EVERY KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia

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11 th Annual Fact Book 2004 The D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative for Children and Families is a unique alliance of public and private organizations using research to support advocacy for change in human, social, and economic policies and practices of government, the private sector, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. Its mission is to advocate for the interests and wellbeing of children and families and to ensure their healthy development and future in the District of Columbia. An organizing goal of the Collaborative is to build a strong and serious child and family support movement in the Nation’s Capital.

Since the formation in 1990 of the Collaborative’s predecessor organization, the Coalition for Children and Families, over 80 individuals and organizations representing a broad and diverse group of advocates, service providers, government policy makers, universities, fraternal and volunteer organizations, and local citizens have been a part of the group.

The Collaborative supports a comprehensive approach to community building, but focuses its research and advocacy efforts on economic security, family attachment and community support, health, safety and personal security, and education.

D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative consists of: D.C. Children’s Trust Fund Overall fiscal and management responsibility Data collection, analysis and evaluation Production of publications Partner Agencies*

Child and Family Services Agency Children’s National Medical Center Council of Latino Agencies D.C. Action for Children D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation D.C. Mayor’s Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs D.C. Public Charter School Association D.C. Public Library D.C. VOICE Prevent Child Abuse of Metropolitan Washington The Urban Institute, D.C. Data Warehouse Turning The Page For more information about our partner agencies, please visit www.dckidscount.org.

*The views and opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the official position of the partner agencies, their boards, or their funders.

The D.C. KIDS COUNT initiative and this publication have been made possible with the support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Support was also provided by Community Based Child Abuse Prevention funds, which are awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Office of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Copyright © 2004. D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative for Children and Families Any or all portions of this report may be reproduced without prior permission, provided that the source is cited as: Every KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia: Eleventh Annual Fact Book, 2004, D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative for Children and Families.

The data and analysis in this Fact Book were prepared by Jennifer Comey, Jessica Cigna, and Peter Tatian of the Urban Institute's DC Data Warehouse. For more information, see: www.dcdatawarehouse.org or www.urban.org.

We appreciate your comments! Every KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia: 11th Annual Fact Book 2004 Survey

Please help us provide a high quality Fact Book that meets your needs for information on the status of children in the District of Columbia. Complete the following User Survey and mail or fax it back to us at: D.C. CHILDREN’S TRUST FUND, 1616 P Street, NW, Suite 150, Washington, DC 20036; 202-667-2477 (fax), 202-667-4940 (phone).

1. Which of the following best describes your line of work? 5. Please rate the usefulness of the following aspects of the o Education 2004 Fact Book on a scale from 1 to 5. o Research (1=Excellent, 2=Very Good, 3=Good, 4=Fair, 5=Poor) o Private Business o Elected Official Format of the 2004 Fact Book o Non-Profit Organization o Government Agency 12345 o Media o Other . Selected Indicators Health Care o 1 2345 2. Which of the following best describes your job duties? Ward Charts o Administrator o Service Provider 12345 o Marketing/Public Relations o Elected Official Neighborhood Charts/Maps o Researcher/Analyst o Reporter 1 2 3 4 5 o Educator/Trainer o Other . Data Definitions and Sources

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EVERY KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia

11th ANNUAL FACT BOOK 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

11th Annual Fact Book 2004 Survey previous page

Letter from the D.C. Children’s Trust Fund 3

Letter from the Mayor of the District of Columbia 4

Purpose of the Fact Book 5 I. Introduction 6 Overview - D.C. Report Card 8

II. Recommendations & Strategies Tracking the Progress of the D.C. KIDS COUNT Recommendations: A Starting Point 9 2004 Recommendations and Strategies 11

III. Major Trends & Changes Since Last Year’s Report 13 IV. Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being in the District of Columbia A. The District’s Population and Economy 17 B. Economic Security 20 C. Family Attachment and Community Support 22 D. Homeless Children and Families 26 E. Child Health 27 F. Safety and Personal Security 31 G. Education 36

V. Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being by Ward 43

VI. Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being by Neighborhood Cluster 47

VII. A Few Words About the Data 54

VIII. Acknowledgements 59

IX. 2004 Literacy Through Photography: Poetry and Photos 60

1 Table of Contents cont’d LIST OF GRAPHS AND TABLES The District’s Population and Economy Fig 1: Population in DC 1900-2003 17 Map 1: Share of Children Under 18 by Ward, Washington, DC 2000 17 Fig 2: Births to D.C. Residents, 1990-2002 18 Fig 3: Number of Jobs (Annual Averages), 1991-2001and June 2002, 2003, 2004 18 Fig 4: Number of Jobs in Government and Private Sector in DC, 1993-2001 (Annual Averages) and June 2002 and 2003 19 Fig 5: Number of Employed Residents in DC, 2000-2003 19 Fig 6: Unemployment Rate for DC, 1992-2003 20 Fig 7: Poverty Rate for all DC Residents, 2001-2004 20 Fig 8: Number of Children Receiving TANF Assistance in DC, 1991-2004 21 Fig 9: Number of Children Receiving Medicaid in DC, January 2000-January 2004 22 Fig 10: Percent of Children Under Age 18 by Family Type, 2004 22 Fig 11: Poverty Rate by Family Type in DC, 2004 23 Fig 12: Percent of Births to Single Mothers in DC., 1988-2002 23 Fig 13: Percent of Births to Mothers Under 20 in DC, 1990-2002 24 Fig 14: Cases Filed for Paternity in DC, 1990-2002 24 Fig 15: Cases Filed for Child Support in DC,1990-2003 25 Table 1: Subsidized Child Care Programs in DC, 2000-2004 25 Table 2: Snapshot of the Number of Homeless in DC, January 2001-January 2004 26 Fig 16: Homeless Families Applying for Shelter at Central Intake in DC, 1997-2003 27 Fig 17: Percent of Pregnant Women Receiving Adequate Prenatal Care in DC, 1993-2002 27 Fig 18: Percent of Low Birthweight Infants in DC, 1990-2002 28 Fig 19: Infant Mortality Rate Under One-Year Old in DC, 1990-2002 29 Table 3: Vaccination Coverage-3 or More Shots for Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, DC and the United States, 1999-2003 29 Fig 20: Cases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis Diagnosed in People Under Age 20 in DC, 1998-2003 29 Fig 21: AIDS Cases Diagnosed by Year Among Children 12 Years Old and Younger, 1988-2003 30 Fig 22: AIDS Cases Diagnosed Among Children 13-19 Years Old in DC, 1990-2003 30 Fig 23: Number of Child and Teen Deaths by Age Group in DC, 1998-2003 31 Fig 24: Violent Deaths to Teens Aged 15-to-19 Years Old (Accident, Suicides and Murders), 1989-2002 32 Fig 25: Cases Filed for Child Abuse in DC, 1990-2003 32 Fig 26: Cases Filed for Child Neglect in DC, 1990-2003 33 Fig 27: Disposition of Civil Orders of Protection Against Domestic Violence, DC Superior Court, 2003 33 Fig 28: Total Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court, 1990-2003 34 Fig 29: Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for Acts Against Public Order, 1990-2003 34 Fig 30: Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for Acts Against Property, 1990-2003 35 Fig 31: Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for Offenses Against Persons, 1990-2003 35 Fig 32: Change in Proportion of Charges Against Juveniles in DC, 1994, 2002 and 2003 36 Fig 33a: Racial/Ethnic Composition of DCPS Student Body, 1990-1991 37 Fig 33b: Racial/Ethnic Composition of DCPS Student Body, 2003-2004 37 Fig 34: Enrollment for DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools Combined, 1990-2003 38 Fig 35: Stanford 9 Achievement Test Scores for Reading: DCPS Students, 2000-2004 39 Fig 36: Stanford 9 Achievement Test Scores for Math: DCPS Students, 2000-2004 40 Fig 37: Percent Scoring Proficient or Advanced for Stanford 9 Test in Reading and Math: DCPS Students, 2004 40 Fig 38: Comparison of National Assessment of Educational Progress Scores for DC and Other Urban Cities: Grade 4 41 Fig 39: Comparison of National Assessment of Educational Progress Scores for DC and Other Urban Cities: Grade 8 41 Fig 40: SAT Verbal and Math Scores DC vs Nation, 2003 and 2004 42

2 3 4 PURPOSE OF THE FACT BOOK

his fact book is the eleventh This publication provides a broad per- the entire system may be impacted. annual report produced by the spective of the status of children and In devising solutions to the problems TD.C. KIDS COUNT youth in the District. We seek to facing children in the District, the Collaborative on the lives of children inform and educate our readers about interactions and relationships among and their families in the District. The the issues affecting children and their and between the components of the purpose of the Fact Book is to provide families in the District. We encour- system must be understood and the data annually about the well being of age community residents, policy mak- systemic impact of any changes con- children in the District of Columbia ers, professionals, and others who sidered. and to place statistics within a mean- work with and/or on behalf of chil- ingful context. Ten of the indicators dren and families to create conditions We urge community leaders to use reported herein were selected by the that foster the optimal health and this report, in conjunction with Annie E. Casey Foundation and development of our children. previous reports, for formulating the Center for the Study of Social strategic plans and enacting policies Policy to mirror those reported in the As usual, we stress the importance of that support children and families in National KIDS COUNT Data book family and community in the lives of the District. We hope that the Fact that the Casey Foundation produces our children. We at D.C. KIDS Book will serve as a catalyst for service annually. D.C. KIDS COUNT COUNT believe that an approach providers, business leaders, local gov- Collaborative has continued to expand based on systems theory is needed to ernment, funders, and community the original list to include additional effect real change in the District. members to continue efforts to col- indicators that are relevant to the Accordingly, children, families, com- lectively address the issues presented District of Columbia. We encourage munities, and government institutions in this report so that, ultimately, suggestions for additions from our are viewed as an interconnected all families in this great city can readers, which we will try to fill if the whole. Thus, when family support function optimally. needed data are available. systems are dysfunctional in one area,

5 I.

INTRODUCTION

his is the 11th edition of the This Fact Book begins with a Report Following the Report Card is the KIDS COUNT Annual Fact Card, which provides an easy-to-read Recommendations and Strategies sec- TBook for the District of summary of how the District com- tion, developed by the D.C. KIDS Columbia. The Fact Book brings pares to last year on selected indicators COUNT Collaborative based on data together a variety of indicators describ- of child well-being. The Report Card in the Fact Book. The recommenda- ing the well being of the District’s shows whether each indicator has tions are summarized in another easy- children and their families. We update changed for the better, become worse, to-read table and the supporting text existing indicators each year and add or remained the same compared to the describes what the collaborative would new indicators as they become avail- previous year. In this year’s Report like to see accomplished in support of able. For instance, this year’s Fact Card, 13 out of 37 indicators of child District’s children and their families in Book includes two new education well-being changed for the better, 19 the coming years. indicators that compare the perform- out of 37 indicators changed for the ance of the District’s public school worse, and the remaining five did not The next section, Major Trends and children to public school children in change at all. More indicators changed Changes, is the executive summary of other cities. for the worse this year than last year, the Fact Book. It provides a quick 19 indicators versus 12 indicators, overview of the main body of the The Annie E. Casey Foundation pro- respectively. While this may mean bad report. vides funding to all 50 states, the U.S. news for the District’s children and Virgin Islands, and the District of their families, in some cases worsening Section IV, Selected Indicators of Columbia to produce annual, state- indicators may have a different inter- Child Well-Being in the District of level KIDS COUNT reports. In addi- pretation. For example, an increase in Columbia, contains the majority of tion, the Foundation publishes a the number of paternity cases filed information on the welfare of children national-level report every year may mean that more mothers are in the District. This section presents describing the well-being of children asserting their rights and filing claims and discusses over 30 data indicators, across the United States. through the courts. mainly for the District as a whole, along with figures and tables showing trends over the past 10 years. The indicators are organized into seven sub-sections: the District’s Population and Economy, Economic Security, Family Attachment and Community Support, Homeless Children and Families, Child Health, Safety and Personal Security, and Education.

While Section IV discusses the well- being of children across the city (that is, on average), Section V compares several of the data indictors, such as child health, mortality, and child welfare, for children across the eight Jerrod Worthington - My Friend’s Writing District wards and in different racial and ethnic groups.

6 The following section, Section VI, presents four maps showing the geo- graphic concentrations of infant mortality, low-weight births, deaths for 1- to 19-year olds, and births to teenage mothers in the city’s 39 neighborhood clusters. Accompanying the maps are data tables with the values of the four indicators in each neighborhood cluster.

Throughout the Fact Book, we describe the sources of our data as well as define what the indicators mean. In compiling the indicators, we obtained data from a variety of reliable District Malik Grimes - One Way Street and federal sources and endeavored to use the most recent data available. Data for the 2004 KIDS COUNT Fact Book was compiled from: Finally, we should note that the figures the D.C. Department of Health, reported in this Fact Book may not State Center for Health Statistics always match those shown for the Administration; the D.C. Adminis- District of Columbia in the national tration for HIV/AIDS; the D.C. KIDS COUNT Data Book published Bureau of STD Control; the D.C. by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Income Maintenance Administration; This is because the data sources for the District of Columbia Courts; the similar indicators may differ across the D.C. Office of Early Childhood two reports, particularly where we rely Development; the Community on data from District of Columbia Partnership for Prevention of agencies and the national book uses Homelessness; the U. S. Bureau of the data supplied by federal sources. These Census; and the U.S. Centers for two sources sometimes use different Disease Control and Prevention, methods for collecting and compiling among others. Some of the data we the data. Neither source is necessarily present are complicated and require a better than the other. more thorough explanation than is provided in the main text. In these cases, the reader is referred to Section VII, where we define and describe the limitations of the more complicated data sources.

