Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 1 of 15

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1 Portland s Children: Overview of Key Local Data Introduction Taken as a whole, the data presented in this report paints a concerning picture of Portland s Children, and particularly for children of color. We see that there are significant numbers of low income children living in poverty and that poverty disproportionately affects children of color. We see that children who have not yet entered school are especially vulnerable with high rates of poverty, hunger, child maltreatment and foster care placement. We see children of color suffering a significant achievement gap on multiple indicators, and ultimately graduating from high school at substantially lower rates than white students. Geographically, we see significant concentrations of child poverty and children of color in East Portland and North Portland. The additional supports funded through the Children s Levy continue to be needed across all age levels, and particularly for children of color. This document features important and basic descriptive data on children in Portland related to the goals and program focus areas of the Portland Children s Levy. The recently approved goals for the Levy help frame the data presented in this document. Levy wide Goals Prepare children for school. Support children s success inside and outside of school. Reduce racial and ethnic disparities in children s well being and school success. These goals are guided by the Levy s authorizing ballot language, which also indicates the specific focus areas for programming and investment: early childhood, child abuse prevention & intervention, foster care, after school, mentoring and child hunger. These focus areas were selected to direct resources toward supports for children s development, success in school and success outside of school. The data in this document include demographic characteristics of the population of children living in Multnomah County and the City of Portland. Demographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status are significant predictors of children s outcomes, and will help inform Levy funding priorities in the near term. Data Limitations For most data points, the only sources of data available pertain to children in Multnomah County, rather than children residing specifically in Portland city boundaries. Many of the data points also come from different years, and in many cases, the optimal data do not exist. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 1 of 15

2 Local Demographic Data on Children in Portland/Multnomah County Child Population There are approximately 150,822 children birth to 17 years old in Multnomah County; 1 of which: 63,268 (41.9%) are birth to 6 years old; 87,554 (59.1%) are 7 17 years old. 2 Demographic Characteristics Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Data in this section describes the racial/ethnic diversity of the local child population. Various data sources analyzed for recent reports issued by the Coalition of Communities of Color indicate that for the past decade, the population of Multnomah County has grown more racial/ethnically diverse, particularly among younger segments of the population. 3 During the 2012/2013 school year, children of color made up approximately 48.8% of students enrolled in public school districts that fall within the city of Portland boundary. 4 The graph below offers additional details of the race/ethnicity of area students. Figure One. Race/ethnicity of children enrolled in Portland s public school districts during as percent of total students enrolled. Latino/ Hispanic, 21.2% Multiracial, 6.2% Native American/ Alaska Native, 1.0% White, 51.2% Asian, Pacific Islander, 10.6% Black/African American, 9.8% The data above are based on school districts assuming each child has only one racial/ethnic identity. This method of counting does not fully describe the racial/ethnic diversity among school age children. Through efforts by the Coalition of Communities of Color and the Cradle to Career initiative led by the All Hands Raised Partnership, Multnomah County school district data was analyzed to find out the number of children that indicate their racial/ethnic identity to be alone or in combination with other racial ethnic identities. The revised demographic figures help us better understand the racial/ethnic identities of children categorized as multiracial, and as Latino only in the unduplicated data reported by the Oregon Department of Education. The figures below indicate the volume of population that identifies (alone or in part) with each racial/ethnic category. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 2 of 15

3 Figure Two. 5 Number of children enrolled in Multnomah County public schools during 2011/2012 school year identifying, alone or in combination with each racial/ethnic demographic category. Note: Numbers on the left in the table indicate the total count of students per race/ethnicity category assuming only one identity per child enrolled (an unduplicated count of children); numbers to the right of the colored bars indicate the total number of children that indicated identity with each racial/ethnic category (duplicated count of children). As shown in the graph above, when racial/ethnic identities are reported alone or in combination, the total number of children identifying at least in part with the different racial/ethnic categories increases dramatically. These important nuances in children s cultural identity and the growing diversity of the local population of children have implications for how Levy funding is directed in culturally responsive ways. Geographic Concentration of Population of Color: There are two large maps featured in Appendix A to this document which come from the Equity Atlas 2.0 produced by the Coalition for a Livable Future. The first map illustrates the census tracts in which the portion of the population that is of color exceeds 20.75%. The second map shows the percent of change in populations of color by census tract. Taken together, they suggest that populations of color are more concentrated in East Portland, North Portland, and East Multnomah county and have increased in those areas over the past 10 years. Language Status: Proficiency in the English language is crucial for eventual academic achievement, including meeting high school graduation requirements. In Multnomah County, 19.5% of people over the age of 5 speak a language other than English in their home. 6 In the 2011/12 school year, 13% of students in Multnomah County school districts were classified as English language learners. Economic Status: Data in this section reviews rates of child poverty and other indicators that describe the scale of low income socioeconomic status among local children. It is important to understand a few key measures of poverty and low income status. The table below shows 2011 definitions for key indicators of poverty and low income status; all figures are annual household income levels: Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 3 of 15

