Research Digests

March 24, 2003

Topics:

Protecting Young Children from Injury

Demographic and Social Trends Among Young Children in California

Related Information

Past issues of the Resarch Digest

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The Public Policy Institute of California released a statewide report on demographic and social trends among children ages 0-5. The Bay Area is home to 18% of the state's young children, which is more than any other region except the South Coast area, with 40%. However, the Bay Area is expected to have among the slowest population growth rates for young children in the next 20 years. The Bay Area also has the lowest poverty levels for young children and the greatest share of Asian children.

Infant Homicides Rising in the U.S.
In the last three decades, the annual infant homicide rate has risen from 4.3 to 9.1 deaths per 100,000 children under age one, according to a national Child Trends DataBank report. Homicide is the number one cause of injury death among infants. In fact, it has almost reached teenage homicide levels (9.6 deaths per 100,000). African-Americans are at higher risk than other ethnic groups, and male infants are more likely than females to die from homicide. The report highlights important and preventable risk factors such as the location of a child's birth and the lack of prenatal care.

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Promoting Emotional & Behavioral Health in Preteens

Controversial Findings on National After-School Program.
Findings from the first evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, a U.S. Department of Education initiative providing after-school programs in 7,500 public schools, showed fewer positive results. Program participants in elementary and middle school showed limited academic progress and no improvements in behavior or feelings of safety. But critics say the study failed to highlight gains for African-American and Hispanic students, increased parental involvement and other positive findings.
Study: www.mathematica-mpr.com
Critique of study: www.afterschoolalliance.org

New Study on Effectiveness of After-School Programs.
The University of Wisconsin received a $3.6 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to study the effectiveness of after-school programs. The study will identify characteristics of programs that have enhanced academic performance and emotional well-being. Special attention will be paid to underserved populations.

New York City Community Centers Show Positive Results for Youth.
A study of New York City Beacons, school-based community centers serving all ages, found that q uality programs helped youth feel better about themselves and reduced negative behaviors, such as cutting class and getting into fights.

Rethinking Unisex Drug Prevention Programs for Young Women Ages 8-22.
A study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse recommends an overhaul in substance abuse prevention programs. The risks and reasons related to girls' substance use are different from those for boys, therefore prevention strategies should differ as well. While drug use has declined overall, more girls are using substances at earlier ages. Girls experiencing early puberty are at higher risk, and puberty is a time of higher risk for girls than boys. The transitions from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school to college are times of increased risk.

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Important Readings Related to Young Children and Preteens

Effective Child Abuse Prevention Strategies in School Settings.
A new report sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services synthesizes results from eleven school-based projects addressing child abuse identification, prevention and treatment. Various approaches, outcomes and lessons learned are described.

California's Foster Care Reform: Where We've Been and Where We Need To Go.
Only half of the children in California's foster care system receive needed mental health services, and roughly 2,800 foster children have become homeless after “aging out” of the system, according to a report by the Little Hoover Commission. The report reviews efforts to reform the system, and recommends, among other things, that a statewide czar be appointed to oversee the foster care system, which served 91,509 children in 2002.

Are You Misusing Indicators?
A new Child Trends Research Brief posits that social indicators (e.g., child abuse rates) are underutilized and sometimes misused. The report explains how and when to use social indicators, and describes their five purposes: description, monitoring, setting goals, increasing accountability and “reflective practice.”

Collaboration Between Schools and Community Organizations Help Youth Succeed
A recent report, Helping Young People Succeed: Strengthening and Sustaining Relationships Between Schools and Youth Development Organizations, summarizes the challenge to link schools and communities. The report examines the importance of school-community partnerships, characteristics of success, how these sectors intersect, and provides recommendations and resources.

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Budget Updates

California's Legislative Budget Standoff over the Vehicle License Fee.
The state legislature and Governor Gray Davis are in a standoff over whether to reinstate the Vehicle License Fee (VLF), which would generate about $4 billion every year. Many nonprofits, local governments and public advocates see the VLF restoration as a critical way to help mitigate budget cuts and plummeting city and county revenues. Davis refuses to restore the VLF in part because he does not want to jeopardize Republican support.

Significance of Vehicle License Fee in San Mateo County.
Losing Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenues would have a crippling impact on local services, according to Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson's office. VLF represents 20 percent of the County's General Revenues. VLF dollars support libraries, parks and public safety, and are used to match federal funds for health and human services. Under the Governor's plan, the County would lose $15 million this fiscal year and $30 million in 2003-2004. The proposed VLF reduction combined with the County's own estimated deficit of $27 million, would result in a $60 million shortfall, which is almost 40 percent of General Revenues.

Santa Clara County Budget Cuts.
It is expected that Santa Clara County will cut $120-160 million overall, with County departments planning on 12-16% budget reductions. Social Services expects to cut $16 million of $25 million in discretionary funds. It is also anticipated that 60 unfilled positions will be eliminated. Specific cuts for the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) cuts are not yet known, although CALWORKS is hoping for few reductions in services. On March 18, 2003, budget reduction targets for DFCS will be presented to the Children, Families and Seniors Board Committee.

14. White House Budget May Leave Poor Children Behind.
According to the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), the President's 2004 budget will cause roughly 600,000 kids to lose child care and after-school services. While the budget does not support successful programs like Head Start, it does contain provisions that would give each millionaire an average of $89,000 in tax cuts, CDF contends, adding that the budget may also threaten health care services for children.