 8, 2007
www.aecf.org/cgi-bin/aeccensus.cgi?action profile
resultsarea29S
22
Why are children growing up in poverty?
23
Characteristics of Poor Families

• Strong sense of family
• High priority on their children
• Strong social units, attachments, and bonds
• Recurrent behavior patterns that provide a sense
  of security
• Boundaries that have meaning even if they dont
  work well

• Tolerant of frustrations
• Skills in seeking and using help
• Generous and empathetic attitude toward others in
  similar circumstances
• Creative use of limited income
• The ability to balance multiple low paying jobs

Source Working with Families of the Poor
Patricia Minuchin, Jorge Colapinto, and Salvador
Minuchin 2007 pp. 25-26, 51
24
Missouris Poor Parents are Working

• 27 (61,428) of children in poor families have at
  least one parent who is employed full-time,
  year-round.
• 48 (111,500) of children in poor families have
  at least one parent who is employed either
  part-year or part-time.25 (57,717) of children
  in poor families do not have an employed parent.

75 Are Working
Source National Center for Children in
Poverty retrieved February 8, 2007 http//www.
nccp.org/state_detail_demographic_poor_MO.html
25
Financial Traps

• Low income individuals find themselves in need
  of funds to meet expenses and do not have access
  to more traditional means of payment. They are
  forced to turn to financing opportunities that
  often cost significantly larger rates of pay for
  access to the funds. 1
• Pay Day Loans2
• Car Title Loans2
• Refund Anticipation Loans 3

1 PAYDAY ADVANCE CREDIT IN AMERICA AN ANALYSIS
OF CUSTOMER DEMAND Monograph 35 April
2001 Gregory Elliehausen, Ph.D., Edward C.
Lawrence, Ph.D.p.1 2 Missouri Office of State
Auditor, Report No. 2001-36 division of Finance
Regulationof the Instant Loan Industry (May 9,
2001 Retrieved February 21, 2007
http//www.auditor.mo.gov/press/2001-36.htm p.
3 3 Another Year of Losses High Priced Refund
Anticipation Loans Continue to take a Chunk out
of Americans Tax Refunds retrieved February 21,
2007 http//www.consumerlaw.org/action_agenda/refu
nd_anticipation/content/2006RALReport.pdf p.p 1,2
26
Growth in Missouri Payday Lenders 2003-2007
Report to General Assembly from Division of
Finance January 17, 2007 retrieved February 15,
2007 http//www.missouri-finance.org/upload/2007_
payday_lender_survey_001.pdf
27
Map of Springfield Payday and Title Lenders
Source Division of Finance Sept 30,
2006 http//www.missouri-finance.org/Contribute20
Documents/500list.pdf
28
Missouri Children Who Moved 2005
Source National Center for Children in Poverty
retrieved February 15, 2007 http//www.nccp.org/s
tate_detail_demographic_poor_MO.html
29

Missouri Educational Status of Parents of Poor
Children, 2006

• 55 (68,127) of children whose parents do not
  have a high school degree live in poor
  families.28 (102,566) of children whose
  parents have a high school degree, but no college
  education live in poor families.7 (59,953) of
  children whose parents have some college or more
  live in poor families.

Source National Center for Children in Poverty
retrieved March 17, 2007 http//www.nccp.org/stat
e_detail_demographic_poor_MO.html
30
Missouri Annual High School Student Dropout Rate
2005
Greene County
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//oseda.missouri.edu/kidsco
unt/maps.shtml
31
Missouri Children in Single Parent Families 2006

• 69 (158,286) of children
• in poor families live with a
• single parent.
• 26 (295,318) of children
• in not poor families live
• with a single parent.

Source National Center for Children in Poverty
retrieved February 8, 2007 http//www.nccp.org/sta
te_detail_demographic_poor_MO.html
32
Greene County of Single Parents with Children
1990-2000
(12,765 Children)
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/i
ndctrs/kidscnt/reportsgraphs/graphs.html
33
Missouri Teen Births 2005
Greene County
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006, retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//oseda.missouri.edu/kidscou
nt/maps.shtml
34
Greene County Teen Birth Rate1990-2005
(408 births in 2005)
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieve
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
35
Lingering Effects of Poverty

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Adverse Childhood Experiences Study
• retrieved 3/29/06 http//www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ace/i
  ndex.htm

36
Behavioral Health Issues

• 2411 Children in Greene County were receiving
  treatment for Serious Emotional Disorders in
  2005.

Source Mo Kids Count 2006
526 women who were below poverty level received
chemical dependency treatment from Carol Jones
Recovery Center in 2006. 157 children below
poverty level participated in programs with their
parents or in child care programs in 2006.
Source Carol Jones Staff 3/16/07
37
Poverty Has Many Causes, including..

