state of the child in bridgeport - Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition

2012
STATE OF THE CHILD
IN BRIDGEPORT
Research.
Advocate.
Educate.
Mobilize.

EARLY CARE
EDUCATION
2012 Report on the State of the Child in Bridgeport
Executive Summary
The Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC)
annual State of the Child report presents a snapshot
of the well-being of Bridgeport’s children. It gives a
grade comparing Bridgeport’s children to children
statewide and a grade for “effort” that shows if
progress has been made in key areas from one year
to the next.
This year, we draw your attention to a particularly
disturbing trend—the sharp increase in child poverty.
The number of children in Bridgeport living below the
federal poverty line rose from 31% in 2010 to almost
40% in 2011. Meanwhile, the city’s unemployment
rate hovers around 13.5%, compared to 9.2% statewide
as of August 2012.
These numbers become even more striking when
compared to conditions in the rest of Fairfield County.
The poverty rate for Bridgeport children (39.9%)
is three times higher than that of Fairfield County
(12.8%), and the unemployment rate is nearly two
times higher.
While these disparities are troubling, the difference
in family median income is alarming. The median income
of Fairfield County families with children under
the age of 18 ($109,663) is nearly four times more
than that of Bridgeport families ($29,647), a disparity
of $80,016. The gap is larger between Bridgeport
and Fairfield County than any other city and county
in Connecticut. BCAC believes that narrowing these
disparities will improve the lives of Bridgeport’s
children.
While Fairfield County as a whole has begun to see
economic recovery, Bridgeport is not sharing in this
recovery. Too many children in our community have
to contend with poverty and all its concurrent hardships.
BCAC will continue to address and highlight
these disparities while advocating for policies and
practices that will allow all Bridgeport children
the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and
well-educated.
1

A REPORT CARD
ON THE WELL-BEING
OF BRIDGEPORT
CHILDREN
KEY:
A + = more than 20% better
A = 10 - 20% better
B = 5 - 9% better
C
D
F
= less than 5% difference
= 5 - 10% worse
= more than 10% worse
GRADE
Bridgeport
vs. State
EFFORT
Progress from
previous year
GRADE
Bridgeport
vs. State
EFFORT
Progress from
previous year
Child Poverty
% Children living in poverty
F
F
Housing
Homeless children
F
B
Early Care
Families on the waiting list for
public housing
NA**
C
% Children entering school with
preschool experience
Licensed child care for infants
and toddlers
F
F
C
C
Child Safety
Children confirmed abused or
neglected
F A +
Family violence arrests
C
A
Education
% Meeting CT Mastery Test
goal in reading
F
C
Juvenile arrests***
Juvenile arrests for violent crimes***
C A +
F A
Graduation rate*
F
C
*2009 data; updated data not available
**Statewide data not collected
Child Health
Infant mortality rate*
% Low birthweight*
% Late or no prenatal care*
Teen births*
% 2-year-olds screened for lead
poisoning
F D
F C
F A +
F A
A +
C
***Data reflects arrests of juveniles under the age of 18 in 2010
and not incidents
2 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 3

THE
FACTS
Living in poverty puts
children at greater risk for
disease, poor nutrition,
poor school performance,
violence, abuse, and
homelessness.
CHILD
POVERTY
Child Poverty
Age Breakdown
Population
2011
Under the age of 5 10,160
Ages 5-9 12,414
Ages 10-14 8,870
Ages 15-17 5,759
Total Children
Bridgeport 37,203
Total Population
Bridgeport 145,634
Children as % of the
Total Population 26%
U.S. Census Bureau
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Children Under the Age of 18
African American 42%
Asian 2%
Latino 40%
Native American .08%
White 13%
Multiracial 3%
U.S. Census Bureau, average 2005-2009
• Child poverty increased significantly in 2011. According
to the U.S. Census American Community
Survey, an estimated 40% of Bridgeport children
(more than 14,400) lived in poverty ($19,090 for a
family of three) in 2011, compared to 31% in 2010.
• Bridgeport’s rate of child poverty in 2011, 40%, is
more than 21/2
times the statewide rate of 15%.
Nationwide, 22.5% of children live in poverty.
• In Bridgeport, 35% of African American children,
33% of Latino children, and 28% of white children
live in poverty.
• 72% of Bridgeport children live in families earning
less than 200% of the federal poverty level, the
income considered necessary to meet a family’s
basic needs.
• The unemployment rate in Bridgeport went up
slightly, from 13.3% in August 2011 to 13.5% in
August 2012. The statewide unemployment rate
was 9.2% in August 2012.
Child Hunger
• In July 2012, 13,070 Bridgeport children lived in
families receiving food stamps, now known as
SNAP. This number represents 390 fewer children
than in June 2011, a slight decrease of 3%. Statewide,
there was a 3% increase in the number of
children receiving SNAP.
Family Status
• In 2011, 58% of Bridgeport’s families with children
under the age of 18 were headed by a single
parent, compared to 31% statewide.
• 1,294 Bridgeport children (3%) were being cared
for by a grandparent in 2011.
4 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 5