4 Figure Three. Annual income threshold for poverty and median income, Federal Poverty Level for family of four (2011) 185% of Federal Poverty Level for family of four (2011) Median Income for Portland family of four (2011) 7 $22,350 $41,348 $72,000 The child poverty rate the portion of children ages birth to 17 living at or below the federal poverty level for Multnomah County has grown from 20% in 2009 to 26.1% in Child poverty rates are higher for children of color than that for white children and than the county wide child poverty rate. The table below from the Coalition of Communities of Color s report, Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, shows the disparities in child poverty rates by race/ethnicity. Figure Four. Child poverty rates by race/ethnicity of children in Multnomah County, Not shown in this table are the child poverty rates for two other cultural communities that have significantly increased in size over the past decade: African Immigrant children, 66.6%; and Slavic children, 15.7% 9 The child poverty rates for each of these groups are figured in with the rates above (Slavic within white, and African Immigrant within black ). When the data are further disaggregated, the income disparities for these groups become more concerning. Geographic Distribution of Child Poverty: The two maps below, copied from the Greater Portland Pulse project at Portland State University, indicate where in the county child poverty is concentrated. Figure Five, illustrates the portion of children living in poverty by census tract. Darker shaded areas have the higher rates of child poverty. Figure Six shows the geographic regions of the greater metro area where the child poverty rates are above or below the national average of 22.5%. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 4 of 15

5 Figure Five. Percent of Children in Poverty in the greater Portland region, Figure Six. Child Poverty rates, above/below national average (22.5%), greater Portland region, 2011 Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 5 of 15

6 The maps illustrate that child poverty appears highest in East Portland/East Multnomah County, outer NE/SE Portland (around the I 205 corridor), and in North Portland/Inner NE Portland. Child poverty rates indicate some of the highest need among children in Portland. Yet, children living in households with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level are also low income. At that income, children/families qualify for services such as reduced price lunch program (free lunch is 130% of FPL or less), Employment Related Day Care (a state childcare subsidy for working parents), the Women, Infants, Children (WIC) nutrition/food assistance program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Among the total 76,083 students enrolled in Portland s school districts during the school year, 56.1% qualified for free and reduced price lunch (n=42,283). 10 According to data analyzed for Multnomah County/United Way s recent early learning hub application to the state s Early Learning Council, 26,364 children ages birth 6 in Multnomah County live in households with an income of 185% of federal poverty level in the past year. 11 This figure is approximately 41.7% of the children ages 0 6 in the county. There is some overlap between the two age groups discussed here children ages 5 6 may be counted in both groups (school students and the 0 6 child data). Data sources that easily separated these groups (along the specific data points desired for this section) are not readily available. The Portland Children s Levy has served an annual average of 15,000 children over the past five years. Among children served for whom data on socioeconomic status were reported, 99% are from families with incomes at or below 185% of federal poverty level. Comparing these figures to the estimated number of children in the general local population from families at the 185% of FPL income level (an estimated 68,000 age birth 17) Levy funded services may have reached an estimated 20% of the local population of low income children. East Portland: Population, Racial/Ethnic Groups and Child Poverty As a result of data and community input indicating an increasing population in living in poverty in East Portland, increasing diversity, and a paucity of services for this geographic area, the Levy sought to direct funding to more services for children and families in East Portland in the 2009 funding round. The Levy has defined East Portland as the area of the city to the east of 82 nd Avenue. The East Portland Action Plan, a city supported arm of the East Portland Neighborhood Office, defines East Portland as a slightly smaller area with boundaries ranging from 82 nd to 92 nd and/or 102 nd Avenues in different areas on the west; 162 nd to 174 th to 185 th in various areas to the east; Columbia River to the north, and SE Clatsop to the south. 12 According to data prepared in conjunction with the East Portland Action Plan, East Portland is home to 25% of the city s population, and in the past decade over 40% of the entire city s population growth occurred in East Portland. 13 In the past decade, over 22,000 people moved into East Portland, and well over 90% were people of color. As noted in the previous section, East Portland has the highest child poverty rates in the city. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 6 of 15