7 The District of Columbia’s “Report Card” for 2004

Changes Since Last Year's Report on Indices of Children's Well-Being

he District’s Increased (+), Changed Changed No Report Card, Decreased (-), for the for the Change Tinaugurated in Indicator (Year of Latest Data in Parentheses) or Same (=) Better Worse 2000, is meant only to The District's Population and Economy provide a quick snapshot Population (2003)** -X of the changes shown by Child Population (2003) -X Poverty Rate (2003)** +X this year’s indicators, Employed Residents(2003)** -X rather than a complete Unemployment Rate (2003)** +X summary of the situation. Children Receiving TANF (2004) +X Before reaching any con- Family Attachment and Community Support clusions based upon it, Percent of Births to Single Mothers (2002)** -X the reader is advised to Percent of Births to Teenage Mothers (2002)** -X consult the full text. Cases Filed for Paternity (2003) +X Cases Filed for Child Support (2003) +X The Report Card not only Children Served by Subsidized Child Care (2004) -X shows whether each of the Homeless Children and Families (2004) +X indicator has changed for Child Health the better, for worse, or Percent of Mothers with Adequate Prenatal Care (2002) +X has remained the same, Infant Mortality Rate (2002)** + X but also the most recent Percent of Low Birthweight Infants (2002) -X year for which we have New AIDS Cases Diagnosed in Children and Teens (2003): Ages 0-12 =X data on that indicator. Ages 13-19 +X Included is a column that Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Persons Under 20 (2003): shows the direction of the Chlamydia + X change in the indicator, Gonorrhea + X whether it has increased, Syphilis -X Immunization Rates (2003) +X decreased, or stayed the same. Safety and Personal Security Deaths to Children and Teens (2002) -X Violent Deaths to Teens (2002) +X On some indicators, like Teens Murdered (2002) + X immunization rates, an Cases Brought Against Parents in Superior Court (2003): increase will generally be a For Child Abuse +`X change for the better. In For Child Neglect -X other cases, such as Juvenile Cases Referred to Superior Court (2003): For All Causes +X increases in juvenile prop- For Alleged Acts Against Public Order - X erty crimes, it will be a For Alleged Offenses Against Persons +X change for the worse. On For Alleged Property Crimes +X a few indicators, such as Education children receiving TANF Combined Math/Verbal Scores on SAT (2004) +X or cases filed for paternity, Stanford 9 Tests in Reading (2004) an increase will usually First Grade** + X indicate a worsening situ- Sixth Grade =X Eleventh Grade** +X ation, with more children Stanford 9 Tests in Mathematics (2004) and their families slipping First Grade =X into poverty. But under Sixth Grade** + X some circumstances, it Eleventh Grade = X might mean that these children and families are ** Changed by only one person or one case, or by no more than one point or one percent getting the help needed to provide for food and health care.

8 Tracking the Progress of the D.C. KIDS COUNT Recommendations and Strategies (from “Every Kid Counts in the District of Columbia: A Starting Point”)

ach year, the KIDS COUNT Collaborative develops a set of recommendations and strategies that are developed based on review of the research com- Epleted by our partner agencies. It is our belief that concerted efforts by the community can make these recommendations a reality. We will attempt to track the progress of the recommendations and strategies put forth on a bi-yearly basis. We welcome the community input in tracking these recommendations in hopes that the recommendations put forth will become a reality.

However, the harsh reality is that the problems and challenges presented in this report have been generations in the making and there are no easy answers or quick fixes. Thoughtful, strategic choices, tough decisions and smart work sustained over time by the larger community are required to change these conditions. Thus, the information in this report demands close scrutiny by the whole community, and then the participation of the whole community in the development of a comprehensive community vision and a coherent, community-based strategy and plan of action. Such a plan must address the specific conditions identified in this report. It must contain specific recommendations for collaborative action by government, businesses, corporations, foundations, churches, service providers, community organizations, and individuals-each and every citizen. The plan must also include provision for follow up on its recommendations over the next several years.

In the spirit of cooperation and urgency, the KIDS COUNT Collaborative offers a set of core principles to guide the discussions and the development of a community-based vision and strategy over the next several months. They are:

FIRST, the strategy must be guided by the active participation of the people it is intended to target, for they must share in determining the most appropriate responses.

SECOND, it must focus on building external assets around children including interlocking systems of family and community support, control and structure, and internal assets (commitments, values and competencies) that foster positive child and youth development. Children must be insulated from negative influences that jeopardize healthy development. Positive social behaviors, including service to others, must be encouraged and rewarded.

THIRD, the strategy must be centered on building strong and healthy families, neighborhoods and communities if it is to move people toward greater independ- ence and self-reliance. Many programs today target individuals with an array of cat- egorical benefits that do not meet the needs of families or communities.

9 FOURTH, it must be geared to providing people with adequate incomes and jobs that pay enough to allow them to support a family and contribute fully to their community.

FIFTH, it must respond to all aspects of human, social and economic development – not just one aspect. This implies removing the barriers and access to employment, training, education, health care and other paths of opportunity – and creating entry points for that access.

SIXTH, the strategy must flow from and be adapted to local neighborhood conditions, experiences and challenges.

SEVENTH, it must engage all sectors – public, private, and non-profits – in a collaborative effort. Drawing all interests together is essential for planning and carrying out effective investments. It also requires developing mechanisms for building neighborhood capacities for problem solving and change.

EIGHTH, it must be proactive and positive, recognizing and respecting ethnic and cultural diversity and building upon the strengths and assets of the District’s children, their families, institutions and the community.

NINTH, the strategy must draw upon the vast resources and cooperation of the suburban jurisdictions. Forces affecting the human, social and economic needs of the city’s children, their families and their communities extend beyond the District’s line. Common ground on these issues must be identified, promoted and implemented for long-lasting and equitable solutions.

We invite the community to become a part of the process. We encourage you to begin dis- cussing the facts and findings in this report in your homes, places of work, neighborhood centers, places of business, among journalists and in city hall to share views and perspectives on both the challenges and the opportunities for change. We ask you to focus on how the specific problems identified in this report should be addressed and on your role in implement- ing the recommended solutions.

10 II.

The 11th Annual Every KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia Fact Book 2004 RECOMMENDATIONS & STRATEGIES

he 2004 recommendations and I. Family Attachment and scheduled for release from prison; strategies were developed based Community Support and, increase support services for Ton review of attainment of the those fathers who are already 2003 recommendations and research A. More supportive services for involved with their children; completed by the D.C. KIDS communities and families, Develop public policies, protocols, COUNT Collaborative partner especially for single heads of u and services for “disconnected” agencies. We strongly believe that household and families with youth. concerted efforts on behalf of all children who have special needs, segments of the community can make are needed: these recommendations a reality for u Given the high levels of concen- the betterment of the lives of the II. Homeless Children trated poverty in the District, tar- and Families District’s children and families. get and provide those areas most The Collaborative continues to in need, with increased resources A. The District should begin to recommend that the following two for economic security, educational move away from reliance on strategies be incorporated in all advancement, job seeking and emergency shelters and place services offered: placement services, and literacy; more emphasis on the promo- tion of obtaining and Provide respite care for the general u Continue to expand outreach u maintaining affordable housing: strategies (i.e. provide information population. Single heads of at beauty parlors, barber shops, household, parents of children u Reduce the number of chronically liquor stores, night clubs, faith with special needs, and parents homeless people in shelters by based organizations, etc.) which who are admitted into the hospi- housing them, allowing the are linguistically accessible to tal or other short-term treatment District to maintain a smaller engage more community mem- facilities are particularly in need of emergency shelter system that bers in programs; these services; can adequately serve people and families with a short crisis of Continue to provide subsidized u All services provided should be u homelessness; culturally competent and linguis- child care for families who have tically accessible. left TANF for up to 24 months; u Targeted investment and development in low-income Provide culturally competent uni- u communities; versal life skills education for all youth, especially targeting chil- u Increase the number of affordable dren of single heads of household, housing units for low and middle youth with special needs, and chil- income families; dren in foster care; u Establish “second chance” homes u Continue to increase the number for teen parents on the brink of of parent mutual support groups homelessness; so that they are available in every Provide affordable housing with neighborhood; u necessary case management and u Continue to provide more pro- clinical support services for heads grams to encourage and facilitate of households who are aged, per- the involvement of fathers, partic- sons struggling with addictions, John Sweeney - Kindergarten ularly targeting fathers who are HIV/AIDS and mental illness.

11 III. Child Health u Increase the amount of substance V. Education abuse prevention education for u Continue to provide targeted pre- youth and youth workers. A. Educational achievement levels natal care for vulnerable mothers, of students must be improved: including women who abuse sub- C. Continue to increase activities stances, teens, women with and/or programs to prevent u Increase D.C. students’ test scores HIV/AIDS, and single mothers; and/or reduce child abuse and in reading and math, as well as SAT scores in comparison to other Ensure that the Women’s, Infants, neglect: u states and urban areas; and Children (WIC) supplemen- u Support universal parenting edu- tary food program resources are cation which is culturally compe- u Decrease the achievement gap adequate to meet the need of tent; among all ethnic groups of impoverished families; District students on standardized u Provide education on the District’s tests; u Continue educational efforts and child abuse/neglect laws (to outreach to parents/general public include new immigrants and non- u Increase the graduation rates of on the importance of immuniza- English speaking residents); District students annually by tions; 10%; u Recommend acceptance of a city u Identify and enhance opportuni- ordinance that states the age and u Ensure that all District parents ties for early childhood education conditions under which a parent have access to various schooling about dental care and oral disease; can legally leave their child(ren) options for their children; u Enhance educational programs to home unsupervised; u Provide high-quality, on-going teach children proper nutrition professional development to u Develop strategies for serving and healthy eating to decrease the underage youth who are living on teachers and principals about ways prevalence of obesity. their own; to build high-achieving, standards-driven, strong learning u Continue to develop strategies communities for students and IV. Safety and and procedures for addressing the staff; Personal Security intersection between domestic violence and child abuse/neglect; u Ensure that all schools are safe, A. Efforts to combat violence should well-maintained, and have suffi- be continued and expanded: u Encourage the Child & Family cient materials and equipment; Services Agency to collect and u More clearly align D.C. Public u Increase the availability of alterna- release data on the types of abuse tive activities for youth, especially and neglect by race and ethnicity, Schools annual student assess- during after school hours and and develop culturally competent ments and curriculum with the summertime; strategies to address each type; D.C. Public Schools standards;

u Build high-quality partnerships u Continue campaigns to reduce the u Ensure that at-risk mothers have availability of guns, especially to access to home visitation pro- with community organizations in youth; grams designed to address their the greater Washington, D.C. needs; area to help increase student u Expand non-violent conflict reso- achievement; lution education through partner- u Create adequate slots for afford- ships with youth. able child care for special needs u Schools should develop engage- children; ment strategies to include parents B. Continue to enhance substance as partners in their children’s abuse prevention and treatment u Continue to cross train child mal- education. services: treatment, domestic violence, other family violence service u Increase treatment services for sin- providers, and policy makers; gle mothers, their children, and Provide more effective services for adolescents (including the number u batterers to end intimate partner of beds available to women at abuse. treatment centers);

12 III.

MAJOR TRENDS AND CHANGES SINCE LAST YEAR’S REPORT

everal indicators of the well trast, 12 percent of all children were being of children and their non-Hispanic white, while nearly Sfamilies living in the District 28 percent of the total population worsened in 2004 compared to was white. Hispanic children were 2003. While this may reflect a more 10 percent of children. In compar- dire situation for District children ison, 8 percent of all people were and their families, in some cases Hispanic. worsening indicators may have a different interpretation. For exam- u The number of jobs in the ple, an increase in the number of District increased 1 percent in June paternity cases filed may mean that 2004 compared to June 2003 and more mothers are asserting their was driven mainly by an increase in rights and filing claims through the private sector jobs. This growth con- courts. Another example is that an tinues the trend of increasing jobs in increase in filings for child abuse the District since 1998, a positive may mean that more cases are being period. Demographers have found sign as more jobs the city provides, the reported by the community or that that this was due to singles and child- better the city’s municipal budget and the responsible D.C. agency may be less couples moving into the city while the better the economic prospects for more active in protecting abused chil- families with children moved out. the District’s residents. dren. Therefore, the indicators in this The percent of employed District report need to be evaluated in the u As the family population has u larger policy and program context of dropped, the number of children liv- residents is on a downward trend, the city. ing in the District has also declined. however. While the decreases are mod- However, even with a decrease in the est (a less than 1 percent decrease in The following is a summary of the child population, the majority of chil- 2003), this suggests that the majority indicators for the seven categories of dren are still concentrated east of the of new jobs are not going to District child well-being reported in detail in Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8. residents. Similarly, the District’s esti- Section IV. mated unemployment rate of 7.6 percent increased by less than one per- u The number of births declined modestly in 2002 by 1.7 percent. centage point in 2003. In comparison The District’s Population This trend is understandable, since the the Washington suburbs unemploy- and Economy District’s population declined. It may ment rate was only 3.6 percent in be further explained by shifts in the 2003. u The population of the District of composition of the District’s popula- Columbia continued its downward tion – with a larger portion of young trend in 2003. Although the District, singles and childless couples moving Economic Security and like most other eastern cities, experi- into the city, and women of child- Insecurity enced a large loss in population since bearing age and families moving out. the 1950s, these losses have begun to u Poverty in the District, which was level off in recent years. Furthermore, u The 2000 Census reported that already high in 2000, increased further while the drop in population from 75 percent of all children in the in 2003. In 2000, 16.8 percent of 1990 to 2000 was close to 35,000 per- District were non-Hispanic African District residents (both adults and sons, the number of households American, compared to only 61 per- children) were living below the federal remained relatively the same over this cent of the total population. In con- poverty level. By 2003, the estimated

13 poverty rate was 18.2 percent. While Family Attachment and child care decreased by 2,175 children research has shown that overall pover- Community Support or 12 percent, reaching 16,561 chil- ty rates decreased nationwide in 2000, dren in 2004. The decrease was driven in cities like Washington, D.C. the primarily by a reduction of children u Of the District’s children under concentration of poverty increased. age 18, 57 percent lived with a single served by programs offered by the Sixty-six (66) District census tracts mother, about one-third (35 percent) Office of Early Childhood had more than 30 percent of people lived in married-couple families, and Development. living in poverty, up from 46 census another 4 percent lived with a single tracts in 1990. Most of these tracts father in 2004. The remaining u The number of children waiting were clustered East of the Anacostia 4 percent lived with extended family to receive subsidized child care River in Wards 7 and 8. members or nonrelatives. increased by 21 percent between 2003 and 2004. This increase in the waiting Nearly 37 percent of children list may be due to the fact that fewer u u Single women with children are living in the District were estimated more likely than other types of fami- children have been served over the to be living in poverty in 2003. The lies to be in poverty. Among District past three years, as well as the possibil- poverty rate for African American children living in families headed by ity that families are experiencing more children was the highest among the single females (including not only sin- economic hardship. District’s major racial and ethnic gle mothers, but also husbandless groups at 45 percent in 2003. In grandmothers, aunts, and other female comparison, the child poverty rate for relatives), 53 percent were in poverty Homeless Children and Hispanics was 24 percent and for non- in 2004. Families Hispanic whites it was 17 percent. u The percent of births to single u Homelessness in the District has u The number of children in the mothers fell for the sixth consecutive increased for the third consecutive District receiving TANF subsidies (or year in 2002 to 56 percent. The per- year, although it is the smallest welfare) increased by 3 percent cent of births to teenage mothers also increase of the three years. The total between June 2003 and June 2004. dropped for the sixth consecutive year number of homeless people in January This is the third consecutive yearly (albeit modestly) by 0.5 percentage 2004 was 8,253, an increase of 303 increase, although the rate of growth points to 12.8 percent in 2002. This persons or 3.8 percent since January has been relatively modest over this downward trend reflects a national 2003. Of the 8,253 homeless people, period. Historically, TANF caseloads decline in teenage births. Some specu- 6,105 persons were literally homeless reached their lowest level in the late, however, that the downward (or living in shelters or on the streets) District in 2001. The recent slow but trend in the District is partly due to in the District – 42 percent of whom steady increase in D.C. TANF case- population loss among women of (2,552) were persons in families. The loads matches national trends. childbearing age, particularly younger number of people who were counted women. as permanently supported homeless u The number of child food stamp recipients in June 2004 increased by u The number of less than 1 percent compared to June cases filed for paternity 2003. This is much lower than the increased by more than 10 percent increase between June one-quarter between 2002 and June 2003. Food stamp 2002 and 2003, while receipt may be a better economic indi- the number of child cator than the unemployment rate, support cases increased which can be artificially deflated when a modest 3 percent. discouraged workers give up trying to find jobs. u The number of children served by sub- u The number of children receiving sidized child care con- Medicaid has increased each year since tinued to decline for 2000. The number of children and the third straight year youth under age 21 receiving in 2004. The estimated Medicaid in January 2004 increased number of children by 4 percent from the previous year. receiving subsidized Mariah French - My Door