EARLY 7000 CARE
d
6000
CARE 5000
Number of Suspensions
Percent of Students
4000
3000
2000
1000
90%
80%
70%
60% 64%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
4,377
5,163
0
Out-of-School Suspensions
Child Care Capacity and Need
Children who participate in
quality early childhood
2010-11
programs
are more likely to perform better
academically, graduate high
6,094
2011-12
5,688
school, get a job, and earn a
higher income than those children
who do not participate.
In-School Suspensions
Total Out-of-School and In-School Suspensions,
Bridgeport Public Schools
Less Than Two in Three Bridgeport Students
Have Preschool Experience
80%
Percent of Students Entering Kindergarten
with Preschool Experience 2010-11
Bridgeport
State
• 64% of kindergarten students entered Bridgeport
public schools with preschool, nursery school, or
Head Start experience in the 2010-11 school year,
compared to 65% in 2009-10. Statewide in 2010-
11, 80% of kindergarten students entered school
with preschool experience.
• In 2011, 9,826 Bridgeport children under the age of
six (80%) lived in families in which all of the adults
were in the labor force.
• In 2011, there were 860 licensed child care spaces
for infants and toddlers in Bridgeport, 30 fewer
spaces than the previous year.
• In 2011, there were 13 licensed child care spaces
per 100 children under the age of three in Bridgeport,
compared to 21 spaces per 100 children under
the age of three statewide.
Child Care Costs
Licensed child care centers
and Head Start programs 606 2,670
Licensed family day care homes 254 519
Board of Education pre-kindergarten
Infants/
Toddlers
EARLY CARE
• In the Bridgeport area, the average cost for
full-time licensed child care for one year is
$13,785 for infants and toddlers and $11,680
for preschool age children.
• In 2011, 3,193 Bridgeport children,12 fewer
children than in 2010, benefited from Care for
Kids, Connecticut’s child care subsidy program.
Child Care Quality
• 1,446 children attend Bridgeport child care
centers or preschool programs accredited by
the National Association for the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC) or its equivalent. In
addition, nearly 900 children attend programs
that meet standards estabished by Head Start.
• In 2011, 1,151 Bridgeport children receiving
state child care subsidies (36%) were in informal
child care settings, including care provided by a
grandparent, other relative, or non-related adult
in the child’s home.
BRIDGEPORT LICENSED CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM CAPACITY 2011-12
3-4
Year-Olds
full-day — 270
part-day — 482
Total 860 3,941
6 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 7