7 Indicators of Child Development, Safety/Well being, and School Success Early Childhood Preparing children for school by supporting their early development provides the foundation for later success inside and outside of school, and in later life. Lack of Kindergarten Readiness assessment data. Currently, there are no data available in Multnomah County (or in Oregon) that describe kindergarten readiness among children entering school. This fall, the state implemented Oregon s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) for the first time across all public school districts. Data from the assessment are not yet available for local communities. Two recent estimates indicate that approximately 26,000 30,000 children birth to 5 years old in Multnomah County are at risk of entering school unprepared for kindergarten 14. Risk factors analyzed include poverty, minority race/ethnicity, low education level of mother, primary language spoken in the home other than English, and single parent households. Children growing up in families with one or more of these characteristics are likely to need extra support to reach key developmental milestones and have their physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health and needs met. Additional analysis indicated that among the 26,000+ at risk, an estimated 14,197 children birth to 6 years old are living in families with incomes at the federal poverty level. 15 That income level is one of the main eligibility criteria for Head Start/Oregon Pre Kindergarten/Early Head Start services. During , approximately 3,781 children in Multnomah County were served in those programs, a small fraction of the estimated eligible population. Over 7,600 children entered kindergarten in Multnomah County s major public school districts during the school year 16. Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse and neglect and the trauma it causes for children can have long lasting and serious effects on their learning, behavior and healthy relationships. According to a report issued by Children First for Oregon, which monitors various indicators for child abuse and neglect around the state and in Multnomah County 17 : Child Abuse Hotline received 17,624 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in ,116 of those reports were referred for assessment; There were 2,200 victims of child abuse/neglect in Between , the rate of abuse/neglect per 1000 children in Multnomah County has increased slightly from 13.6 to Native American children and African American children are overrepresented as victims of abuse as compared to their proportions in the general population. 18 Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 7 of 15

8 Figure Seven. Age of Children with founded abuse/neglect referral in Multnomah County, years, 33.1% 13+ years, 17.6% 5 years and younger, 49.3% There were 2,200 unduplicated child abuse/neglect victims in children in Figure Seven shows the age distribution among children with founded abuse/neglect. Figure Eight. Type of maltreatment among all founded incidents of child abuse/neglect in Multnomah County, During 2011 there were 2,560 Sexual founded incidents of Neglect abuse 26% abuse/neglect. According to 7% Oregon Department of Human Physical Service, Each type of abuse 6% maltreatment experienced by a victim in a founded referral counts as an incident of child Threat of abuse/neglect. The number of harm* incidents is larger than the 60% number of victims because victims may have suffered more than one type of maltreatment and/or may have been involved in more than one founded referral. Mental injury 1% *Note: Threat of harm is subjecting a child to a substantial risk of harm to the child s health or welfare. Substantial harm is defined as immobilizing impairment, life threatening damage, or significant or acute injury to a child s physical, sexual, psychological, or mental development and/or functioning. Foster Care Entry into the child welfare system, particularly into foster care, puts children at significant risk for poor outcomes including failure to graduate from high school and homelessness. During 2011: 21 2,813 children spent at least one day in some kind of foster care during the year 773 children entered foster care and 776 children exited foster care median length of time in care for a child who exited was 20.4 months Between , the rate of children in foster care per 1000 children in Multnomah County has stayed stable at 13.5 to Native American and African American children are overrepresented in foster care as compared to their proportions in the general population youth aged out of foster care 23 Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 8 of 15

9 Figure Nine. Age of Children in Foster Care in Multnomah County, Number of Children years and younger years 13+ years Age range of Children Children in foster care range in age from birth to 18 (up to 21 for children that meet specific eligibility criteria) Figure Nine shows the age distribution of children in foster care during 2011 in Multnomah County. Children of color are disproportionately in foster care compared to white children, and the disparity is most alarming for Native American and African American children. The Coalition of Communities of Color reported that in Multnomah County based on data available in 2009, 15.2 of every 1000 children are placed in foster care ; by race/ethnicity, the figures vary as follows: of every 1,000 Asian children are in foster care 7.4 of every 1,000 Hispanic children are in foster care 9 of every 1,000 White children are in foster care 32 of every 1,000 African American children are in foster care 218 of every 1,000 Native American children are in foster care Because these data are nearly 5 years old, it may be that these figures have changed. For example, data on the race/ethnicity of children in foster care in Multnomah County on a specific day each year for the past few years has shown the portion of Latino children in foster care to be increasing, while the portions of severely over represented groups have remained relatively constant. 25 Hunger Childhood hunger is a problem that affects a substantial portion of children living in Multnomah County. In 2011, 24.2% of children in Multnomah County were food insecure which indicates disrupted eating patterns or reduced consumption exemplified by skipped meals and smaller portions. 26 Close to half of children aged 0 4 in Multnomah County are receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (known as WIC). 27 More than one third of children aged 0 17 in Multnomah County received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). 28 As noted above, 56% of the students attending school in Portland school districts were eligible for the school lunch program with an average of 38,191 children served on a school day in 2011/ Finally, the Oregon Food Bank reported that 34% of the clients eating from emergency food supplied by the Oregon Food Bank network were children. 30 School Success Academic/Educational Outcomes: Children s experiences in early childhood and any severe adversity they face in life such as abuse and neglect and/or entry into foster care can have dramatic impact on their ability to achieve in school. Efforts by schools during the school day, and community Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 9 of 15

