This Week: Annual Release of Poverty Numbers

The Census Bureau has announced the official dates for the annual release of their data on poverty, income and health insurance coverage. On Thursday, September 16th, the Census will release the 2009 data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and on Tuesday, September 28th, the Census will release the results from the American Community Survey (ACS).

The ACS is the largest household survey in the United States and offers broad, comprehensive information on social, economic, and housing data. The ACS is designed to provide information at various geographic and community levels. The CPS is a detailed questionnaire and serves as the source of information used to produce the official annual estimate of poverty, as well as to estimate a number of other socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, including income, health insurance coverage, school enrollment, marital status, and family structure. The Census Bureau provides a detailed table that summarizes the key differences between the two instruments.

Most experts expect that when the data is released this month that the poverty rate will have increased in 2009, particularly for child poverty, due to the recession and the growth in unemployment. The Brookings Institution is holding its’ eighth annual briefing, Poverty and Income in 2009: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean, to discuss the new data and its’ implications for families and policymakers. Ron Haskins, Rebecca Blank, Wade Horn, Nicholas Eberstadt, and Avis Jones-DeWeever will provide expert insight on the significance of the new figures.

For policymakers, this data serves as a great tool to combine with knowledge of community specific needs. Combining the official data with research and community-specific information can assist policymakers in crafting policy that will best serve those in need of support during this recession.

For more on Family Economic Success.

For more on Financing Community Change work that can support efforts in your community.

To register for the Brookings Institution event, Poverty and Income in 2009: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean

The Media's Harmful Messages to American Youth

A recent statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) focuses on the harmful messages the media relays to youth regarding sex and teen pregnancy. The policy statement, “Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media,” elaborates on the impact of sexually explicit content in teen media.

Teens spend an average of 7-plus hours a day with various forms of media, including music, movies, television, and periodicals. Additionally, 70% of teen television shows contain sexually explicit material. These numbers do not sit well with American pediatricians as the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Though the media is not solely responsible for high teenage pregnancy rates, teens internalize messages from music, movies, television, and periodicals.

The statement offers several solutions to ameliorate the situation including:

• Increasing dialogue between pediatricians and parents about media
• Supervision of the media
• The production of more socially responsible programming
• More frequent commercials advertising birth control and condoms

For more information on Reducing Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies.

Reentry Housing Options

Ex-offenders have the potential to make positive contributions to society with the necessary community support. A recent guide released by the Office of Justice Programs, at the U.S. Department of Justice offers guidance for policymakers interested in connecting individuals released from prison with affordable housing. The guide, entitled “Reentry Housing Options: The Policymakers’ Guide,” focuses on housing, increasing housing stock, and revitalizing neighborhoods.

The guide does not intend to serve as a blueprint for implementing programs focused on housing for ex-offenders; however, lawmakers can reference “Reentry Housing Options” for approaches and ideas that will potentially facilitate an increase in housing opportunities for ex-offenders.

Housing is just one immediate need for ex-offenders reintegrating in society. Other concerns include access to food, education, employment, and healthcare.

For more information on Re-entry initiatives.

For previous blog posts on Re-entry.

The California Mortgage Crises and the Importance of Responsible Lending

An August report, Dreams Deferred: Impacts and Characteristics of the California Mortgage Crises, by the Center for Responsible Lending addresses the home foreclosure crises in California. The report states that while nationally one out of every ten homes with a mortgage is currently under some form of foreclosure, in California the number is much higher at one in eight homes. The report provides background on the national foreclosure crises as well as detail on the mortgage crises in California, including geographic and demographic information.

This resource is a great place for policymakers to get a straightforward explanation of the events that lead to the mortgage crises as well as concrete policy recommendations. The report includes recommendations that fall under three major policy categories: prevent avoidable foreclosures, take steps to improve the consequences of foreclosures being experienced by the families and communities directly affected, and implement policy to prevent a similar crisis in the future.

For more information on reducing home foreclosures.

Trends in Childhood Obesity and Recent Legislative Measures

Obesity issues continue to threaten the health of children across the country. Recent reports have indicated a decline in obesity rates among most children. However, a study of 8 million California teens found that obesity rates for African-American and Hispanic females have experienced steady growth since 2005.

The California statistics indicate both racial and gender disparities in obesity rates. While the obesity rate for African American and Hispanic females has grown, the numbers reflect a decline in obesity rates among Asian and white males and females as well as Hispanic males. Such reports are timely as the Senate recently passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

If signed into law, the bill would allocate $3.2 billion to improve school meals, $1.2 billion to increase the number of children receiving school lunches, and require the Department of Agriculture to create standards for all food sold in public schools. Michelle Obama has served as a huge proponent of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act as part of her Let's Move initiative. Conversely, critics note the elimination of $2.2 billion from Food Stamps (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to subsidize the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

For updated news on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

For more on ensuring children are healthy and prepared to succeed in school.