EARLY EDUCATION
EDUCATION
CARE
Student Enrollment
• There were Math 20,245 students Reading in Writing the Bridgeport Science
school system 10th as Grade of September Students Meeting 30, Goal 2011. on
Other 1%
Asian
3%
White
8%
African
American
39%
Living in poverty, overcrowded
classrooms,
high teacher turnover, and
unsafe school environments
contribute to poor student
achievement and high
dropout rates.
Latino
49%
Number of Births
400
300
200
100
0
209
99
2005
206
111
EDUCATION
Connecticut Mastery Test Results Clearly Show Achievement Gap
Wide Births Achievement to Teens Gap for High School Students
Racial and Ethnic Composition Teen Births in Bridgeport 2005-2009 20%
21.3%
Bridgeport Schools 2011-12
0% 10.3% 8.2% 10.5%
Math Reading Writing Science
• During the 2010-11 school year, 99% of Bridgeport
10th Grade Students Meeting Goal on
1000
250
public school students were economically disadvantaged
or lived in 800families earning less than 185%
200
2012 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
823
200
of the federal poverty level ($35,316 793 for 782a family of
185
600
647
150
400
three), compared to 34% 582 of students statewide.
400
• 55% 100 of Bridgeport’s Class of 2011 took the 235
300 99
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), compared 209 to 73%
201 206
1
200
50
statewide. Bridgeport students 200
Academic Performance
averaged 405 on
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011
reading, 397 on math, Latino and 402 on writing. White Statewide,
students averaged 502 on reading, 121
100
Children Confirmed as Abused and
99 505.597
111
9
Neglected in Bridgeport
Emergency room visit Rates from Asthma, children under
on math, the Age of and 18 by 506 Race on and Ethnicity, writing. Bridegport 0 2001-2005
CMT AND CAPT RESULTS
2005 2006 2007 2008 20
• 70% of Bridgeport’s graduating Class Teen Births of 2010 in Bridgeport 2005-200
Connecticut Mastery Connecticut Academic
went on to post-secondary education, compared
Test (CMT)
Performance Test (CAPT)
1400
to 86% statewide.
2012 2011 2012 1200 2011
1000
1000
Math 36.4% 35.6% 10.3% 10.3%
800
*preliminary
800
Reading 37.1% 35.5% 8.2% 10.5%
823
600
793 782
Writing 34.1% 32.6% 21.3% 21.1%
600
647
400
Science 26.9%* 24.2%* 10.5% 10.7%
582
200
400
Bridgeport Students Meeting Goal on 2012 and 2011
CMT (Grades 3-8) and CAPT (Grade 10)
200
1067 Juvenile Arrests in Bridgeport
* 5th and 8th grade only
1093
Percent of Students
80%
60%
40%
49.3%
Number of Children
0
47.5%
Number of Arrests
63.1%
20%
21.3%
0% 10.3% 8.2% 10.5%
2012 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
0
47.3%
235
121
Bridgeport
State
201
97
8 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 9
Percent of Students
80%
60%
40%
2006 2007 2008 2009
FY 2012
Percent of Students
193
94
Number of Confirmed Cases
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
0
36.4%
49.3%
60%
Births to Teens
18-19
Under the
Age of 18
African
American
68.7%
Number of Children
0
47.5%
90%
80%
70%
50%
37.1%
70.3%
Math Reading Writing
Students in Grades 3-8 Meeting Goal
on 2012 Connecticut Mastery Tests
Number of Births
63.1%
34.1%
66.7%
47.3%
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011
Children Confirmed as Abused and
Neglected in Bridgeport
Bridgeport
State
Bridgeport
State
FY 2012