14 (or those in supportive housing at risk adolescent AIDS cases tracked between of becoming homeless) was 2,148 — 1980 and 2004, 96 percent (or 77 ado- 32 percent of whom (684) were per- lescents) were African American. sons in families. u The number of homeless families Safety and Personal applying for shelter in the District Security continued to increase, making it almost 2.5 times greater than year u The number of deaths to children 2000. In 2003, 3,100 families applied and teens remained nearly the same in for emergency shelter through the 2002, decreasing from 153 deaths in District’s central intake facility. These 2001 to 151 deaths in 2002. families included approximately 6,000 children. District surpassed the national average: u Deaths to children under one-year 96.5 percent of District children in old constituted 57 percent of all youth the appropriate age range received the deaths, totaling 86 deaths in 2002. Child Health vaccinations compared to 96.0 percent Most of the deaths in the first year of nationally. In addition, a greater per- life occurred from conditions originat- u The share of District mothers centage of District children received ing in the perinatal period, and a receiving adequate prenatal care con- the vaccinations compared to other portion of the decline in deaths can tinued to rise in 2002, a positive major cities with large poverty rates. be attributed to improvements in pre- trend. At 68.7 percent of all births in natal care over time. 2002 for which care is reported, this is u There were fewer than five report- an increase of almost 10 percentage ed new AIDS cases among children 12 u Deaths to children ages 1- to points since 1999. The share of moth- years and younger in the District in 14-years old decreased by 9 cases to a ers receiving inadequate care dropped 2003, the same number since 1999. total of 19 deaths in 2002. Forty-six from 11.4 percent to 9.7 percent. Commonly, children ages 12 years and (46) deaths occurred to youths 15- to younger contract AIDS from their 19-years old in 2002. This follows a u Low birth weights (that is, birth mothers who are HIV positive. The gradually increasing trend since 2000. weights of 5.5 pounds or less) have dramatic decline in the number of had an overall small and incremental cases since the mid-1990s is due largely u Violent deaths accounted for 85 downward trend for over 10 years. In to the wide spread use of Zidovudine percent of all deaths to older teens or 2002, the proportion of all births that or AZT in pregnant women who test 39 of the 46 deaths in 2002. Until were low weight was 11.6 percent, a positive for HIV. Of the few children 2002, violent teen deaths were on a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from who were diagnosed with AIDS in downward trend. Violent deaths in 2001. 2003, all were African American, a this category include accidents, sui- pattern consistent with 2002. cides, and murders. u Infant mortality rose slightly in 2002 to 11.5 deaths per 1,000 live u The total number of new cases for u The number of cases filed for births for children under the age of the three most common sexually child abuse increased by 18 percent in one, an increase of less than one per- transmitted diseases diagnosed in chil- 2003, approaching the high levels of centage point from 2001. It is at the dren and youth under 20-years old in 2001. Child neglect cases decreased by second lowest level in the past 13 the District – chlamydia, gonorrhea, 32 percent, continuing a downward years. Growing numbers of mothers and syphilis – increased by 5 percent trend that started in 1998. The two who received adequate or intermediate in 2003. This increase was primarily agencies that work with abused and care most likely account for the dra- driven by an increase in gonorrhea. neglected children – the D.C. Child matic reduction in infant mortality and Family Service Agency (CFSA) over the previous decade. However, u New diagnoses of AIDS cases and Family Court – have undergone poor economic factors may hamper for District children and youth ages significant changes to better respond efforts at improvement. 13- to 19-years old increased slightly to the needs of abused and neglected in 2003 from less than five cases to six children. u Since 2001, the District has made cases. All new adolescent AIDS cases steady gains in the percentage of chil- in 2003 were between 16- and 19- u The total number of filings for dren receiving vaccinations for com- years old and all contracted the disease order of protections increased in 2003, mon childhood diseases. In 2003, the through sexual activity. Of the total but the percent granted did not signif-

15 icantly change. The number of new Education that the higher performing students filings made for civil protection orders leave the public school system over against domestic violence increased by u The D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) time or that students who remain in 299 new filings or 8 percent in 2003. enrollment continues its downward the system may be learning less than Filings have gradually increased since trend in the 2003-04 school year, a 4 students do on average nationally. 1999, implying that more of those percent decline from the 2002-03 needing legal protection have school year. Declining enrollments are u DCPS students’ Stanford 9 math approached the court. Fifty (50) per- to be expected given the shrinking scores also increased slightly or cent of petitions were never heard by a child population in the District. remained the same in 2004. Five of judge in 2003 due to victims not fol- However, an increase in public charter the grades scored above the national lowing through with court proceed- school enrollments makes up some of average in 2004. Analyzing the math ings – a percentage that has stayed this difference. scores across grades, the pattern is sim- approximately the same since 2000. ilar to those of the reading scores. First The remainder of the petitions that u The DCPS ethnic and racial through 6th grade (excluding 4th were granted civil protection orders makeup remained the same in the grade) shows a general upward trend remained roughly the same in 2003 2003-04 school year compared to the in their math scores, while the older compared to 2002. 2002-03 school year. However, the grades (9th through 11th) show a gen- DCPS student body is slightly more eral downward trend. The possible u Juvenile cases referred to the D.C. diverse when compared to the 1990- explanations for these decreases are Superior Court increased by 8 percent, 91 school year since the proportion of similar to those for reading. breaking the downward trend of the Hispanic students has increased. past six years. “Public Order” cases u Enrollment in public charter u The percentage of DCPS students against juveniles (mainly involving schools continues to rise – the sixth scoring proficient or advanced in drugs and weapons) was the only cate- consecutive increase since the first Stanford-9 reading and math scores gory to decrease in number in 2003, charter school was established in decreased significantly for students at albeit by only 1 percent. Property 1997. Public charter school enroll- higher grade levels. In the first grade, crimes increased in 2003 by 17 per- ment increased by 18 percent in more than 50 percent of students cent, a significant increase and a rever- school year 2003-04 compared to started out as proficient or advanced sal of the previous downward trend. school year 2002-03, and the charter in reading and math in 2004. Only 13 Three-fourths of these crimes were enrollment increased by 282 percent percent of 11th graders scored profi- automobile thefts, up from 65 percent since the first charter school began in cient or advanced in reading, however, in 2002. Crimes against persons 1997. and only 8 percent scored these levels (mainly assaults) also increased by in math. 14 percent from 2002. u DCPS students’ Stanford-9 reading test scores increased slightly or u On average in 2003, the District’s remained the same in 2004. This is an public and public charter students improvement over last year’s decline in generally rated lower on basic reading reading scores, although the scores still and math skills compared to students fall below the in other urban areas. District students national average. had lower average National Looking at the Assessment of Educational Progress reading scores (NAEP) reading scores than students across grades, 1st in eight of the nine other cities tested, through 3rd and they scored lower in math than grades’ scores their counterparts in all nine cities. tended to increase over the five-year u Average SAT scores for DCPS time period, students remained below the national while grades 9th average in 2004, although their scores and 10th have increased slightly from the previous tended to slope year. DCPS students raised their com- downward. Two bined average SAT score by 14 points possible explana- from 2003 – an increase of 6 points in tions for this are math and 8 points in verbal. Le‘Andrea Johnson - Dismissal

IV.

SELECTED INDICATORS OF CHILD WELL-BEING In the District of Columbia Figure 1 Population and Economy Figure 1 1. Population in the District of Population in DC Columbia continued its slightly 1900 - 2003 downward trend in 2003. (Fig. 1) 900 802.2 800 764 756.7 The latest figures released by the 700 663.2 638.4 Census Bureau put the District’s pop- 606.9 ulation at 563,400 in 2003. This is a 600 572.1 572.7 569.2 563.4 486.9 drop of 5,800 persons in just one year, 500 adding to a total loss of 8,700 people 437.5 400 since 2000. The Census had previous- 331.1 Populat 278.7 ly estimated the District’s 2001 popu- 300

lation to be 573,800, an increase of ion 200

1,700 persons. This estimate, however, (1000s) along with the 2002 estimate has 100 recently been revised downward based 0 on updated information. The revised 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2001* 2002* 2003* Source: U.S. Census Bureau figure for 2001 now stands at 572,700 *estimated and revised from 2003 Kids Count Fact Book and the estimated population for 2002 is now 569,200. These revisions show that the District has continued to Map 1 slowly lose population over the last 13% three years. Share of Children Under 18 by Ward Ward 4 Although the District, like most other Washington, D.C. eastern cities, has experienced a large 2000 loss in population since the 1950s, 8% these losses have begun to level off in Ward 3 11% 13% recent years. Furthermore, while the Ward 1 Ward 5 drop in population from 1990 to 2000 was close to 35,000 persons, the 5% number of households remained rela- 17% Ward 2 10% tively constant over this period. Ward 7 Ward 6 Demographers have found that this 2. As the number of families with was due to singles and childless cou- children dropped, the number ples moving into the city while fami- of children living in the lies with children moved out. District also declined. (Map 1) 22% The latest Census estimates deter- Ward 8 mined that 108,403 children under age 18 lived in the District in 2003. This is a 3,700 drop in child popula-

Figure 2 tion in just one year. (The Census estimated the number of children at Figure 2 Births to DC Residents 112,128 in 2002.) In 2000, the Census 1990 - 2002 counted 114,992 children in the District of Columbia, which is a 6 per- 14,000 cent drop in three years. 11,806 12,000 11,650 10,939 The majority of children in the city 10,614 9,911 10,000 are concentrated east of the Anacostia 8,993 River in Wards 7 and 8 (see Map 1). 8,377 7,916 These two wards are home to 39 per- 8,000 7,678 7,513 7,666 7,621 7,494 cent of all children in the District.

Another one-third of children live in Numb 6,000 Wards 4, 5, and 6. er of 4,000 3. The number of births decreased Bi rths to 7,494 in 2002 – a decline of 2,000 1.7 percent. (Fig.2) 0 In 2002, 7,494 births were recorded 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 for District of Columbia residents by Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration the D.C. State Center for Health Statistics. This is a small decline of about 1.7 percent in the number of down by age and race. However, the were 10 percent of children. In com- births from the previous year, continu- 2000 Census reported that 75 percent parison, 8 percent of the total popula- ing a decade-long downward trend. of all children in the District were tion were Hispanic. While it is unlikely This trend is understandable, since the non-Hispanic African American that these percentages have changed District’s population has declined. It compared to only 61 percent of the much since 2000, the trend over the may be further explained by shifts in total population in the city. In con- past decade has been a decrease in the the composition of the District’s popu- trast, 12 percent of all children were African American and white popula- lation – with a larger portion of young non-Hispanic white, while nearly tions and an increase in the number of singles and childless couples moving 28 percent of all people were non- Hispanic and Asian persons living in into the city, and women of child- HispanicFigure white. 3 Hispanic children the District. bearing age and families moving out.

The racial breakdown of women who Figure 3 gave birth mirrors the overall population distribution of the city: 60 per- Number of Jobs in DC cent of all births in 2002 were to 1991 - 2001 (Annual Averages) and June 2002, 2003, 2004 African American women. This is a decrease of 220 births from 2001, or a 700

nearly 2.4 percentage point drop in ) 677.3 673.6 the share of total births to African 680 670.7 669.6

Americans. Nearly one-quarter of all 1000s 658.8 births in 2002 were to white women, s ( 660 650.3 650.9 660.7 642.6 651.8 an increase of 42 births from the pre- Job vious year. The share of births to 640 er of 623.1 627.3 mothers of Hispanic heritage remained 618.4 the same, accounting for 13 percent of 620

Numb 613.4 all births. 600 4. Three-quarters of all children in the District are African American. 580 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Jun-02 Jun-03 4-Jun

The Census Bureau has not published Source: D.C. Department of Employment Services, Labor Market Information & Research 2003 population estimates broken 18 Figure 4

(excluding an upswing in 2001). This Figure 4 trend is not surprising as the early Number of Jobs in Government and Private Sector in DC 2000s was a troubled economic period 1993-2001 (Annual Averages) and June 2002 and 2003 for the nation. With the economic upswing of the region and the nation 800 Private Government in the last year, hopefully the near ) 700 660.7 jobs future will bring employment to more residents. Nevertheless, given the pre-

1000s 600

s ( viously noted upturn in the number 500 of jobs in the District in recent years, Job one might have expected employment 400 er of to begin to rise as well. The fact that

300 it has not suggests that many of the Numb new jobs being created are going to 200 suburban commuters rather than to

100 District residents.

0 7. The District’s unemployment 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Jun-02 Jun-03 rate increased. (Fig. 6) Source: D.C. Department of Employment Services, Labor Market Information & Research According to the U.S. Bureau of 5. The total number of jobs in the 6. The number of District residents Labor Statistics, the District’s estimat- District of Columbia continued who were employed stayed ed unemployment rate was 7.6 per- to grow moderately. (Fig.3 and approximately the same since cent in 2003, an increase of less than Fig. 4) last year. (Fig. 5) one percentage point from the estimated annual rate in 2002. The According to the D.C. Department of The number of District residents who unemployment rate in the District Employment Services, the total num- were employed in 2003 decreased to has been gradually rising since 2000, ber of jobs located in the District grew 290,000 people, a decline of less than although it remains lower than the to 669,600 in June of 2004, an increase 1 percent since 2002, according to the 1990 rates. The national unemploy- of 1 percent from June 2003 (see Fig. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This ment rate in 2003 was 6.1 percent, 3). This growth continues the trend of modest decrease follows a trend of and the Washington suburbs’ unem- increasing jobs in the District since falling employment since 1999 ployment rate was only 3.6 percent 1998, a positive sign as the more jobs in 2003. the city provides, the better the city’s Figure 5 financial situation. However, this statistic refers to the number of people Figure 5 who work in the District – many of whom may actually live in the sub- Number of Employed Residents in DC urbs. 2000 - 2003 310 The growth in the total number of 301 300 297 00s 300

jobs over the past five years has been ) 292 292 driven by an increase in private sector 291 298 290 jobs (see Fig. 4), which is partially due ents (10 290 280 to increases in federal contracting, 280 tourism, and finance. Research from d Resid 272 274 the Urban Institute has shown that the oye 270