• Low paying/ Limiting Employment
• Financial Traps
• Low Educational Levels
• Single Parents
• Teen Births
• Health Issues

38
Springfield House Districts Cumulative Poverty
Social Problems 2000
139
137
134
138
136
140
135
Source Annie E Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT
CENSUS DATA ONLINE retrieved February 8, 2007
www.aecf.org/cgi-bin/aeccensus.cgi?action profile
resultsarea29S
39
What are these childrens lives like?
40
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41
The Voices of Educators and Kindergarten Children

• What does it look like to the children?
• Interviews were conducted with Educators and
  Children between October 2006 and January 2007 to
  gain a sense of the world of kindergartners in
  poverty.

42
A Note Regarding MethodologyDr. Denise Cunningham

• The following qualitative data were gathered
  through formal and informal interviews with
  kindergarten students and educators from Greene
  County schools.
• Over a six month period, I had interactions with
  nearly 200 5-6 years olds
• Educators included regular classroom teachers,
  Title 1 teachers, reading coaches, and school
  administrators.
• Kindergarten children were students identified by
  school administrators as receiving free/reduced
  priced meals.

43
Methodology cont.

• Interviews with educators continued until
  saturation of information occurred.
• Interviews were transcribed and thematically
  coded.
• Data presented represents ideas most frequently
  stated by educators.
• Informed consent forms were signed by
  parent/guardian of children.
• Childrens quotes were gathered during formal
  interviews.

44
Childrens Dreams
What do you want to be when you grow up?

• A police officer. I like him. Hes been to our
  house sometimes when mommy calls him.

Astronaut. I like the stars.
Ill like to be a doctor. But I probably have
to pass first grade first.
Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
45
Academic Picture Educators Perspective

• Limited background experiences
• Limited language vocabulary
• Fewer problem-solving skills more behavioral
  problems

Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
46
SchoolChilds perspective

• I dont like most the other stuff cept for
  recess.

I think it is stupid and I dont like school
work.
I dont like lots (about school). I dont like
to read books.
Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
47
Socio-Emotional PictureEducators Perspective

• Display more overt aggression
• Less likely to delay gratification
• Less likely to respond to typical middle class
  behavior modification like working toward a
  reward
• Difficulty acting in pro-social manner

Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
48
Health PictureEducators Perspective

• Poor condition of overall health and dental
  hygiene
• Frequently ill
• Chronic head lice

Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
49
Parental Involvement Educators Perspective

• Poverty background families tend to have more
  crises type issues
• Prone to cancel appointments or dont show up
• Lack of reliable transportation interferes with
  school involvement

Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
50
Childhood Voices of Hope

• When I grow up, Ill be tall with lots of
  muscles. Ill be like a super hero. Then I can
  make bad things disappearlike grown-up problems
  and stuff.

When I grow up Id like to ride a busa purple
bus. Things will be different when I grow up.
it will all be good then.
Source Springfield Children in Poverty Project
Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
51

The most compelling information we gathered was
from teens in our community
Unfortunately they are living proof of the
results of poverty.

• The teens we talked with frequent the
• Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center.

And without help the cycle will perpetuate.
52
The TEENS Story
Sue George
53
What do these children need from their families
and community?
54
Americas Promise Categories

• Caring Adults
• Safe Places
• A Healthy Start
• Effective Education
• Opportunities to Help Others

Source Americas Promise, www.americaspromise.org
.
55
What are the Needs of Young Children?

• Stable home life without violence
• Regular medical and dental care
• High quality preschool/day care
• Educational opportunities that promote
  social-emotional development as well as academics
  constructivist curriculum for preschool through
  second grade
• Protect their dreams and hopes

Source Literature Review Springfield Children
in Poverty Project Interviews, Oct. 06- Jan 07
56
What Are The Needs of Teens?

• Stable housing
• Opportunities for children to meet their
  educational potential - to complete high school
  or learn meaningful job skills
• Employment options
• Affordable medical, dental and mental health care

Alternatives to predatory loans Homes without
violence Vision for the future Someone who
loves me and that I could count on
Source Literature Review Springfield Children
in Poverty Interviews July Dec 2006
57
Educational Needs of Our Youth

• High quality preschool
• Experiences to help fill gaps (e.g. field
  trips, time for exploration discovery)
• Curriculum that is MEANINGFUL INTERESTING
• Integrated curriculum
• Access to qualified counselors

Greg Fruian Jocelyn A. Butler (1999). Effective
Schooling Practices and At-Risk Youth What the
Research Says
58
The Help That is Needed

• Even if economic opportunities are expanded, they
  cannot be seized by young people whose health has
  been neglected, whose education has failed to
  equip them with the skills they need and whose
  early lives have left them devoid of hope and
  without the capacity to persevere.