port
EDUCATION
Bilingual Education
• In the Bridgeport school district, 73 different
languages are spoken.
• During the 2010-11 school year, 13% of Bridgeport
students (2,607) were not fluent in English,
30.5
compared to 5.5% of students statewide. Bilingual
education is provided in three languages: Spanish,
Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. 30.5
Class Size
Bridgeport’s Classes Larger than Classes Statewide
Students with Disabilities
• 13.3% 6000 of 300Bridgeport students 6,094(2,665) received 2011-12
special 5000
269 (85%) 121 (38.5%) 5,688
education 5,163 services in 2010-11, compared
200
to 400011.4% 4,377 statewide.
Number of Suspensions
• 67% 2000 of Bridgeport students with disabilities in the
0 46 (15%)
Class 1000 of 2009 graduated with a standard high
Kindergarten-Grade 3 Grades 4-8
school 0 diploma, compared to 81% statewide.
Out-of-School Suspensions Overcrowded In-School Classrooms, Suspensions
Bridgeport Public Schools 2010-11
Percent of Students
7000
3000
90%
80%
70%
60% 64%
50% 80
Bridgeport Public Schools 2010-11
Graduation Rate
Fewer Bridgeport Students Graduating High School
Student Discipline
EDUCATION
• 66% of 15.0Bridgeport’s Class of 2009* graduated,
compared to 91% statewide. Research indicates
10.0
that youth who do not graduate high school are
18.9 more
19.3
likely 5.0 to live in poverty and be involved in
criminal activity than those who do graduate.
10 40% 75
BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 11
30%
Number of Students
25.0
20.0 22.8 22.2
12.0
Deaths per 1,000 Live Births
15.010.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
18.4
19.9
4.0
5.0
2.0
0
Kindergarten 0.0
Grade 2 Grade 5 Grade 7
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Average Class Size, Selected Grades, 2010-11
Infant Mortality 2005-2009
Number of Classrooms
100
Total Out-of-School and In-School Suspensions,
Bridgeport Public Schools
tudents
*provisional
400
70
74.7
80%
21.8
21.2
193 (61.5%)
70.6 71.2
Bridgeport
State
23.0
2010-11 Overcrowded
Classrooms
Bridgeport
State
20.6
Bridgeport
State
Not Overcrowded
Classrooms
Numb
Percent of Students
100
0
Percent of Students
46 (15%)
Kindergarten-Grade 3
Overcrowded Classrooms,
Bridgeport Public Schools 2010-11
80
75
Grades 4-8
70 74.7 70.6 71.2
80
69.8
65
65.8
75
60
70 74.7
70.6 71.2
55
69.8
65
65.8
50
60
Class Class Class Class Class
55 of 2005 of 2006 of 2007 of 2008 of Bridgeport
2009
50
State
Class 25.0 Graduation Class Rates, Class Bridgeport Class Public Class Schools
of 2005 of 2006 of 2007 of 2008 of 2009 23.0
20.0 22.8 22.2
21.8
21.2
20.6
Graduation Rates, Bridgeport 19.9 Public Schools
18.4
High School
Number of Suspensions
Percent of Students
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
70%
60% 64%
50%
*201040%
data not available
30%
Number of Students
20%
10%
0
Kindergarten Grade 2 Grade 5
Average Class Size, Selected Grades, 2010-11
Increase in Out-of-School Suspensions and
Slight Decrease in In-School Suspensions
4,377
5,163
0
Out-of-School Suspensions
6,094
5,688
In-School Suspensions
Total Out-of-School and In-School Suspensions,
Bridgeport Public Schools
• Research
90%
shows a relationship between outof-school
suspensions and dropping out of
80%
school.
80%
Grade 7
2010-11
2011-12
Percent of Students
Bridgeport
State
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0
O
Tot
0%
P

