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Families are Safe and Economically Stable (Somerset) (Formerly Stability) (Keep this one)

Story Behind the Curve

Somerset County’s child poverty rate is significantly and consistently well above the state percentage.Over the five year period for which data are presented, the data has also shown a consistent upward trend.The trendline predicts that this increase will continue over the next five years without effective intervention.This Indicator is one of serious concern for Somerset County.

Key informants made frequent mention of their concern over the extent of poverty in the county, especially child poverty. Much of this concern was intertwined into earlier discussions of lack of job opportunities, transportation, and adequate services.Touching on both hunger and poverty, it was noted by a few interviewees that Free and Reduced Price Meals were now being offered in the schools to all of the children in the county, without regard to income, because of the high number of qualifying children.As one said, however, “Summer is still a problem.”One interviewee put hunger at the top of a long list of all concerns in the county.

Affordable housing concerns community leaders, too.In one county town, 40% of its residents are in subsidized housing.As was noted before, a number of families are known to have relocated to Somerset in order to be able to maximize their voucher value in low rent housing.

The issues that fall within this Result have touched the lives of the disconnected youth interviewed.Two had been homeless within the past year.Adequate income, therefore hunger and involvement with the child welfare system, was a constant worry.Social service organizations (non-profits) who could help support their families, medical doctors for their children, and shopping were mostly located in Salisbury, and none had cars. Poverty was also a concern for the law enforcement officials.As was mentioned before, poverty and lack of job opportunities was their highest rated concern.After a review of preliminary Indicator data, members of the interagency focus group rated child poverty among the top three challenges the county faces.

Strategies to improve these indicators

Safeguarding Children of Arrested Parents

Active Parenting

Sustainable Somerset

Why Is This Important?

Poverty and lack of employment are so intertwined as to be almost inseparable.With these two, unfortunately, often come child hunger, homelessness, and too frequently child maltreatment.Clearly, this nexus is of primary concern to Somerset’s community.The data illustrate those concerns.All four Indicators exhibit data that are of concern and trends that predict negative trends.

Somerset County has a higher percentage of child food insecurity than is found within the state as a whole.According to Map the Meal Gap, the 2013 percentage indicates that 1,250 of the county’s 4,412 children under age 18 are food insecure.All students in Somerset County public schools now receive Free and Reduced Price Meals without regard to income because so many students met the eligibility requirements.

Data Discussion

Percentage of children under 18 whose family income is equal to or below the federal poverty threshold.

Percentage of Children under 18 Living in Poverty


2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

SOMERSET

29.8%

29.3%

32.1%

35.2%

38.1%

MD

11.8%

13.1%

13.9%

14.1%

13.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates

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