Source Lisbeth Bamberger Schorr, in Children in
Poverty Child Development and Public Policy
edited by Aletha c Huston,1991 p. 260.
59
Why Should the Community Respond?
60
Our Community Should Respond Because.

• There are many poverty-related problems for the
  community
• The problem is growing
• The costs are greater for not responding
• Its the right thing to do!

61
There are many poverty-related problems for our
community that are increasing in severity and
numbers.

• Homelessness
• Domestic violence
• Juvenile offenders
• Child abuse and neglect
• Foster, relative, and residential care placements
• Use of social support programs

62
Greene County Homeless Population

• Homeless Count 2005
• 440 Homeless
• 406 sheltered
• 34 unsheltered
• 234 individuals or 53.18
• 206 families with children or 46.82
• National Alliance to End Homelessness,
  Homelessness Counts 1/07 p.31 retrieved
  3/27/07http//www.endhomelessness.org/content/arti
  cle/detail/1440

Homelessness in Rural America Policy Practice,
Paul A Rollinson John T. Pardeck 2006, p. 46
63
Greene County Domestic Violence

• Domestic Violence Reported by Greene County Law
  Enforcement Agencies 2006
• 3,242 incidents 13.0 per 1000 population

• The Family Violence Shelter provided
• Emergency Shelter for 703 women and children
• Crisis calls for 2,053 women and children

Family Violence Shelter 2004 data retrieved
3/17/07 http//www.familyviolencecenter.org/_ws
n/../_wsn/Full_History_P2
Missouri Highway Patrol Data retrieved 3/27/07
http//www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/data_
and_statistics_ucr_query20-20backup.html
64
Greene County Juvenile Offenders1990-2004
2473 offenders 103.1 per 1000
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
65
Greene County Child Abuse Neglect Report Trend
1995-2005
3791 reports 71.5 per 1000
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
66
Greene County Foster, Relative, and Residential
Care Placements 1990-2005
400 Children 7.5 per 1000
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
67
Greene County Free Reduced Lunch 1996-2005
(14,152 Children)
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
68
Missouri Children Receiving Medicaid 2000
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
69
Greene County Children Receiving Food Stamps
1990-2005
(17,691Children)
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
70
Early Intervention is Critical

• The younger the child, the greater the risk of
  poverty. Experiencing poverty during early
  childhood is the most harmful time.
• Children from poverty are less likely to be
  healthy.
• At age 4, poor children are 18 months behind
  developmentally, and at age 10, the gap is still
  there.
• Families with more money invest more in material
  resources that promote learning for their
  children.

Source National Center for Children in Poverty.
(2007). Testimony on the Economic and Societal
Costs of Poverty. Retrieved February. 12, 2007
http//www.nccp.org/pub_wmt07.html
71
Early Invention Matters

• Parents with more money are less likely to be
  stressed and depressed, both of which have been
  linked to social and emotional outcomes for
  children.
• Early relationships (e.g., with stressed parents)
  shape the hard wiring of the brain, which in turn
  shape later learning, the ability to manage
  emotions, and even the immune system.
• Investing in childrens early development saves
  long-term expenses related to failures in
  education, health problems, and mental illness.

Source National Center for Children in Poverty.
(2007). Testimony on the Economic and Societal
Costs of Poverty. Retrieved February. 12, 2007
http//www.nccp.org/pub_wmt07.html
72
There is some good news.
Evidence that our community can respond
effectively!
73
Greene County Public Immunization Rate 1994-2004
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieve March
28, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/indctrs/ki
dscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
74
Greene County High School Graduation Rate
1994-2005
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February 8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/in
dctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
75
Greene County High School Drop-Out Rate 1990-2005
571students (5.2)
Source Missouri Kids Count 2006 retrieved
February8, 2007 http//mcdc2.missouri.edu/data/ind
ctrs/kidscnt/reports_graphs/graphs.html
76
The Future Without Action

• Weve tried to put a face on CHILDRENS Poverty
  in our Community.
• Now its up to the Community to find solutions.
• If we dont the future could be

77
The true measure of the humanity of an affluent
society is not how the society treats its
wealthy but how it treats its poor Child
poverty translates into child malnutrition,
untreated health and dental problems, poor
housing, and inadequate educational progress.
These handicaps mean not only that the conditions
of child poverty are harsh but that the lack of
supportive conditions for human development will
limit adult productivity and attainment
Source Henry M.Levin, p. 241, Children in
Poverty Child Development and Public Policy
edited by Aletha C Huston 1991
78
Lets talk
79
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80
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