EARLY CHILD
EDUCATION
CARE
HEALTH
Good health—including
physical, behavioral, and
oral health—is essential for
a child’s development and
well-being.
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES
IN PRENATAL CARE AND INFANT HEALTH
African
American
CHILD HEALTH
Latino
White
Infant Health
Infant Mortality & Low Birthweight Babies
• In 2009*, the infant mortality rate in Bridgeport was
7.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared
*provisional
to 7.3 in 2008, an increase of 5%. Bridgeport’s rate
was 40% higher than the state rate of 5.5.
Deaths per 1,000 Live Births
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
• In 2009*, 9.8% of all Bridgeport babies were born
400
with low birthweight (about 5.5 pounds Overcrowded at birth),
Classrooms
300
compared 269 to (85%) 10.1% in 1212008. (38.5%) Statewide, 8.0% of all
Not Overcrowded
babies 200 were born with low birthweight.
Number of Classrooms
100
Prenatal Care
0
46 (15%)
Kindergarten-Grade 3
Infant Mortality 2005-2009
Classrooms
Bridgeport
State
• In 2009*, 14.5% of Bridgeport mothers received
Overcrowded Classrooms,
late or Bridgeport no prenatal Public Schools care during 2010-11their pregnancy,
compared to 18.5% in 2008. Statewide, 12% of
mothers received late or no prenatal care in 2009.
Research show that mothers who receive late
or no prenatal care are more likely to have a
low birthweight baby than mothers who receive
prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Infant Mortality
(Infant deaths per 10.7 7.6 6.2
1,000 live births)
Low Birthweight 12.0% 9.1% 9.1%
Late or No
Prenatal Care
Child Health
13.0% 16.8% 10.7%
Infant Mortality, Low Birthweight, and Prenatal Care
by Race and Ethnicity, Bridgeport, 2009*
Bridgeport
State
18.4
Childhood Asthma
• In fall 2010, Community Allied to REACH Health Equity
(CARE) surveyed 1,707 Bridgeport residents to
determine health needs. Of the 627 respondents with
children,
Grade
14%
2
reported having
Grade
a
7child with asthma;
Average the frequency Class Size, Selected rose to Grades, 18% 2010-11 for families living in poverty.
Health Coverage
• People without health insurance are less likely to go
to the doctor, get a necessary
2010-11
medical test, or fill a
prescription than
6,094
2011-12
those 5,688with health insurance. Two-
5,163
thirds of the uninsured are working.
• According to the U.S. Census, 10% of Bridgeport
children were uninsured in 2011, compared to 4.4%
in 2010.
• As of June 2012, 25,114 Bridgeport children were
enrolled Bridgeport in Public HUSKY, SchoolsConnecticut’s health insurance
program for low-income children and their parents,
compared to 24,838 children in June 2011—a slight
increase of 1%. Statewide, enrollment Bridgeport in HUSKY
increased less than 1%.
80
30%
20%
75
*2010 data not available
10%
70 74.7
70.6 71.2
69.8
0%
65
65.8
Percent of Students Entering Kindergarten
12 60
BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION
with Preschool Experience 2010-11
STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 13
55
Percent of Students
Bridgeport’s Infant Mortality Rate Up
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
193 (61.5%)
Grades 4-8
Number of Suspensions
Percent of Students
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
90%
80%
70%
Number of Students
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0
Kindergarten Grade 5
4,377
0
Out-of-School Suspensions
Total Out-of-School and In-School Suspensions,
60% 64%
50%
40%
22.8 22.2
19.9
In-School Suspensions
80%
21.8
21.2
23.0
State
20.6
18.9 19.3
High School

CHILD HEALTH
CHILD HEALTH
Lead Poisoning
• Lead poisoning can lead to verbal, perceptual,
motor, and behavioral disabilities. African American
children are five times more likely than white children
to suffer from lead poisoning.
• The State Department of Public Health highly
recommends lead screening for children under the
age of six, and particularly for children under the age
of two. In 2010, 53% of Bridgeport children under
the age of six and 87% under the age of two were
screened for lead poisoning, compared to 52% and
86% respectively in 2009. Statewide, 66% of children
under the age of two were screened for lead.
• Of all children screened in Bridgeport in 60% 2010, 2%
(128 children) were lead poisoned, an increase of 15%
40% 49.6%
compared to 2009. Statewide, a total of 743 children
were lead poisoned, representing a less 20% than 1%
increase over 2009 levels.
Mental Health
• In a survey conducted in April 2011 by the Search
Institute for RYASAP (Regional Youth Adult Social
Action Partnership), 23% of Bridgeport students in
grades 7-12 reported feeling sad or depressed most
or all of the time and 19% reported attempting suicide
one or more times.
Oral Health
• 81% of adults with children who responded to the
fall 2010 CARE survey reported that their child had
a regular source of dental care.
Percent of Students
80%
Teen Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• In 2011, 436 Bridgeport adolescents under the age
of 20 were treated for sexually transmitted diseases,
compared to 496 in 2010, a decrease of 12%.
60%
• Bridgeport’s rate of sexually transmitted diseases in
2011 was 21 cases per 1,000 adolescents, compared
to 4 cases per 1,000 adolescents statewide.
Substance Abuse and Smoking
• In the April 2011 RYASAP Bridgeport survey, 25% of Bridgeport
State
60% 68.4%
students in
61.3%
grades 7-12 reported using alcohol at
least once during the previous month; 40% 13% used
marijuana; 10% used inhalants; and 5% smoked 35.6%
20%
cigarettes.
47.2% 44.8%
21.1%
0% 10.3% 10.7% 10.5%
Math Science Reading Writing
Teen Pregnancy
10th Grade Students Meeting Goal on CAPT
(Connecticut Academic Performance Test) 2011
Number of Births
400
300
200
100
0
209
99
2005
Teen Births Declining
235
121
201
97
206
111
Percent of Students
193
94
2006 2007 2008 2009
Teen Births in Bridgeport 2005-2009
80%
0%
Births to Teens
18-19
Births to Teens
Under the
Age of 18
9
8
7
Math Rea
Students in Grade
Connecticut Ma
5
35.5%
Preventive Health Care
• 78% of Bridgeport children born in 2008 and enrolled
800
in the State Immunization Registry and Tracking
System were vaccinated against major vaccinepreventable
diseases before they turned two,
600
400
compared to 79% statewide.
Number of Confirmed Cases
1000
200
0
642
• In 2009*, there were 94 births to teens under the age
250
of 18, a decrease of 15% compared to 2008. Teenage
200
mothers are at high risk of poverty, domestic violence,
793 782
185
716 and unemployment. Their children are seven times
150
more likely to live in poverty than other children.
582
• Bridgeport’s teen birth rate is three times the state-
50
wide rate. The 2007-09* birth rate for Bridgeport
teens ages 15-17 was 34 births per 1,000 teenage
girls, compared to the statewide rate of 11 births per
1,000 teenage girls.
FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010
Confirmed Cases of Abuse and Neglect in Bridgeport
Number of Confirmed Cases
100
0
African
American
Emergency room visit Rate
the Age of 18 by Race and E
*2010 data not available
14 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 15
sts
1400