District’s private sector growth nearly Empl 263 matched that of the Washington 260 region overall. The Washington region 250 as a whole weathered the economic 240 downturns of the early 2000s well, 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 and has since proven to be one of the fastest growing regions nationally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS

Figure 6

2003, the CPS-estimated poverty rate Figure 6 Unemployment Rate for DC was 18.2 percent, 1.4 percentage 1992 - 2003 points above the 2000 figure. This means that nearly two in 10 D.C. resi- 12 dents are currently considered to be living below the federal poverty level. 10 9.6 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.8 8.6 8.5 While research has shown that overall 7.6 poverty rates decreased nationwide in 8 7.1 6.6 6.7 2000, in certain locations, particularly 6.1 where poverty is concentrated, poverty ent 6 rates actually grew. In cities like

Perc Washington, D.C., the concentration 4 of poverty increased: 66 District census tracts had more than 30 percent of 2 people living in poverty, up from 46 census tracts in 1990. Most of these

0 tracts were clustered east of the 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Anacostia River, in Wards 7 and 8. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS Besides being located in Wards 7 and 8, there were other similarities among Economic Security al Current Population Survey (CPS). these concentrated poverty tracts in Because of differences between these the District. All had a large African 1. Poverty in the District, which was two data sources, direct comparisons American majority: 84 percent of resi- already high in 2000, increased between 2000 and later years are not dents living in tracts with poverty rates further in 2003. (Fig. 7) possible. (For a fuller explanation, of 30 percent or higher were African readers are referred to Section VII, American in 2000, although this share The 2000 Census found that the “A Few Words About the Data.”) dropped from 1990 when it was 87 District’s poverty rate rose to 20.2 per- percent. There were also low employ- cent from 16.9 percent in 1990. To The CPS found that 16.8 percent of ment levels in the concentrated pover- determine if the District’s poverty rate District residents (both adults and ty tracts. Women were more likely to changed in 2003, we must use another children) were living below the live in high poverty tracts than men. data source, theFigu Censusre 7 Bureau’s annu- federal poverty level in 2000. By While the D.C. citywide ratio of men to women was nine to ten, there were only eight men in these tracts for every ten women. Single-parent Figure 7 Poverty Rate for All DC Residents households were more prevalent in 2001 - 2003 concentrated poverty tracts. 30 According to the 2000 Census, 28 percent of the households in these

25 tracts were single-parent families, as compared to 12 percent for the city as 18.9 a whole. High levels of poverty among 20 18.1 18.2 16.8 children follow from low employment cent rates and large numbers of single- Per 15 earner families.

10 2. The poverty rate for the District’s children is far higher than the rate for the total population. 5 As measured by the 2000 Census, the 0 poverty rate among children in the 2000 2001 2002 2003 District was 31.7 percent – 11.5 per- Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau centage points greater than that for 20

Figure 8 persons of all ages. The Current Population Survey (CPS) estimated Figure 8 29.1 percent of children were living in poverty in 2000 (a lower estimate than Number of Children Receiving TANF Assistance in DC the 2000 Census – refer to Section 1991 - 2004 VII, “A Few Words About the Data” 60,000 for an explanation). By 2003, nearly 50,423 50,735 48,992 37 percent of children were estimated 50,000 46,693 46,556 en 42,649 to be living in poverty according to ldr 41,165 38,817 40,000 the CPS. Chi 33,049 32,225 33,211 of 31,292 31,562 3. Poverty rates among the 30,000 District’s African American Number children continue to be far higher 20,000 than for any other major racial or ethnic group. Children living 10,000 with single mothers are also more likely to be in poverty than 0 those in other kinds of families. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Jun-00 Jun-01 Jun-02 Jun-03 Jun-04 Source: Income Maintenance Administration, D.C. Department of Human Services Note: Missing data for 1999 According to the Current Population Survey (CPS), the poverty rate for African American children was the 2001. The city was successful at national economic forces affect highest among the District’s major decreasing welfare caseloads by more whether families can find work, and racial and ethnic groups at 45 percent than 30 percent since the TANF pro- the economic challenges in the early in 2003. In comparison, the child gram replaced Aid to Families with part of this decade are reflected in the poverty rates were 24 percent for Dependent Children (AFDC) in rising caseload numbers. Individual Hispanics and 17 percent for non- 1997. Most notably, these decreases challenges also face adult recipients as Hispanic whites. (It should be noted came amidst non-punitive policies they try to move from welfare to work that the sample size for non-Hispanic such as the District choosing not to — functional illiteracy is an often- poor whites was quite small, only four impose a shorter time limit for TANF cited problem, as well as lack of child children.) recipiency, as was done in some states, care. Currently, TANF recipients who and the District operating a non-time receive subsidized child care lose that 4. The number of children in the limited, separate state-funded program, support once they are employed. District receiving TANF subsidies the Program on Work, Employment As noted previously, not all District increased for the third and Responsibility (POWER), for families seem to be benefiting from consecutive year. (Fig. 8) individuals who are unable to work recent economic gains in the region due to a physical disability, mental and the city. The number of children receiving sub- health problem, learning disability, or sidies through Temporary Assistance substance abuse problem. In addition, 5. The number of children for Needy Families (TANF), more even though adults may be sanctioned receiving food stamps has stayed informally referred to as “welfare,” (or have their TANF benefits withheld approximately the same. grew to 33,211 in June 2004 – an due to not meeting certain criteria), increase of 3 percent since June 2003, the adult’s children may still continue The number of child food stamp according to the D.C. Department to receive their portion of the benefits. recipients stayed approximately the of Human Services, Income Mainten- In 2004, the D.C. Income Mainten- same between June 2003 and June ance Administration, the District ance Administration, placed 10,000 2004. According to the D.C. government agency that administers adults in unsubsidized employment. Department of Human Services, TANF. This is the third consecutive Eighty percent of those who were Income Maintenance Administration, annual increase in child TANF recipi- placed have remained employed after the number increased by less than ents, although the rate of growth has 90 days. one percent, totaling 38,990 child been modest over this period. recipients in June 2004. In contrast, The recent slow but steady increase in the number of children receiving food Historically, TANF caseloads reached TANF caseloads in the District match- stamps increased by 10 percent their lowest level in the District in es national trends. Regional and between June 2002 and June 2003.

The District has a successful history in 6. The number of children be due to these efforts. In fact, the enrolling eligible participants in the receiving Medicaid has increased District has been recognized by The food stamp program. In recent years, each year since 2000. (Fig. 9) Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s the District has been among the top D.C. Covering Kids Initiative for its two states in food stamp participation, The number of children and youth efforts to adopt progressive, customer- having enrolled 100 percent of eligible under age 21 receiving Medicaid in friendly policies to promote Medicaid participants in 1999 and 85 percent in January 2004 was 71,953 according to enrollment. The increasing number of 2000, the two most recent years for the D.C. Department of Human Medicaid recipients may also suggest which data are available. In 2004 the Services, Income Maintenance Admin- that the degree of economic hardship District was recognized by the U.S. istration. This was a 4 percent increase faced by District residents has been Department of Agriculture for having between June 2003 and June 2004, worsening. one of the highest Participant Access and the fourth consecutive year of Rates in the nation, a measure estab- increases. The rate of growth in child lished under the bonus structure Medicaid recipients over the past four authorized by the Farm Bill. This years has fluctuated between 1 and 5 Family Attachment and suggests that most of those eligible are percent, but overall the number has Support currently receiving food stamps. Food risen 13 percent since January 2000. stamp receipt may be a better indica- 1. Nearly two-thirds of children in tor of economic hardship than the Access to Medicaid was once restricted the District lived in single-parent unemployment rate, as the latter can to the very poorest, but in 1997 it was households, which were headed be artificially deflated when discour- extended by Congress to families with mostly by women. (Fig. 10) aged workers quit looking for work children living in households with and thus take themselves out of the incomes under 200 percent of the Of the District’s 108,672 children labor force. The fact that the number poverty line. This includes many of under age 18 counted by the 2004 of food stamp recipients was approxi- the working poor who had previously Current Population Survey (CPS), the mately the same as last year suggests been unable to afford adequate med- largest share, 57 percent, lived with a that the degree of economic hardship ical care. Proper medical care for chil- single mother. Thirty-five percent or faced by District residents has not dren can prevent serious health prob- 38,069 children lived in married-cou- decreased over the past year. lems later in life. The D.C. Income ple families. Another 4,401 or 4 per- Maintenance Administration has cent lived with a single father. The made serious efforts to enroll all who remaining 4 percent lived with other family members or nonrelatives. are eligible for MedicaidFigu reand 1 0the Figure 9 increases in Medicaid recipients may

Figure 9 Figure 10 Number of Children Receiving Medicaid in DC Percent of Children Under Age 18 by Family Type January 2000 - January 2004 2004 80,000 4% 71,953 69,003 Single Male-Headed 70,000 67,282 63,535 64,320 4% Family Extended 60,000 Family and 35% en 50,000 Non-Family ldr Married Couple

Chi Family of 40,000

Number 30,000 57% 20,000 Single Female-Headed 10,000 Family

0 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04

Source: Income Maintenance Administration, Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau D.C. Department of Human Services

22 Figure 11

data on employ- Center for Health Statistics. This is posi- Figure 11 ment in the District tive news, considering the above statistics from 2000 through Poverty Rate by Family Type in DC that children in single-female headed 2002, we know that households tend to be poorer than chil- 2004 rate of pay has dren in married households. Of the total 60 increased greatly for number of births to single women in 53% those with moder- 2002, 44 percent were to those who 50 ate to high incomes, lived east of the Anacostia River and over but has grown more 80 percent were to African-American 40 slowly for the low- single mothers. est wage-earners. 30 Based on these data, 4. Births to mothers under age 20 Per we can assume that continued to fall in 2002. c

ent the incomes for the 20 15% (Fig. 13) District’s poor fami-

10 6% lies most likely have Most District of Columbia single moth- not grown substan- ers are adults over 20-years old: only 20 tially since 1999. 0 percent of single mothers were under the Single-Female Family Single-Male Family Married-Couple Family age of 20 in 2002. Births to mothers

Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau under age 20 dropped to 12.8 percent of all births in 2002 – a 0.5 percentage point decrease from 2001. This down- 2. Single women with children are 3. In 2002, 56 percent of all births ward trend reflects a national decline in more likely than other families were to single mothers, making teenage births. Some speculate, however, to be in poverty. (Fig. 11) the sixth consecutive year that that the downward trend in the District births to unwed mothers have of Columbia is partly due to population The 2004 Current Population Survey declined. (Fig. 12) loss among women of childbearing age, (CPS) found that 53 percent of chil- particularly younger women. Indeed, in dren living in single-female-headed Births to single mothers declined for 2002 the Census Bureau estimated that families lived in poverty. This statistic the sixth straight year in 2002, falling the total female population of the applies to those children living with Figuto re56 1percent2 of all births according to District had declined. single mothers as well as other female vital statistics data from the D.C. State relatives such as grandmothers and aunts, so long as there was no hus- band or male head of household Figure 12 present in the family. For children living in families with a single-male Percent of Births to Single Mothers in DC head, the poverty rate in 2004 was 1988 - 2002 considerably lower: 15 percent. 80 73 Among those residing in a family 69 67 67 with a married couple in 2004, hs 66 65 66 66 62 64 63 62 irt 60 regardless of the couple’s relationship, 57 60 56 the poverty rate was 6 percent. l B a ot According to the 2000 Census, T of married-couple families with chil- 40 dren in the District had a median ent income of $73,909 in 1999. (The Perc median is the middle figure when 20 incomes are arranged in order from highest to lowest.) For single-father families, the median income was 0 $27,385 while for single-mother 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 families it was $19,656. By looking Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration at the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Figure 13

Similar to the finding that almost half of all births to single women were to Figure 13 mothers living in Wards 7 and 8, 46 percent of all teen births were to Percent of Births to Mothers Under Age 20 in DC mothers from these wards. Neverthe- 1990 - 2002 less, although the share of teen births 20 east of the Anacostia River is higher 17.8 18 17.2 17.1 16.8 than the overall city average, the num- 16.2 15.6 15.5 15.6 ber of births to teens have dropped in 16 15.3 14.8 14.2 these wards over time as well. 13.3 14 12.8

12 Mothers ages 18 to 19 comprised the ent largest share of teen births, at 61 per- 10 cent in 2002. This is a negligible Perc change from the previous year, when 8 62 percent of all teen births were to 6 mothers ages 18 to 19. The share of teen births to girls ages 15 to 17 4 increased slightly in 2002, growing 2 from 34 percent in 2001 to 36 per- 0 cent in 2002. The share of births to 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Figure 14 the youngest mothers, those under 15- Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration years old, dropped by half, from 4 percent in 2001 to 2 percent in 2002. Figure 14 5. The number of cases filed for paternity increased by more than Cases Filed for Paternity in DC one-quarter between 2002 and 1990 - 2002 2003, while the number of child 3,000 support cases increased only 2,795 modestly. (Fig. 14 and Fig. 15) 2,428 2,500 2,324

led 2,243 The number of paternity cases filed 1,948 with the D.C. Superior Court has 2,000 1,910 ses Fi 1,834 fluctuated widely from year to year, 1,658 Ca 1,585 1,549 although the trend has been generally 1,427 1,500 downward. In 2001 and 2002, the er of number of cases filed dropped to the 1,189 998 929 lowest level in a decade. In 2003, Numb 1,000 however, the number of cases filed bounced back up by 28 percent to 1,189 cases according to the District 500 of Columbia Courts 2003 Annual Report. While this is a large increase 0 in one year, the number of cases in 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2003 is still the third lowest in 14 Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports years.