10 based efforts such as those supported by the Levy, can help mitigate those impacts and lead to better academic success for children. The All Hands Raised partnership has done extensive community engagement and consultation with stakeholders to arrive at a comprehensive set of indicators from cradle to career that help assess how children are doing in Multnomah County. They recently published a report, Education, Equity and Excellence from Cradle to Career, Chapter 01 which sets forth in detail the status of children across these indicators, and includes three year targets for growth on most indicators. A link to the full report is included at the end of this summary. Below is a brief summary of some of the educational data presented in that report for the 2011/2012 school year. The achievement gap between white students and most children of color (apart from Asians on some variables) is evident from these data. Figure Ten: Children s Academic Outcomes in Multnomah County by Race/Ethnicity, school year. Met/ Exceeded 3 rd Met/Exceeded 8 th 9 th Grade Credit 4 Year Cohort Post Students Grade Reading Grade Math Attainment 31 Graduation Secondary Benchmark Benchmark Rate 32 Enrollment 33 American Indian/ 59.7% 37.9% 71.9% 35.7% 59.1% Alaska Native Asian % 72.7% 92% 75.8% 76.1% Black/African 50.9% 41.1% 72.6% 52.3% 69.3% American Latino 45.7% 46.3% 66.6% 53.9% 43.9% Multi Racial 79.2% 63.6% 80.3% 66.7% 71.3% Pacific Islander (Included with Asian) (Included with Asian) 76.0% 59.8% (Included with Asian) White 79.2% 71.7% 84.2% 69.8% 69.6% Total 68.1% 62.9% 80% 64.7% 67.4% Differential Discipline: Students of color make up 46.5% of the student population, yet account for 56.7% of the discipline incidents despite a lack of evidence that these students misbehave more. The Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families and Community reported in 2012 that students of color are more likely than white students to be disciplined for subjective reasons such as excessive noise, disruptive conduct, disrespect and insubordination. 35 Suspensions and expulsions reduce time spent learning and have a disproportionately negative impact on children of color. Chronic Absence: Attending school at least 90% of an academic year is associated with success in school. Chronic absenteeism in the early years can predict future absenteeism and lower academic achievement, and is a strong predictor of eventual dropout. In the 2011/12 school year, 79% of Multnomah County 9 th graders attended school 90% of the academic year. The percentages of American Indian/Alaska Natives, Black/African American and Latino 9 th graders attending at this rate were five to ten points lower than the rate for all students indicating a higher level of risk for dropout, and poor educational outcomes. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 10 of 15

11 Local Data Reports for Additional Reference Levy staff used the reports and resources listed here to compile this document; readers of this document are highly encouraged to refer to the resources found at the links below. Coalition of Communities of Color; Communities of Color: An Unsettling Profile, Other reports on specific cultural communities can be found at the Coalition s website. All Hands Raised Partnership; Chapter content/uploads/2013/06/chapter01.pdf East Portland Action Plan, and its related documents (see powerpoint document titled: East Portland Demographics 2010 by Uma Krishnan) documents Children First For Oregon; County Data Book for Multnomah, ocid=3447&addinterest=1881 Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Data Book 2011, cw data book.pdf Ready for Kindergarten Collaborative Disparities in Multnomah County Kindergarten Readiness: Which Children is our System Failing? %20April% pdf Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon Ending Hunger Before It Begins, Oregon s Call to Action call to action 2010.pdf Multnomah County Office of Sustainability; Multnomah Food Action Plan: Grow and Thrive Greater Portland Pulse Coalition for a Livable Future; Equity Atlas Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 11 of 15

12 Appendix A. Map 1. Using 2010 Census data by census tract, map shows the concentrations of population of people of color in greater metro area.36 Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 12 of 15

13 37 Map 2. Using Census data by census tract, map shows the change in concentrations of populations of color of over the past decade Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 13 of 15