HOUSING
Homelessness
• In 2010, 279 children spent time in a Bridgeport
homeless shelter, compared to 300 in 2009.
• The rate of children living in homeless shelters
in Bridgeport is four times the statewide rate.
In 2009-10, there were 8 homeless children in
Bridgeport shelters per 1,000 children, compared
to 2 homeless children per 1,000 children statewide.
Housing
Homeless children are at
increased risk of poor health,
developmental delays, mental
and behavioral health problems,
and lower educational
achievement.
• A parent working 40 hours a week at the minimum
wage ($8.25/hour) earns $1,430 a month. In 2011-12,
the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in
greater Bridgeport was $1,277 a month. Paying
rent is especially challenging for the 58% of
Bridgeport families headed by a single parent.
• The federal definition of affordable housing is
housing that costs no more than 30% of a family’s
1472
income. Using this definition, a wage earner would
1236
1262
have to make $24.56 an hour (three times the
minimum wage) to afford the average two-bedroom
apartment in Bridgeport.
• As of July 2012, there were 4,128 families on the
waiting list for public housing, compared to 4,322
families the previous year, a decrease of 4%.
• As of July 2012, there were 3,433 Bridgeport
families using a Section 8 voucher or a State
Rental Assistance Program (RAP) certificate,
with 1,795 families on the waiting list.
1093
*preliminary
1067
10th Grade Students Meeting Goal on
Long-term CHILD exposure SAFETY
to
violence can lead to
depression, academic
400
failure, teen pregnancy,
juvenile delinquency, and 300
adult crime.
Child Abuse
Number of Children
Reading
2012 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Significant Decline in Child Abuse
582
• The number of children in Bridgeport confirmed
as abused or neglected 1400decreased 21% from
1200
2010-11 to 2011-12. Statewide, abuse and neglect
1000
cases decreased by 18%.
600
• There were 18 children confirmed as abused or
400
neglected per 1,000 Bridgeport children in 2011-12,
200
compared to 10 children per 1,000 children statewide.
Domestic Violence
Number of Births
793
200
100
0
CHILD
SAFETY
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Teen Births in Bridgeport 2005-2009
• In 2011, there were 710 arrests for family violence in
Bridgeport, compared to 821 in 2010, a decrease of
13.5%. Children who experience domestic violence
are more likely to demonstrate aggressive behavior
than children from nonviolent homes.
209
206
• Bridgeport’s rate of family violence arrests in 2011
was 23 arrests per 1,000 families, the same as the
statewide rate.
99
235
121
823
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011
Children Confirmed as Abused and
Neglected in Bridgeport
Number of Arrests
800
0
782
201
97
647
FY 2012
111
193
94
Number of Confirmed Cases
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Juvenile Arrests in Bridgeport
250
200
150
100
50
0
Em
the
16 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 17