Cases filed with the Court for child 6. The number of children served number of children receiving subsi- support totaled 660 filings in 2003, an with subsidized child care dized child care decreased by approxi- increase of 3 percent. This marks the continued to decline for the mately 2,175 children or 12 percent, second year in a row of a small third straight year. (Table 1) reaching 16,561 children in 2004. increase in filings. Prior to 2002, the This is the third straight yearly decline previous seven years showed a marked Subsidized child care is an important since 2001 according to the D.C. decrease in filings, especially between economic support for working poor Department of Health, Office of Early years 1998 and 1999. families and their children. The total Childhood Development. As described 24

Figure 15

for the year. The number of children Figure 15 served at D.C. Public Schools after Cases Filed for Child Support in DC care increased by 1 percent from 2003 to 2004, totaling 7,145 children in 1990 - 2003 2004. However, the number of chil- 3,000 dren served declined 30 percent 2,562 between 2002 and 2003. The reason 2,500 for this decrease was budget cuts – from $11.5m in FY2002 to $6.9m in led FY2003. In addition, after care was not 2,000 1,763 1,721 available in the summer of 2003, nor ses Fi 1,591 1,487 was it in the summer of 2002. Ca 1,430 1,500 1,319 1,174 1,231 er of The figures in the second section of

mb 1,000 887 Table 2, “Office of Early Childhood u 746

N 637 641 660 Development,” represent the total

500 unduplicated number of children who received subsidized child care at any time during the year from programs 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 offered by the Office of Early Child-

Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1989-2003 Annual Reports hood Development (OECD). The OECD programs serve children from 6 weeks through 12 years of age, or below, the decrease in 2004 was driven care) during the school year and those through 18-years old for those who primarily by a reduction of children attending care at school during the are disabled. The number of children served in the Office of Early Childhood summer months when school is out. served in 2004 decreased by 17 per- program. The District of Columbia Public cent, totaling 9,416 children. While Schools’ After Care for All Program the 2004 number does not include the The first section of Table 1 “D.C. serves children who are of school age last two months of the fiscal year, it Public Schools After Care for All,” through 12-years old. The figure is a does suggest that fewer children will refers to those children who attended snapshot of the number of children be served in 2004 compared to 2003. subsidized after-school care (i.e., after served at the highest attendance month The numbers of children currently in subsidized child care programs are not Table 1 Subsidized Child Care Programs in DC 2000 - 2004

Program Area 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004*

D.C. Public Schools After Care for All Number of children served 7,000 12,350 10,000 7,040 7,145 Number of school sites 56 100 130 62 61

Office of Early Childhood Development Number of children served 7,653 11,451 11,947 11,396 9,416 Number of family child care homes 112 124 140 144 108 Number of child development centers 216 222 235 231 222 Number of in-home providers 15 14 7 9 4 Number of relative providers 34 31 33 53 31

Total number of children served 14,653 23,801 21,947 18,436 16,561

* Note: The 2004 numbers are not from the complete fiscal year. They go only through August 2004.

25 the only measures of the need for such Homeless Children and increased, although it is the smallest services. Waiting lists also provide Families increase of the three years. Of the some insight into families’ demand for homeless counted by HSPCC in affordable, reliable child care. Waiting 1. Homelessness in the District 2004, 6,105 were literally homeless — lists were first created for the subsi- has increased for the third 42 percent of whom (2,552) were per- dized child care programs in 2002 and consecutive year. (Table 2) sons in families. The number of peo- have grown ever since. The following ple who were counted as permanently is a snapshot of the waiting lists on The Homeless Services Planning and supported homeless was 2,148 — 32 September 30 of each year: 540 chil- Coordinating Committee (HSPCC) percent of whom (684) were persons dren in 2002, 1,299 children in 2003, of the Metropolitan Washington in families. and 1,566 children in 2004. Having Council of Governments has taken a fewer available care slots because of yearly snapshot of homeless persons in While it is a valuable indicator of the budget cuts certainly contributes to the region since 2001. For clarity pur- level of homelessness in the city, it the growing waiting lists, but increased poses, the survey was altered this year should be noted that the HSPCC esti- economic hardships for families may to create two new baseline numbers: mate is only a single point-in-time be part of the explanation as well. the “literally homeless” and the “per- count of the number of persons who manently supported homeless.” The were homeless on a specific day. Since 7. Infants and toddlers with literally homeless are those who are on people may move in and out of home- developmental delays and the streets, in emergency shelters tem- lessness, the number of persons who disabilities receive services porarily, in transitional housing tem- may have been homeless at any time through the entitlement porarily, and those who are in precari- during the year is certainly higher than program, the Early Intervention ous housing at imminent risk of loss this estimate. Program. and are looking into shelters. The permanently supported homeless are 2. The number of homeless families The D.C. Department of Health’s those who live in permanent support- applying for shelter in the Office of Early Childhood Develop- ive housing but who would be at risk District continues to increase. ment manages the Early Intervention of becoming homeless again without The number is almost 2.5 times Program (DCEIP), an entitlement this housing because of extreme pover- greater than year 2000. (Fig. 16) service for infants and toddlers with ty or serious mental or physical dis- delays and disabilities. DCEIP helps abilities. Families seeking shelter through city- children and their families connect to funded services must apply at the therapeutic and other supports to The HSPCC attempts to count the District’s central intake facility, the develop the children’s potential. The entire homeless population in the Virginia Williams Family Resource program is federally funded under the region during one day in January of Center. According to the District’s Individuals with Disabilities Education each year. The month of January was Coalition for the Homeless, the Act and services are paid through selected because people are more likely agency managing the central intake Medicaid, parent contributions based to be in shelters at this time of the facility, the number of families apply- on sliding fee scale, and other sources. year, rather than living on the streets, ing for emergency shelters at the cen- and therefore are easier to count. In tral intake facility increased from Services include outreach, identifica- January 2004, the HSPCC counted a 2,613 in 2002 to 3,100 in 2003, a 19 tion and referral, developmental evalu- total of 8,253 homeless persons in the percent increase from 2002, and a 36 ations, and direct services such as District, an increase of 303 persons or percent increase from 2001. This is physical therapy, speech therapy and 3.8 percent since January 2003. This the fourth consecutive increase in the assistive technology. Family support is the third consecutive year that the demand for emergency shelter for activities are included as well as train- number of homeless persons has families and is the highest number of ing and personnel development. As of September 2004, 356 children received direct services through the program. Table 2 Snapshot of the Number of Homeless in DC January 2001 - January 2004

Total Number Counted Annual Rate of Change Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 District of Columbia 7,058 7,468 7,950 8,253 5.8% 6.5% 3.8%

Figure 16

Child Health Figure 16 Homeless Families Applying for Shelter at Central Intake in DC 1. The share of District mothers 1996 - 2003 receiving adequate prenatal care continued to rise in 2002. At 4,000 68.7 percent in 2002, this is a growth of almost 10 percentage 3,500 3,100 points since 1999. (Fig. 17)

s 3,000 Adequacy of prenatal care is measured milie 2,500 2,613 by the Kessner Index, a standard Fa 2,278 method that takes into account the 2,000 er of number of prenatal visits in relation to b 1,406 m 1,500 the length of the pregnancy. Care is

Nu 1,074 989 962 1,276 considered “adequate” if the mother 1,000 began receiving it in the first three months of her pregnancy, and had at 500 least nine visits if the pregnancy lasted 0 the full nine months — or propor- 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 tionately fewer when the gestation Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, period was shorter. If the mother The Homeless Services Planning & Coordinating Committee received less than the specified level for adequate prenatal care, then she can be deemed to have received an new applicants since 1996 when these dential programs (emergency shelter, “intermediate” level of care, or an data began being recorded annually. transitional housing and permanent “inadequate” level if the amount of These numbers capture not only those supportive housing) served 1,057 fam- care was zero or quite minimal. This that are already homeless and living in ilies including 3,492 persons in 2003 measure does not rate the quality of nonpermanent housing (i.e., on the (the most current year of available care provided by the medical profes- street or in a shelter), but also those data). In addition, prevention assis- sional, only the quantity of care that are living in a crowded situation tance helped 223 families with 696 received. (For a fuller explanation, putting them at risk of homelessness. persons stay in their housing and not readers are referred to Section VII, Figure 17 become homeless. “A Few Words About the Data.”) The new applicant families in 2003 included an estimated 6,000 children. Of the families with children that Figure 17 applied for shelter, 34 percent had children five years of age or younger, a Percent of Pregnant Women Receiving Adequate Prenatal Care in DC decrease of 15 percentage points from 1993 - 2002 2002. Six hundred and sixty (660) families, including 2,187 persons, 75 were served in emergency shelter apartments or alternative services 70 68.7 65.1 accessed through central intake. Of 65 65.4 these families, 63 families with 224 60.7 persons were served in the two emer- ent 60 59 gency programs that serve victims of 57.5 Perc 55 domestic violence. 53.7

50 51 The above statistics represent only a 48.4 portion of the services and housing 45 44.8 programs available through the public homeless continuum of care adminis- 40 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 tered by the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness. Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration Overall, the continuum of care resi- 27

According to data from the D.C. State Wards 7 and 8 were nearly 11 percent- birth weight births can also be attrib- Center for Health Statistics, 68.7 per- age points below the average. uted to improved medical care and cent of all pregnant women in the technology. Babies with lower birth District received adequate prenatal There is a correspondence between weights can have greater rates of sur- care, up from 65.4 percent in the pre- levels of poverty and the share of vival because of these advances, thus vious year. Steadily on the rise since mothers receiving inadequate prenatal we may see a plateauing or perhaps a 1993, adequate care had only one care. Mothers who lived in Wards 7 slowly decreasing rate of low birth small dip occurring in 1999. The per- and 8, the wards with the highest weight births. cent of mothers receiving inadequate poverty rates, accounted for 27.2 per- care dropped from 11.4 percent to 9.7 cent of all births for which we know 3. Infant mortality rose slightly in percent of births for which levels of the level of prenatal care, yet they only 2002, although it is at the second prenatal care are reported. With ade- accounted for 23.0 percent of those lowest level in the past 13 years. quate care on the rise, not only do we receiving adequate care. (Fig. 19) see inadequate care dropping, but we also see that intermediate care dropped 2. Low-weight births were at their Infant mortality rose slightly in 2002 in 2002. Births with intermediate pre- lowest level in over a decade. to 11.5 deaths per 1,000 live births for natal care declined to 21.6 percent in (Fig. 18) children under the age of one, an 2002 from 23.2 percent a year before. increase of less than one percentage This is a somewhat positive sign, indi- Low birth weights (that is, birth point, according to the D.C. State cating that a smaller effort would be weights of 5.5 pounds or less) have Center for Health Statistics. However, needed than in previous years to bring had a small and incremental down- the 2002 figure does not exceed any of a larger share of mothers from the ward trend over the past 10 years. the figures before 2001. Growing intermediate up to the adequate level Starting with over 16 percent of low numbers of mothers who received ade- of care. birth weight babies in the late 1980s, quate or intermediate prenatal care and decreasing gradually through the most likely account for the dramatic Four of the eight wards met or beat 1990s, by 2002 only 11.6 percent of reduction in infant mortality over the the D.C. average for adequate prenatal all births were considered low weight. previous decade. Prenatal care ensures care levels in 2002. Wards 1, 2, 3 and the mother’s health, and has been 6 had levels greater that the city aver- Low birth weights can be attributed proven to contribute to the child’s age of 68.7 percent, with Ward 3 to inadequate prenatal care. With health after birth. With a focus on the being the highest at 87.4 percent of adequate prenatal care on the rise and health of expectant mothers, strides births receiving adequate prenatal care. inadequate care falling, we would can be made to limit the infant TheFigu remainingre 18 four wards had rates expect to find a smaller proportion of mortality rate, although economic below the D.C. average. Ward 4 was low birth weight babies being born, as hardship may hamper efforts at nearly the same at 68.3 percent, but the data indeed show. Conversely, low improvement.

4. Immunization rates have been Figure 18 steadily rising since year 2000, Percent of Low Birthweight Infants in DC and they surpassed the national 1990 - 2002 average in 2003. (Table 3)

s 18 d

n The federal Centers for Disease u

o 16 15.2 15.3 p 14.2 14.7 14.2 14.2 Control and Prevention conducts a 13.5 13.5 5.5 14 13.1 13.3 survey every year to determine rates

er 11.9 12.2 d 11.6 of immunization for major child-

n 12 u hood diseases in all states and the hs 10 District of Columbia. The U.S. irt b

ll 8 National Immunization Survey tracks the coverage of several vaccina- 6 tions. The vaccination most com- cent of a 4 monly given to young children is Per 2 called “3+DTP” and protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 (whooping cough). It is generally

Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration given in three or more doses to children from 19 to 35 months of age. 28 lies are provided with free immuniza- Figure 19 Infant Mortality Rate Under One-Year Old in DC tions at neighborhood clinics and larg- 1990 - 2002 er facilities. Furthermore, the D.C. Department of Health also provides 25 express immunization clinics where

hs 20 20.2 appointments are not necessary.

irt 20 18.3 18.2 b

e 16.7

v 16.1 5. The total number of new cases of i 15 14.4 0 l the three most common sexually 15 13.1 00

, 12.5 11.9 11.5 transmitted diseases diagnosed 10.6

er 1 in children and youth under p 10 20-years old in the District — hs t chlamydia, gonorrhea, and

Dea 5 syphilis — increased by 5 percent in 2003. (Fig 20)

0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 There were a total of 2,041 new cases

Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis diagnosed in persons under age 20 in 2003. This was an increase of 97 new Table 3 nization rates than the District. This cases or 5 percent. This increase was Vaccination Coverage – 3 or More year, however, the District’s rate is primarily driven by a higher incidence Shots for Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis higher than in all three of those cities. of gonorrhea which increased by 90 DC and the United States 1999 - 2003 cases between 2002 and 2003, a 14 Several factors may explain the percent rise. The number of new District of United improvement in immunization rates chlamydia cases increased slightly from Columbia States for children in the District. D.C. the previous year as well: 22 new 1999 94.4 95.9 Public Schools have always required cases, or a 2 percent increase. Syphilis that students be vaccinated before dropped dramatically from 17 cases in 2000 90.8 94.1 starting school, but the school system 2002 to 2 cases in 2003, an 88 per- 2001 91.6 94.3 has recently become more vigilant in cent decrease. 2002 94.2 94.9 enforFigucingre this 20 policy. Uninsured fami- 2003 96.5 96.0 Source: U.S. National Immunization Survey Figure 20 Cases of Clamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis Diagnosed The District’s vaccination rate for in People Under Age 20 in DC 3+DTP has generally been a percent- 1998 - 2003 age point or so under the national 1,600 Gonorrhea Syphilis level. In 2000, however, it fell more 1,480 Chlamydia 1,331 substantially behind. Each year since, 1,400 1,305 1,297 1,272 1,294 the District has made steady gains on 1,228 1,200 the national average. In 2003, the agnoses 1,007 District surpassed the national average: Di

w 1,000 e

96.5 percent of District children in N 758 758 the appropriate age range received the 800 745

er of 655

3+DTP vaccinations, compared to b 96.0 percent nationally. m 600 Nu 400 The District’s immunization rates for 3+DTP has surpassed other central 200 cities in 2003, further highlighting the 26 5 27 18 17 2 0 gains the District has made in this 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 area. Last year, New York, Chicago, Source: D.C. Bureau of STD Control, Surveillance Unit and Philadelphia all had higher immu- 29 Figure 21

6. The number of new AIDS cases diagnosed in children 12-years Figure 21 old and younger remains small and steady in 2003. (Fig. 21) AIDS Cases Diagnosed Among Children 12-Years Old and Younger 1988 - 2003 There have been fewer than five 25 22 reported new AIDS cases among chil- 21 dren 12 years and younger in the 20