14 1 Children First for Oregon, Status of Oregon s Children Profile for Multnomah County. 2 Figures calculated for Multnomah County/United Way early learning hub application to state of Oregon Early Learning Council. Calculations based on American Community Survey data year population estimates for 0 5 population. The age breakdowns were chosen to align with the Oregon s early learning system reform efforts, which are focusing state funded and state administered federal funding around services for ages birth six. 3 Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Oregon Department of Education. Data calculated from October 1, 2012 enrollment counts for five of eight school districts in Multnomah County in which all or most schools are located with city of Portland boundaries: Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds. 5 Data provided by All Hands Raised Partnership; source is Oregon Department of Education. 6 American Community Survey estimates, Based on document published by Portland Housing Bureau: 8 American Community Survey, Estimates for Oregon Counties: Under age 18 in poverty, 2011, US Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE). 9 Poverty rates calculated in reports produced by Coalition of Communities of Color and using American Community Survey data from 2008 for all racial/ethnic groups, except African Immigrants, which uses 2011 ACS data. Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, The African Immigrant and Refugee Community in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Oregon Department of Education. Data calculated from school enrollment figures for five of eight districts in Multnomah County. 11 Data calculated for Multnomah County/United Way early learning hub application to state of Oregon Early Learning Council. Calculations based on American Community Survey data year population estimates for 0 5 population at 185% of FPL; used rate and adjusted to estimate 0 6 population. 12 East Portland Demographics 2010 (powerpont). Uma Krishnan. Found at 13 See previous endnote. 14 Figures based two sources. The 26,000+ figure was produced for Multnomah County Early Learning Hub Application to state of Oregon. Relies on American Community Survey data 5 year population estimates for The 30,000+ figures was produced in a report commissioned by Social Venture Partners Portland for the Ready for Kindergarten Collaborative. The report, Disparities in Multnomah County Kindergarten Readiness: Which Children is Our System Failing?, uses both census data and American Community Survey population estimates for to produce its figures. %20April% pdf 15 Figure produced for Multnomah County Early Learning Hub Application to state of Oregon. Relies on American Community Survey data 5 year population estimates for A Work in Progress Dataset on Early Childhood and Schools in Multnomah County. Compiled by Multnomah County Linkage, Children First for Oregon, Status of Oregon s Children Profile for Multnomah County. 18 Based on 2009 Department of Humans Services Child Welfare data analyzed by Dr. Ann Curry Stevens for Coalition of Communities of Color. Reported in Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Children First for Oregon, Status of Oregon s Children Profile for Multnomah County. 20 Child Welfare Data Book. Oregon Department of Human Services, See previous endnote. 22 Based on 2009 Department of Humans Services Child Welfare data analyzed by Dr. Ann Curry Stevens for Coalition of Communities of Color. Reported in Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Children First for Oregon, Status of Oregon s Children Profile for Multnomah County. 24 Communities of Color in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, The Native American Community in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Data on portion of children in foster care by race/ethnicity from Department of Human Service Child Welfare for Multnomah County for past three years for 09/10, data based only on children in foster care on 11/21/10; for 10/11, data based on unduplicated children in foster care for FY10/11; for 11/21 data based on children in foster care on Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 14 of 15

15 12/2/12. For each year data were obtained by Portland Children s Levy Staff for use in annual progress report to Levy s Allocation Committee. All reports with data citations can be found on Levy s website: 26 Feeding American, Map the Meal Gap. Feeding America is the national umbrella organization of food banks of which Oregon Food Bank is a member. 27 In 2012, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (known as WIC) served 21,817 children aged 0 4 in Multnomah County. Children served in this program live in families that earn no more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level ($41,348 for a family of 4 in 2012). There were 46,384 children aged 0 4 in Multnomah Count in (PSU, Population Research Center, 2011 Annual Population Report). 28 In 2012, 54,170 children lived in families that received benefits through SNAP. Families eligible for SNAP earn no more than 130% of the Federal Poverty Level ($29,055 for a family of 4 in 2012). There were 150,822 children aged 0 17 in Multnomah County in Oregon Department of Education report on participation in federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program. Student eligible for this program live in families earning no more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level ($41,348 for a family of 4 in 2012). 30 Oregon Food Bank briefing to Multnomah County Board, Percentage completing 6+ credits. 32 Percentage graduating on time with regular diploma. 33 Percentage enrolling within 16 months of high school graduation. 34 Includes Pacific Islanders where no separate data is presented for Pacific Islanders. 35 Exclusionary Discipline in Multnomah Schools: How Suspensions and Expulsions Impact Students of Color, 2012, Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families and Community. 36 Equity Atlas 2.0. Coalition for a Livable Future. maps print view/populations color 37 See previous endnote. Portland s Children: Overview of Local, Key Data; Page 15 of 15