Infants and Young Children at Risk… From Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa’s Community Profile 2007

Top Risk Factors for Infants and Young Children Low-income and poverty Teen mother, especially those with more than one child Absent father Short spacing between births (less than 24 months) Parent, especially the mother, without a high school education Lack of positive emotional, physical and intellectual experiences Adverse childhood experiences Risk Factors

Poverty

Risk Factors for Infants

Absent Parent

Early Care & Learning

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study Major American research project that poses the question of whether and how childhood experiences affect adult health decades later Provides compelling evidence that: –Adverse childhood experiences are surprisingly common –ACE’s happen even in “the best of families” –ACE’s have long-term, damaging consequences Findings reveal powerful relationships between emotional experiences as children and physical and mental health as adults ACE Study Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: “About the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.”

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study Pyramid Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: “About the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.” ACE Study

Adverse Childhood Experiences… Recurrent physical abuse Recurrent emotional abuse Sexual abuse An alcohol or drug abuser An incarcerated household member Growing up in a household with: Someone who is chronically depressed, suicidal, institutionalized or mentally ill Mother being treated violently One or no parents Emotional or physical neglect Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: “What are Adverse Childhood Experieinces (ACE’s).” ACE Study

…Lead to Health-Risk Behaviors… Smoking Overeating Physical inactivity Heavy alcohol use Drug use Promiscuity Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: ACE Study

…Which Cause Disease, Disability and Social Problems in Adulthood Heart disease Cancer Chronic lung and liver disease Stroke Diabetes Sexually transmitted diseases Nicotine addiction Alcoholism Drug addiction Obesity Depression Suicide Injuries Unintentional pregnancy Source: Felitti, Vincent J., “The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adult Health: Turning gold into lead;” CDC Media Relations, May 14, 1998, “Adult Health Problems Linked to Traumatic Childhood Experiences.” ACE Study

Risk Factors Increase Likelihood of Adverse Health and Social Outcomes ~ Adverse Outcomes for Infants and Young Children: Infant death Poor health Poor development Lack of school readiness Poor school performance Physical, mental or sexual abuse or neglect Adverse Outcomes

Infant Mortality

Births to Teens

Impact of Adult Literacy & Education Levels on Children As the educational level of adults improves, so does their children's success in school; helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children. Children of adults who participate in literacy programs improve their grades and test scores, improve their reading skills and are less likely to drop out. Children's literacy levels are strongly linked to educational level of their parents, especially their mothers. Children of parents who are unemployed and have not completed high school are five times more likely to drop out than children of employed parents. Adult Literacy & Education

Child Literacy

Child Abuse & Neglect in Oklahoma and Tulsa County Reports of child abuse and neglect have increased from 51,000 in 1997 to 61,610 in FY 2005 in Oklahoma (21% increase), and from 5,835 to 7,970 in Tulsa County (37% increase). Confirmed child neglect cases make up 2/3 of the confirmed cases. These types of cases increased 4% between 2000 and Overall, confirmed cases of abuse and neglect decreased by 21% between 2000 and 2005 in Tulsa County. In Oklahoma, 14.7 of every 1,000 children are victims of abuse and/or neglect. In Tulsa County, the rate is 7.9 of every 1,000 children (54% of the state rate). Oklahoma ranks #35 in the nation in the rate of children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect. Parents make up 74.3% of all perpetrators, followed by step-parents at 7%, “no relation” at 6.8%, and grandparents at 3.8%. Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to child neglect. Child Abuse & Neglect