District since 1999 and the number of es 17 new cases for 2003 remains the same 16 Cas 15 15 15 according to the D.C. Administration w e 15 N for HIV/AIDS. (For confidentiality f 12

reasons, the exact figure is not shown er o

b 10 when the number of cases is fewer 10 um 8 than five.) The most common way N 7 children ages 12 years and younger contract AIDS is infection from their 5 pregnant mothers who are HIV posi- <5 <5 <5 tive. The dramatic decline in the num- 0 ber of cases since the mid-1990s is due 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999* 2000- 2003* largely to the widespread use of 2002* Source: D.C. Department of Health, Administration for HIV-AIDS Zidovudine or AZT in pregnant *Numbers are not shown for years with fewer than 5 new cases. women who test positive for HIV. Figure 22 This procedure began in 1994, when clinical trials in the U.S. and abroad showed that this medication reduced Figure 22 maternal-child transmission of HIV by two-thirds. AIDS Cases Diagnosed Among Children 13- to 19-Years Old in DC 1990 - 2003 Of the few children who were diag- 10 nosed with AIDS in 2003, all were 9 9 African American, a pattern consistent 8

es 8 with 2002. The fact that most are 7

Cas 7 African American is most likely due to 6 6 w insufficient prenatal care among e 6 N 55 women who cannot afford this service f 5

because they lack health insurance. er o

b 4 m 3 7. New diagnoses of AIDS cases for Nu District children and youth ages 2 1 13 to 19 years increased slightly <5 <5 <5 <5 in 2003, although the number 0 1990 1991 1992-1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000-2002 2003 remains low. (Fig. 22) Source: D.C. Department of Health, Administration for HIV-AIDS *Numbers not shown for years with fewer than 5 new cases The number of new AIDS cases for children 13- to 19-years old rose slightly in 2003, from less than five to six cases. (Figure 22 is slightly mis- from heterosexual contact, and the tracked between 1980 and 2004, leading because of the suppression of other half from homosexual contact. 96 percent (or 77 adolescents) were the less than five new cases category. It African American. appears that there was a large increase Similar to the younger age ranges dis- between 2002 and 2003, which there cussed earlier, AIDS victims among was not.) All those youth diagnosed adolescents 13- through 19-years old with AIDS were between 16- to 19- were also predominantly African years old. Half contracted the disease American. Of the persons with AIDS

Safety and As in previous years, the first year of 3. Deaths to children ages 1 to Personal Security life is the most tenuous. Deaths to 14 years decreased by nine cases children less than one-year old consti- in 2002. (Fig. 23) 1. The number of deaths of children tuted 57 percent of all youth deaths and teens remained nearly the (that is, deaths to children ages under The number of deaths to children ages same in 2002, decreasing by only 19 years), totaling 86 deaths in 2002. 1 to 14 years decreased by nine cases two cases. This is an increase from the 81 deaths in 2002. Looking at the age groups that occurred to children under age separately, six children in the 1- to 4- Deaths to children and teens did not one in 2001. However, the 2002 fig- age group died in 2002. This is a drop change greatly in 2002 according to ure is still lower than the 2000 figure of nearly half from the year before, data gathered by the D.C. State Center and the two previous years. when 11 children died. for Health Statistics. The number decreased from 153 deaths in 2001 to Most of deaths in the first year of life Deaths to children ages 5 to 9 years 151 deaths in 2002. Although youth occurred from conditions originating have continued their steady and slow deaths have plateaued during the past in the perinatal period, from congeni- decrease since 1998. In 2002 there few years, great reductions have tal malformations or from ill-defined were six deaths, a decrease of one occurred since the late 1990s. In 1997, clinical findings like Sudden Infant death from the previous year. there were 222 youth deaths. By 1998 Death Syndrome. Prenatal care can the number had dropped to 185, but improve the mother’s health and has In 2002, the number of deaths in the then rose to 194 in 1999. been shown to lead to a child’s well 10- to 14-year-old age group declined health after birth. While not all of after rising sharply in 2001. It had 2. Deaths to children less than these deaths can be explained, a por- risen by five deaths between 2000 and one-year old account for the tion of the decline in deaths can be 2001, but then declined by three largest share of deaths to youth, attributed to the improvement of pre- deaths, totaling seven deaths in 2002. and this age group grew slightly natal care over time. in 2002. (Fig. 23) 4. Older teens accounted for Figure 23 one-third of youth deaths in 2002. (Fig. 23)

Figure 23 In 2002, 46 deaths occurred to youths ages 15 to 19 years. This Number of Child and Teen Deaths by Age Group in DC follows the gradual trend upward 1998 - 2002 since 2000. While the number of 120 deaths in this age group is 113 1998 increasing, the figures are lower 1999 now than they have been over the 100 96 course of the last decade. 91 2000 Throughout the 1990s, the fig- eaths 86 81 2001 ures were double or nearly double 80 the numbers in 2002 (not shown 2002 ber of D in Figure 23).

60 53 5. Violent deaths to 15- to 49 46 19-year-olds have increased 44 and Teen Num and Teen 40 very slightly. (Fig. 24) ld 40

Chi Violent deaths (accidents, sui- 24 cides, and murders) accounted for 20 14 15 13 39 of the 46 deaths to older 11 10 6 8 776 6 7 teens, or 85 percent. Until 2002, 3 5 violent teen deaths were on a 0 downward trend. This very slight <1 year 1 - 4 yrs 5 - 9 yrs 10 - 14 yrs 15 - 19 yrs rise brings the total above the pre- Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration vious two years, but does not exceed any figure before 2000.

Figure 24

Murders to teens ages 15- to 19-years old rose between 2001 and 2002, Figure 24 from 29 to 33, respectively. In 2002, five older teens died in accidents and Violent Deaths to Teens Aged 15-to-19 Years Old one committed suicide. (Accidents, Suicides and Murders) 1989 - 2002 6. The number of cases filed for 120 child abuse increased in 2003, 106 approaching a recent high in 100 2001. Child neglect cases 89

eens 88 continued a downward trend 84 87 86 78 80 76 that started in 1998. (Fig. 25 and hs to T Fig. 26) 62 Deat 60 Between 1990 and 1993, cases olent 46 44 Vi brought before the courts for child f 37 39 40 36 abuse (Fig. 25) dropped by 54 percent, er o mb from 530 to 244, respectively. Since u then, the number has fluctuated up N 20 and down with no clear trend. For 2003, 239 new abuse cases were filed, 0 1989 1990 "199"1 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 an increase of 37 cases, or 18 percent, Figure 25 from 2002. This large increase almost Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration negates the decline experienced in the previous year (a drop of 25 percent). Figure 25 Cases filed for child neglect (Fig. 26) continued the downward trend that Cases Filed for Child Abuse in DC started in 1998, and have decreased 1990 - 2003 significantly in 2002 and 2003. The 600 number of new neglect cases in 2003 530 was 614, a decrease of 289 cases, or 500 eens

32 percent, from 2002. The decrease T o between 2001 and 2002 was almost as t 400 397 hs great – a 26 percent decline. t 400

Dea 304 t 273 To put the abuse and neglect filing en 300 274 268 244 253 239 iol

numbers into context, changes have V 202 occurred in the agencies that work 189 192 200 156 with abused and neglected children, ber of m namely, the D.C. Child and Family u N 100 Service Agency (CFSA), the agency responsible for protecting foster care 0 children who have been at risk for 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 abuse and neglect, and Family Court, Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports a division of the D.C. Superior Court.

The U.S. District Court placed CFSA CFSA was back under District author- to place children in permanent homes in receivership in 1995 due to a histo- ity in 2001 and the responsibility for in a timely manner. This changed the ry of poor performance. The U.S. child abuse and neglect investigations focus of CFSA from prolonged District Court appointed an overseer was transferred from the District’s attempts at reuniting families to mov- of the agency to ensure CFSA was in Metropolitan Police Department to ing children into safer, permanent full compliance. This receivership was CFSA during this time. homes. The CFSA is assessed to withdrawn five years later in 2000, ensure they keep performing at an with a one-year probationary period. CFSA is required under the Adoption adequate level by such organizations as and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 the Council for Court Excellence, the

32 Figure 26

tions (requiring abusers to stay away Figure 26 from those whom they were abusing), Cases Filed for Child Neglect in DC establish custody of children, and mandate child support. Judges’ rulings 1990 - 2003 hold effect for up to 12 months. 1,600 1,512 On average, the majority of people 1,386 1,381 requesting relief from domestic vio- 1,400 1,323 1,343 1,268 lence are women (approximately 85 1,261 1,222

led 1,200 1,131 percent). Fi 954 1,000 The effect of domestic violence on ases 903 families is profound. The American 800

er of C Academy of Experts in Traumatic 614 Stress show that children from homes

umb 600 N 432 where domestic violence occurs are 400 288 physically or sexually abused or seri- ously neglected at a rate 15 times the 200 national average. More than half of

0 the school-age children in domestic 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 violence shelters show clinical levels of

Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports anxiety or posttraumatic stress disor- der, and, without treatment, are at significant risk for dropping out of Center for the Study of Social Policy, 7. The total number of filings for school, acquiring a substance abuse and the U.S. General Accounting order of protections increased in problem, and developing difficulties in Office. All three organizations have 2003, but the percent granted their own relationships. pointed to reforms that CFSA has did not significantly change in made and areas where more improve- the same year. (Fig 27) According to the Domestic Violence ment is needed. Unit of the D.C. Superior Court, the Victims of domestic violence can seek number of new filings made for civil The Family Court has made changes protection from their abusers via the protection orders increased by 299 as well. In 2004, the Family Court Domestic Violence Unit of the D.C. new filings or 8 percent in 2003. As completed the transfer of all abuse and Superior Court. Domestic violence shown in the box in Figure 27, the neglect cases to Family Court judges. judgesFigu canre grant27 civil orders of protec- number of filings has gradually Previously, judges in other divisions presided over abuse and neglect cases. In addition, the court has fully imple- Figure 27 mented the “one judge, one family” Disposition of Civil Orders of Protection Against Domestic Violence case management model, which ensures that the same Family Court D.C. Superior Court judge hears an abuse or neglect case 2003 7% from the beginning to end, as well as Number of New Filings for any other family law cases involving Denied or Withdrawn 26% Civil Orders of Protection D.C. Superior Court the same family. These two changes, as Consent well as others, were enacted by Agreement 1999 3,481 Congress through the D.C. Family 2000 3,715 Court Act of 2001. 50% Petition 2001 3,738 Dismissed 2002 3,895 In addition, the Family Court went 2003 4,194 through a three-year physical rehabili- tation that was completed in the fall of 2004. The Family Court has been 11% Order to Comply redesigned to be more child friendly, 6% and many of the court functions for- Order by Default merly scattered throughout the city are Source: Domestic Violence Unit, Superior Court of the District of Columbia now housed in one building.

33 Figure 28 increased since 1999, implying that more of those needing legal protection Figure 28 have approached the court. However, as shown in the pie chart, the percent- Total Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court age of filings where the requesting 1990 - 2003 party did not follow through with the 6,000 legal process due to not appearing in court to begin the proceedings or 5,000 4,713 4,767 4,646 explaining to the court that the parties 4,461 4,492 reconciled (i.e., “petitions dismissed”) 3,931 4,012 was 50 percent in 2003. The propor- 4,000 tion of petitions dismissed has hovered 3,395 around 50 percent since 2000. In fact, 3,080 3,000 2,748 the percentage of the remaining four 2,495 2,390 2,412 types of dispositions all remained 2,241 2,000 approximately the same since 2000. Number of Juveni

Of the remaining filings that were 1,000 ruled on by a judge, 6 percent in 2003 were granted an order of protection by le 0 default (i.e., “order by default”). This Cas 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 means that the person being accused es of domestic violence, while given the Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports opportunity to be heard, did not appear in court and the judge ruled an order of protection was necessary. The number filed in 1994. The overall percentage of order by default findings increase was driven by increases in did not change between 2002 and property crime, specifically auto theft, 2003. whichFigu isre discussed 29 in greater detail below. The percentage of filings where a judge ruled that an order of protection should be granted when the defending Figure 29 party did not agree (or “order to com- Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for ply”) remained at 11 percent in 2003. Acts Against Public Order The percentage of filings where both 1990 - 2003 parties agreed to stay away from one another (or “consent agreement”) was 2,500 26 percent in 2003. The percentage of order of protections that were denied 2,000 1,870 1,875 by the judge or withdrawn by the pares

ties (or “orders denied”) was 7 percent. Cas 1,629 1,579

le 1,548 1,441 1,500 8. Juvenile cases referred to the D.C. 1,307 Superior Court increased slightly, 1,180 1,183 breaking the downward trend of 1,081 1,000 940 the past six years. (Fig. 28) 795

Number of Juveni 696 688 In 2003, 2,412 new criminal cases were filed against juveniles, an increase 500 of 171 new cases, or 8 percent, according to the D.C. Superior Court 0 2004 Annual Report. This broke the 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 downward trend started in 1997. While criminal cases increased in Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports 2003, the number is just over half the 34 9. “Acts Against Public Order” of crimes. Seventy-five percent of all rized use of an automobile made up which juveniles were accused property crimes were due to “unautho- 27 percent of all juveniles’ crimes decreased very slightly, rized use of auto,” i.e., automobile occurring in the District in 2003, not maintaining the fifth consecutive theft or joy riding. This was up from just property crimes. This problem of year of decline. (Fig. 29) 68Figu percentre 3 in0 2002. In fact, unautho- unauthorized use of autos and some

Public order crimes include a variety of offenses, but mainly involve drugs Figure 30 and weapons. The number of new Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for cases decreased in 2003 by eight cases Acts Against Property or 1 percent. Of all new cases brought 1990 - 2003 against youths in 2003, one-quarter were due to possession of marijuana, 2,000 one-quarter for sales or possession of narcotics, and almost one-quarter due 1,549 1,506 to possession or carrying of a weapon. es 1,500 1,417 1,343 The remaining new cases fall into Cas other categories. le 1,168 1,145 1,110 10. Property crimes increased in 992 1,000 864 866 2003, breaking a general 798 766 803 downward trend since 1997. 742

Automobile thefts greatly Number of Juveni increased in 2003, causing alarm 500 in the District. (Fig. 30)

The number of property crimes in the District increased by 124 new cases in 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2003, or 17 percent. This increase breaksFigu are five-year 31 decline in property Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports

Figure 31 resulting fatal car wrecks prompted the D.C. Metropolitan Police Number of Juvenile Cases Referred to DC Superior Court for Department to enact a crime-emer- Acts Against Persons gency plan that gives commanders 1990 - 2003 more resources to target juvenile auto theft. 2,000 11. “Acts Against Persons” by juveniles increased after years of

es 1,500 decline and three years of staying 1,337 1,355 1,352 Cas constant. (Fig. 31) le 1,180 1,125 1,102 1,039 1,075 In 2003, District youth were charged 1,000 893 with a total of 760 “acts against per- 760 sons.” This is an increase of 96 cases 719 676 675 664 or 14 percent from 2002. This alters

Number of Juveni the trend in the past three years of 500 keeping relatively constant or plateauing. Almost half of the offenses against persons were simple assault (42 percent). 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1990-2003 Annual Reports