582
CHILD SAFETY
Juvenile Violence
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011
Children Confirmed as Abused and
Neglected in Bridgeport
FY 2012
Number of Con
100
Juvenile Arrests in Bridgeport Continue to Decline
50
0
African
American
Latino
99
Emergency room visit Rates from Asthma, children under
the Age of 18 by Race and Ethnicity, Bridegport 2001-2005
The more positive experiences
or developmental assets young
people have, White the less likely
they are to be involved in risky
behaviors and the more likely
they are to succeed in school
and in life.
NURTURING
& SUPPORT
Number of Arrests
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Juvenile Arrests in Bridgeport
Youth Development
• Quality youth development programs have been
shown to reduce juvenile crime by as much as 25%,
improve high school graduation rates by 20%,
and reduce illegal drug use by as much as 50%.
• There were 628 juvenile arrests in Bridgeport in 2010,
compared to 799 in 2009, a decrease of 21%.
• Bridgeport’s juvenile crime arrest rate in 2010 (40
arrests per 1,000 youth ages 10 to 17) was the same
as the state rate.
• In 2010, 200 arrests, 32% of all juvenile arrests in
Bridgeport, involved children under the age of 15.
Arrests for juveniles under the age of 15 decreased
19%.
• Juvenile arrests for violent crimes* in Bridgeport
decreased by 12.5% in 2010. There were 77 juvenile
arrests for violent crimes in 2010, compared to 88
in 2009.
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES ARE CRITICAL
FOR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT
Positive Experience
Living in a caring neighborhood 27%
Getting a lot of encouragement at school 41%
Caring about their school 43%
Participating in youth programs in school
or in the community
Percent of
Students Reporting
48%
Search Institute Survey Results,
Sample of Bridgeport Students Grades 7-12, April 2011
• Bridgeport’s juvenile violent crime arrest rate in 2010
(5 arrests per 1,000 youth ages 10 to 17) was more
than double the state rate (2 arrests per 1,000 youth).
* Violent crimes are defined as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery,
and aggravated assault.
18 BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION STATE OF THE CHILD IN BRIDGEPORT 2012 19

CALL TO
ACTION
BCAC calls upon concerned residents and
government at all levels—local, state, and
federal—to work with us to ensure that all of
Bridgeport’s children:
• Have equal opportunities to succeed in life
BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION
2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 549-0075 FAX (203) 549-0203 www.bcacct.org
• Grow up in families with the economic
resources to be self-sufficient
• Have access to affordable, licensed, quality
child care
• Receive a high-quality education
• Have a healthy start in life
• Have access to affordable, quality health care
• Have a clean environment
• Live in decent housing
• Live in neighborhoods that are safe and free
from violence
• Receive the nurturing and support needed to
achieve their full potential
JOIN US!
PARTICIPATE ON ONE OF OUR TASK FORCES:
Chair
Executive Director
Director of Research
Emeritus
Director of Policy
and Research
Public Policy Analyst
Outreach Associate
Health Care Organizer
Administrative Assistant
Jane F. Norgren
Mary Pat C. Healy
Barbara Edinberg
Robin Lamott Sparks
Ilana Ofgang, Esq.
Mory Hernandez
Lazaro Corro Benites
Nicole Bass
• Children’s Health and Family Economic Empowerment
• Education and Early Care
To join a Task Force,
please call (203) 549-0075, ext 10,
or visit our website at www.bcacct.org.
20
Sources are available upon request.
Information is based on the most current data available.
10/12
Photo credit, p. 1, center: Bassick High School Photography Students

EARLY CARE
A very special thank you to
ELIZABETH M. PFRIEM
NORMA F. PFRIEM FOUNDATION
for their support!
Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC) is
a coalition of organizations, parents, and other
concerned individuals committed to improving the
well-being of Bridgeport’s children through research,
advocacy, community education, and mobilization.
www.bcacct.org