12. Since 1994, the proportion of Education graphic analysis, an educational plan crimes charged to juveniles has including the mission and philosophy changed. The proportion of Three different types of schools oper- of the school and curriculum, a busi- property crimes has increased ate in the District of Columbia to pro- ness plan that describes the profile of while there have been propor- vide primary and secondary education the founding group and how the tional decreases in public order to the city’s children: the District of school will be financed, and an crimes. (Fig. 32) Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), accountability plan that determines public charter schools, and independ- how well the students and school From 1994 to 2003, the total number ent or private schools. DCPS is the performed in the school year, among of juvenile cases declined from 4,492 traditional, historic administration other things. Two boards authorize to 2,412, or 46 percent, according to that oversees public schools for chil- and oversee public charter schools the D.C. Superior Court 2004 Annual dren in the District. Public schools are in the District: the D.C. Board of Report. Comparing those two time open to the children of all families Education and the D.C. Public periods, only the share of crimes who live in the District of Columbia Charter School Board. against persons remained relatively and charge no tuition. However, chil- constant at 30 percent and 32 percent, dren who wish to attend a DCPS Charter schools are publicly funded respectively. school in a neighborhood other than but operate independently from the where they live must make an “out-of- DCPS administration. Like regular At the same time, the share of public boundary application” and generally public schools, charter schools are order crimes (drugs and weapons) be accepted via a lottery system to open to all children in the District and declined from 35 percent in 1994 to attend a different DCPS school. may not charge tuition. Charter 28 percent in 2003. Property crimes schools have no catchment areas, how- increased from 25 to 36 percent Public charter schools were established ever, so a child may attend any charter between 1994 and 2003, and the with the passage of the U.S. school regardless of where he or she combined total of Interstate Compact Congressional D.C. School Reform lives in the District. By statute, char- cases (persons fleeing from justice in Act of 1995. The first District charter ter schools must have open enroll- another jurisdiction) and PINS cases school began operating in school year ment. They accept eligible students (persons in need of supervision) 1997-98. To establish a charter school, using a lottery if more students apply decreased from 10 to 4 percent founders must submit a detailed appli- than they can accept. If fewer students between 1994 and 2003. cation with such information as arti- apply, the school accepts them all. Figure 32 cles of incorporation, by-laws, demo- Charter schools are also held account- able for achieving the educational outcomes specified in Figure 32 their charters. Change in Proportion of Charges Against Juveniles in DC 1994, 2002 and 2003 Independent schools are privately- and independently- 100 Crimes against run schools, either parochial person or secular, where students 90 30% 30% 32% must pay tuition and must be 80 Property crimes admitted to attend. Most 70 independent schools are

60 Public order accredited by state or regional

ent 33% 36% 25% crimes c member associations. For 50

Per Interstate instance, independent secular 40 and PINS schools in the District of 30 35% Columbia can be accredited 31% through the Middle States 20 28% Association of Colleges and 10 10% Schools. The purpose of these 6% 4% 0 associations is to function as a 1994 2002 2003 certifying body, not unlike Total number of c harges that of the public accrediting 4,492 2,241 2,412 bodies, to guarantee the quality of the schools and to Source: District of Columbia Courts, 1994, 2002 and 2003 Annual Reports ensure that the public interest 36

Figure 33a is well served by member schools. The National Association of Independent Figure 33a Schools (NAIS) serves as umbrella organization for many state and Racial/Ethnic Composition of DCPS Student Body regional membership associations. 1990 - 1991 In addition, Catholic parochial schools 1% 898 Asian/Other are overseen by the Catholic Schools 4% 3,123 White Office of the Archdiocese of Washington. 5% 4,199 Hispanic

The sections below briefly describe the characteristics of the public and public charter school systems operating in the District. In addition, DCPS students’ educational outcomes are presented. 90% 72,474 African American For future editions of the Kids Count Fact Book, we hope to have educational outcomes for public charter and independent schools as well. Total Enrollment = 86,894

1. District of Columbia Public Source: Kids Count Fact Book 2003 School enrollment continues to decline, but the racial makeup remains the same as last year. percent Hispanic, 5 percent non- percentage point each, and the share of (Fig. 33a and 33b) Hispanic white, and 2 percent Asian African American students decreased or other (see Figure 33b). These are the by six percentage points. There were 168 DCPS schools as of same proportions as the 2002-03 2003: 108 elementary, 21 middle and school year. Comparing the 2003-04 The proportion of DCPS pupils eligi- junior highs, 22 high schools, 14 city- school year to the 1990-91 school year ble for free or reduced-price lunches wide special education schools, and (Fig. 33a), the student body has stayed the same between 2002 and 3 alternative schools according to the become slightly more diverse as the 2003, 65 percent. This implies that the DCPS Summary of Membership share of Hispanic students has DCPS student body remains as poor as Report. This count includes “schools increased by five percentage points, the previous year. within schools,” that is, separate whites andFigu Asiansre 3 increased3b by one schools established within the same physical building. Figure 33b Racial/Ethnic Composition of DCPS Student Bod Enrollment continued to decline for y DCPS. As of the 2003-04 school year, 2003 - 2004 65,099 children were enrolled, a 2% 1,124 Asian/Other reduction of 2,423 children or a 4 percent decrease from the previous year 5% 3,167 White and a decline of 25 percent since 10% 6,344 Hispanic school year 1990-91 (see Figure 33a and 33b). While this reduction in DCPS enrollment is dramatic, public charter school enrollments have been increasing – making up some of this difference (this is described in more 84% 54,429 African American detail below). Another factor in the decline in child DCPS enrollment is a drop in the child population living in the District since 1990. Total Enrollment = 65,099

Of those enrolled in public schools, Source: District of Columbia Public Schools, Summary of Membership Report October 7, 2003 84 percent are African American, 10 37

2. Enrollment in public charter population (including both DCPS addition, each state and the District schools continues to rise – the students and public charter students) must develop a plan to ensure all sixth consecutive increase since in the District decreased by only teachers are highly qualified in core the first charter school was 1,852 students, or just 2 percent, subject areas by the 2005-06 school established in 1997. This increase between 1990 and 2003. year. partially offsets the declining enrollments in traditional public 3. No Child Left Behind The District of Columbia initially schools. (Fig. 34) Legislation requires annual selected the Stanford Achievement assessment of public school Test 9th Edition, also referred to as the There were 37 charter schools on 40 students. Stanford-9, to assess its public school campuses in D.C. in 2003-04 accord- students for NCLB, a test that it had ing to the D.C. Public Charter School The federal No Child Left Behind already been using for several years. Association. As noted earlier, public (NCLB) legislation, signed into law in However, the Stanford-9 will be charter schools have open enrollment January 2002, creates assessment and replaced starting in school year 2004- meaning that students living in any accountability requirements for all 05 by another assessment tool, which part of the city are eligible for atten- school districts that receive federal has yet to be determined. The sections dance. Enrollment in the charter funds. Each state and the District of below examine the results of the schools has increased sharply over the Columbia must put in place accounta- Stanford-9 assessments for DCPS past six years, making charter schools bility systems that apply to all public students through the 2003-04 school a significant component of the educa- schools, including public charter year. (We do not have average tional system in the District. The schools. They must develop or select Stanford-9 test scores for public char- number of children enrolled in charter an annual assessment or “testing” sys- ter schools at this time because the schools in the 2003-04 school year tem for reading/language arts, math, two governing boards provide only was 13,743, a 282 percent increase and, eventually, science. These tests individual public charter school scores. since 1998 and an 18 percent increase must be administered annually to all We hope to aggregate these data for from the 2002-03Figu schoolre 3year.4 This public school students and the meas- future Kids Count Fact Books.) increase in charter school enrollment urements must be reported school- means that the total public school by-school and district-by-district. In

Figure 34 Enrollment for DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools Combined 1990 - 2003

85,000 DCPS only

80,000 Total w/ Charter

udents 75,000

70,000

65,000 umber of St

N 60,000

55,000

50,000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Total w/charter * 75,483 77,742 78,806 78,644 79,125 78,842

DCPS only 80,694 80,618 80,937 80,678 80,450 79,802 78,648 77,111 71,889 70,762 68,925 68,449 67,522 65,099

Source: DCPS enrollment from previous Kids Count Fact Books DC Public Charter school enrollment from the DC Public Charter School Association *1997 enrollment not available

4. DCPS students’ Stanford-9 between 2003 and 2004. The remain- time or students who remain in the reading test scores increased ing six grades’ NCE scores remained system may be learning less than stu- slightly or remained the same in the same. Only first graders surpassed dents do on average nationally. 2004. This is an improvement the national average (that is, had a over last year’s decline in reading score above 50) in reading in 2004. 5. DCPS students’ Stanford 9 math scores, although the scores still All other grades fell below the national scores also increased slightly or fall below the national average. average. Some grades, such as 10th remained the same in 2004. (Fig. 35) grade, had average scores as low as 35. Five of the grades scored above the national average in 2004. One way to assess students’ perform- Looking at the reading scores over (Fig. 36) ance in the Stanford-9 is the students’ time, one can see a clear and disquiet- Normal Curve Equivalence (NCE) ing trend. First through 3rd grades’ Four of the 11 grades (2nd, 3rd, 5th, scores. This score is a “norm reference scores tended to increase over the five- and 6th) tested for math performance scale,” which allows individual scores year time period, while grades 9th and in the Stanford-9 increased their aver- to be compared to the entire popula- 10th tend to slope downward. It age NCE scores in 2004. Six of the tion of test takers. A NCE score of 50 should be noted, however, that we are remaining grades scored the same as is the national average of all students looking at scores across grades at fixed 2003, and one grade (7th) scored taking the test. A score of more than points in time. A more accurate meas- lower in 2004. On average, DCPS 50 means that a student scored in the ure of school performance would be to students have higher math scores than top half of all scores in the country; a track the educational achievement of reading scores. For instance, 1st NCE score of below 50 means that the same cohort of students as they through 3rd grades and 5th and 6th the student scored in the bottom half move through the school system. grades scored above the national NCE of the nation. Nevertheless, the data we have suggest average of 50 and in no grade did stu- that the level of academic performance dents rate lower than an average NCE Five of the 11 grades (1st, 2nd, 3rd, tends to fall off in the higher grades. score of 40, which is higher than the 8th, and 11th) tested for reading per- Two possible explanations for this are lowest reading scores. formance by the Stanford-9 increased that the higher performing students theirFigu averagere 3 5NCE scores slightly leave the public school system over Analyzing the math scores over time,

Figure 35 Stanford 9 Achievement Test Scores for Reading DCPS Students 2000 - 2004

60 56 55 54 52 51 50 48 48 48 National Average 50 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 4646 46 46 45 45 45 4545 45 44 44 44 4444 44 44 43 43 42 42 42 41 41 41 41 41 40 E 39 39 39 39

C 38 40 37 37 37 37

N 35 35

ean 30 M 2000 2001 20 2002 2003 10 2004

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 GRADE

Source: District of Columbia Public Schools, Academic Performance Database System 39

Figure 36

Figure 36 Stanford 9 Achievement Test Scores for Math DCPS Students 2000 - 2004

60 56 55 55 54 54 53 53 52 52 52 51 51 51 51 51 51 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 49 49 49 National Average 48 48 48 48 4848 4848 48 48 50 47 47 47 47 46 46 46 45 4545 45 45 45 44 4444 44 44 43 E

C 40 N

2000 30 2001 Mean 2002

20 2003 2004

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 GRADE

Source: District of Columbia Public Schools, Academic Performance Database System Figure 37 the 1st through 6th grades (excluding 4th grade) show a general upward Figure 37 trend in their math scores, while the older grades (9th through 11th) show Percent Scoring Proficient or Advanced for a general downward trend. This is Stanford 9 Test in Reading and Math similar to the pattern exhibited by the DCPS Students reading scores. It suggests either that 2004 higher-skilled students are leaving the 60 system as they get older or that stu- 53 dents learn less math while in DCPS 52 Reading Math than in other systems. 50

6. The percentage of DCPS 40 38 38 students scoring proficient or 34 33 advanced in Stanford-9 reading 29 cent 30 27 and math in 2004 decreased 25 25 Per 23 24 24 significantly in the higher grades. 21 (Fig. 37) 20 13 14 13 13 Another method to assess students’ 12 12 performance from the Stanford-9 is to 10 7 8 look at the percentage of test takers ranked as advanced, proficient, basic, 0 and below basic. This ranking is a “cri- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 terion reference scale” that scores the GRADE percent of questions the student Source: District of Columbia Public Schools, Academic Performance Database System answered correctly and compares them 40 Figure 38

7. When compared Figure 38 to other urban Comparison of National Assessment of Educational Progress Scores for areas, DCPS and DC and Other Urban Cities public charter students generally Grade 4 Reading Math 250 242 rated lower on National average math 234 227 226 226 average in 2003. 216 216 215 220 219 214 210 National average reading 216 (Fig. 38 and 39) 205 206 207 208 197 194 195 198 200 188 Often policy makers and researchers compare the

150 District of Columbia to other states – a mislead-

erage Score ing comparison since the v

A 100 District is entirely an urban area and, therefore, its demographics

50 and student population differ sharply from those of the states. Because not

0 all school districts are District of Atlanta Los Angeles Cleveland Chicago Boston Houston San Diego New York Charlotte Columbia City required to use the same Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, assessment test, compar- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) isons across jurisdictions can also be difficult. In to a standard. When looking at the of Hispanic students scored profi- order to compare the achievements of percentage of DCPS students who cient or advanced in math, compared District public school students to oth- rated as advanced or proficient in the Figuto 85re per39 cent of white students. ers in the country, the National 2004 Stanford-9 reading and math tests, we see that more than half of students start out as proficient or Figure 39 advanced in the first grade. The per- Comparison of National Assessment of Educational Progress Scores for centage scoring at these higher levels DC and Other Urban Cities declines as one moves through the Grade 8 grades, however, with only 13 per- Reading Math cent of 11th graders scoring profi- 290 cient or advanced in reading and National average math 276 279 only 8 percent scoring these levels in 280 math. 270 266 264 264 The test results also indicate wide National average reading 261 262 262 260 disparities in academic perform- 254 253 252 252 ance between racial and ethnic 250 250 248 groups (not shown in Figure 37). 245 246 243 244 erage Score

Across all grades, only 34 percent v 239 240 240 A 240 of Hispanic and 35 percent of 234 African American DCPS students scored proficient or above in read- 230 ing, compared to 83 percent of non-Hispanic white students. For 220 math, the gaps between scores were slightly narrower but the differ- 210 Los Angeles District of Atlanta Cleveland Houston Chicago San Diego Boston New York City Charlotte ences between groups remained. Columbia Only 42 percent of African Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, American students and 50 percent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

41 Assessment of Educational Progress 8. DCPS average SAT scores SAT scores for DCPS students have (NAEP) can be used. Like the remained below the national historically been below the national Stanford-9, the NAEP tests on specific average in 2004 although their average. This continues to hold true math content and basic reading skills. scores increased slightly from the in 2004. The national average com- A representative sample of DCPS and previous year. (Fig. 40) bined (verbal and math) score was public charter students, along with 1,020 in 2004, compared to the samples of students from nine other The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is DCPS average combined score of 814. large urban school districts, voluntarily a nation-wide test taken primarily by On a positive note, however, DCPS participated in the Trial Urban District high school juniors and seniors. It is students raised their combined average Assessment (TUDA), which was con- one of two major tests, the other being SAT score by 14 points from 2003 – ducted by the National Assessment of the ACT, used to judge whether a sec- an increase of 6 points in math and 8 Educational Progress in the spring of ondary school student is prepared for points in verbal. It is also encouraging 2003. Because all of these students college. The SAT is intended to meas- that more DCPS students took the took the same test at the same time, ure two sets of skills – verbal and SAT in the spring of 2004 than in the the results allow us to directly com- mathematical reasoning – that stu- previous year – a modest increase of pare academic performance across dents need for college-level work in 41 students totaling 3,565 students – different urban areas. any academic area. Most colleges and suggesting that slightly more youth in universities require that students sub- the District are preparing for the pos- The NAEP tests were administered to mitFigu theirre SAT 40 or ACT scores as part sibility of college. 4th and 8th grade students in the 10 of the application process. urban areas. The results are summarized in Figures 38 and 39. District public and public charter school chil- Figure 40 dren in both grades scored lower on average for math than their counter- SAT Verbal and Math Scores DC vs Nation parts in each of the other nine cities, although the average math score for 2003 and 2004

District 8th graders was only one 800 point lower than those for Atlanta. The highest math scores were in the 700 Charlotte, North Carolina school dis- Verbal trict, whose 4th graders had an average 600 508 518 Math score of 242, 37 points higher than 500 the District, and whose 8th graders 396 404 404 410

e Score 400 had an average score of 279, 36 points g higher than the District. ra 300 Ave For reading, District public and public 200 charter school students had lower average NAEP scores than nine of the 100 other cities in the 4th grade, and lower 0 average scores than eight of the nine DC 2003 DC 2004 US 2004 other cities in the 8th grade. Fourth Source: The College Board SAT, summary reporting service graders in the District had the lowest average score of 188. For 8th graders, the District only surpassed Los Angeles with a score of 239 versus 234. Again, the highest average reading scores in both grades were for students in Charlotte, 219 for 4th graders and 262 for 8th graders.

42 V.

SELECTED INDICATORS BY WARD AND RACE/ETHNICITY

n this section, we compare the Comparing the Wards LOCATIONS OF WARDS IN THE District’s eight wards with the city DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Ias a whole and with each other on The table on page 44 compares the various measures of child well-being. city total to the eight wards. The first We also compare these selected indica- three rows are general demographic tors by race and ethnicity. The indica- indicators (estimated population, tors shown here are among the few for children under 18, and live births). 4 which we could obtain usable data at The rest are indicators of children’s the ward level or for those where racial health and well-being and those 3 data were collected. receiving public assistance. 1 5

There are two tables plus a map. The To compare the health indicator data, map on this page shows the locations please note the following pattern for 2 7 of each of the eight wards. The tables many of the indicators (using births 6 present statistics on certain indicators- to single mothers as an example): both numbers of children affected and First we list the total number of births rates, usually in terms of percentages- to single mothers: 4,233 in the entire for the city as a whole and for each city, 587 in Ward 1. 8 ward or each racial/ethnic group. Second, the percentage of all live births in the city or ward that were to Single Mothers: 56 percent of all births in the city were to single mothers, as were 55 percent of those in Ward 1. Third, the percent of all single births in the city or ward that occurred in that location: 100 percent occurred in the city as a whole, and 17 percent of them occurred in Ward 1.

Indicators by Race and Hispanic Ethnicity

The table on page 45 shows how each race/ethnicity groups ranks among the others. The indicators are formed in the same way as the ward table. In many areas, the racial/ethnic gap is stark compared to the ward divisions, while in others it is more modest.

43 TABLE 1 Comparing District Wards on Indicators of Child Health, Mortality and Child Welfare Recipiency Washington, D.C.

District of Columbia Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8

Total Population, 2000 572,059 72,978 69,351 73,804 74,939 71,504 68,038 70,545 70,900 % of Total Population 100% 13% 12% 13% 13% 12% 12% 12% 12%

Children Under 18, 2000 114,332 13,029 5,445 8,725 15,332 15,272 11,739 19,425 25,364 % of Population that is under 18 20% 18% 8% 12% 20% 21% 17% 28% 36% % of City’s Child Population 100% 11% 5% 8% 13% 13% 10% 17% 22%

Babies Born Alive, 2002 7,494 1,064 581 748 1,058 852 791 922 1,420 % of Live Births in City 100% 14% 8% 10% 14% 11% 11% 12% 19%

Health and Mortality Indicators (2002) Births to Single Mothers 4,233 587 176 38 519 620 400 748 1,113 % of Live Births 56% 55% 30% 5% 49% 73% 51% 81% 78% % of Births to Single in City 100% 14% 4% 1% 12% 15% 9% 18% 26%

Births to Teen Mothers (Under 20) 956 132 33 4 116 148 86 169 266 % of Live Births 13% 12% 6% 1% 11% 17% 11% 18% 19% % of Teen Births in City 100% 14% 3% 0% 12% 15% 9% 18% 28%

Birth to Child Mothers (Under 18) 369 47 12 0 46 6 34 73 95 % of Live Births 5% 4% 2% 0% 4% 7% 4% 8% 7% % of Child Births in City 100% 13% 3% 0% 12% 16% 9% 20% 26%

Percent of Births with Adequate Care 69% 71% 71% 87% 68% 66% 69% 59% 58%

Low Birthweight Babies (Under 5.5 Pounds 866 112 52 50 114 111 85 122 207 % of Live Births 12% 11% 9% 7% 11% 13% 11% 13% 15% % of Low Birthweights in City 100% 13% 6% 6% 13% 13% 10% 14% 24%

Infant Deaths (Under 1 Year) 86 13 7 4 11 9 12 16 13 Rate (per 1,000 Live Births 11.5 12.1 11.8 5.3 10.4 10.7 15.4 17.2 9.2 % of Infant Deaths in the City 100% 15% 8% 5% 13% 11% 14% 18% 15%

Deaths to Children and Youth (1-19 Years 65 9 2 4 9 3 6 15 15 % of Child and Youth Deaths in City 100% 14% 3% 6% 14% 5% 9% 23% 23%

Deaths to Teens (15-19 Years) 46 6 1 2 5 3 5 11 12 % of Teen Deaths in City 100% 13% 2% 4% 11% 7% 11% 24% 26%

Teen Murders (15-19) 33 4 0 0 3 3 3 11 8 % of Teens Murders in City 100% 12% 0% 0% 9% 9% 9% 33% 25%

Welfare Indicators (June 2004) Total Number of Children Receiving TANF 33,211 2,636 2,978 22 2,422 4,628 4,579 6,608 9,338 % of Children Receiving TANF 100% 8% 9% 0% 7% 14% 14% 20% 28%

Total Number of Children Receiving Food 38,990 3,155 3,485 37 2,762 5,346 5,357 7,964 10,884” % of Children Receiving Food Stamps 100% 8% 9% 0% 7% 14% 14% 20% 28%

Total Number of Children Receiving Medic 71,953 7,938 11,283 408 7,755 8,647 7,920 12,113 15,885 % of Children Receiving Medicaid 100% 11% 16% 1% 11% 12% 11% 17% 22%

Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000; District of Columbia State Center for Health Statistics, 2002. 44 TABLE 2 Comparing Racial and Ethnic Groups on Indicators of Child Health, Mortality and Child Welfare Recipiency Washington, D.C. Non-Hispanic Non-Hispanic Non-Hispanic Unknown Total White Black Hispanic Other*

Total Population, 2000 572,059 160,525 346,354 45,015 20,165 - % of Total Population 100% 28% 61% 8% 4% -

Children Under 18, 2000 114,332 13,545 85,179 11,183 4,425 - % of Population that is under 18 20% 8% 25% 25% 22% - % of City’s Child Population 100% 12% 75% 10% 4% -

Babies Born Alive, 2002 7,494 1,699 4,509 1,000 250 36 % of Live Births in City 100% 23% 60% 13% 3% 0%

Health and Mortality Indicators (2002) Births to Single Mothers 4,233 130 3,461 589 37 16 % of Live Births to Race/Ethnicity Group 56% 8% 77% 59% 15% 44% % of Births to Single in City 100% 3% 82% 14% 1% 0%

Births to Teen Mothers (Under 20) 956 18 778 146 9 5 % of Live Births to Race/Ethnicity Group 13% 1% 17% 15% 4% 14% % of Teen Births in City 100% 2% 81% 15% 1% 1%

Birth to Child Mothers (Under 18) 369 7 301 55 2 4 % of Live Births to Race/Ethnicity Group 5% 0% 7% 6% 1% 11% % of Child Births in City 100% 2% 82% 15% 1% 1%

Percent of Births with Adequate Care 69% 87% 61% 64% 74% 63%

Low Birthweight Babies (Under 5.5 Pounds) 866 105 655 95 9 2 % of Live Births to Race/Ethnicity Group 12% 6% 15% 10% 4% 6% % of Low Birthweights in City 100% 12% 76% 11% 1% 0%

Infant Deaths (Under 1 Year) 86 12 66 3 5 0 Rate (per 1,000 Live Births) 11.5 7.1 14.6 3.0 20.0 0.0 % of Infant Deaths in the City 100% 14% 77% 3% 6% 0%

Deaths to Children and Youth (1-19 Years) 65 5 59 1 0 0 % of Child and Youth Deaths in City 100% 8% 91% 2% 0% 0%

Deaths to Teens (15-19 Years) 46 3 42 1 0 0 % of Teen Deaths in City 100% 7% 91% 2% 0% 0%

Teen Murders (15-19) 33 1 32 0 0 0 % of Teens Murders in City 100% 3% 97% 0% 0% 0%

Welfare Indicators (June 2004)** Total Number of Children Receiving TANF 33,211 46 32,341 714 76 33 % of Children Receiving TANF 100% 0% 97% 2% 0% 0%

Total Number of Children Receiving Food Stamps 38,990 82 37,504 1,216 160 27 % of Children Receiving Food Stamps 100% 0% 96% 3% 0% 0%

*Note: The non-Hispanic other category includes multiple races.

**Note: The racial categories for the welfare indicators are white, black, Hispanic, other and unknown. They are not explicitly ethnically-exclusive (i.e., non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, etc.) as for the other indicators. Racial breakdowns were calculated by applying proportions obtained from July 2004 TANF and Food Stamp client data to June 2004 totals; racial breakdowns were not available for the Medicaid recipients. Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000; District of Columbia State Center for Health Statistics, 2002; D.C. Data Warehouse, Urban Institute

45 46

VI.

Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being by Neighborhood Cluster

n this section, we present four maps and data tables on selected indicators of child well-being at the neighborhood level. The maps Iare infant mortality rate, percent of low weight births, deaths ages 1- to 19-years old, and percent of births to mothers 19-years old or younger.

The neighborhood level data reported here are based on 39 neighborhood clusters into which the District has been divided by the D.C. Office of Planning. The Mayor's office developed and released 39 Strategic Neighborhood Action Plans (SNAPs) based on these cluster designations.

The cluster-level data in this section provide an opportunity for members of the community to review the situation of children in their own neighborhoods, and possibly to provide feedback on what actions they believe should be included in future SNAPs.

Each cluster is identified with a number on the maps. These cluster numbers can be used in connection with the table accompanying each map. The table shows the ward in which the cluster is located, the cluster number, and the names of the individual neighborhoods contained in each cluster. (Cluster boundaries sometimes overlap ward boundaries, and in such cases the ward containing the largest part of the cluster is given as its location.)

With these clearly marked and shaded maps, along with the detailed data charts accompanying each, readers will be able to identify where in the city specific problems exist and determine what level of each problem exists in their own neighborhood. Equipped with this information, we hope that they will be in a position to act and advocate more effectively for the well-being of the District's children.

47 MAP 1 Infant Mortality Rate by Neighborhood Cluster Washington, D.C. 2002

48 2002 Ward Neighborhood Neighborhoods Cluster Name Infant Mortality Rate Cluster Number (per 1,000 live Births)

1 1 Kalorama Heights, Adams Morgan, Lanier Hights 6 1 2 Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Park View 12 1 3 Howard University, Ledroit Park, Cardozo/Shaw 21 2 4 Georgetown, Burleith/Hillandale 5 2 5 West End, Foggy Bottom, GWU 0 2 6 Dupont Circle, Connecticut Ave., K St. 0 2 7 Logan Circle, Shaw 23 2 8 Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarters, Mt.Vernon Square, North Capitol St. 27 6 9 Southwest Employment Area, Waterfront,Fort McNair, Buzzard Point 0 4 10 Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase 0 3 11 Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, American University Park 0 3 12 North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Van Ness 0 3 13 Springs Valley, Palisades, Wesley Heights, Foxhall Crescent, Foxhall Village, Georgetown Reservoir 6 3 14 Catherdral Heights, McLean Gardens, Glover Park 21 3 15 Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Massachusetts Heights, Normanstone Terrace 9 4 16 Colonial Village, Shepard Park, North Portal Estates 26 4 17 Takoma, Brightwood, Manor Park 12 4 18 Brightwood Park, Crestwood, Petworth 11 4 19 Lamond Riggs, Fort Totten, Queens Chapel, Pleasant Hill 0 5 20 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, University Heights 0 5 21 Edgewood, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, Eckington 0 5 22 Brookland, Brentwood, Langdon 0 5 23 Ivy City, Arboretum, Trinidad, Carver Langston 32 5 24 Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, Gateway 22 6 25 Union Station, Stanton Park, Kingman Park 14 6 26 Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park 23 6 27 Near Southeast, Navy Yard 12 8 28 Historic Anacostia 0 7 29 Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth 0 7 30 Mayfair, Hillbrook, Mahaning Heights 9 7 31 Deanwood, Burrville, Grant Park, Lincoln Heights, Fairmont Heights 14 7 32 River Terrace, Benning, Greenway,Dupont Park 7 7 33 Capitol View, Marshall Heights, Benning Heights 29 7 34 Twining, Fairlawn, Randle Highlands, Penn Branch, Fort Davis Park 16 7 35 Fairfax Village, Naylor Gardens, Hillcrest, Summit Park 12 8 36 Woodland/Fort Stanton, Knox Hill, Garfield Heights 8 8 37 Sheridan, Barry Farms, Buena Vista 10 8 38 Douglass, Shipley Terrace 11 8 39 Congress Heights, Bellevue, Washington Highlands 10

Source: D.C. Department of Health State Center for Health Statistics Administration 2002

49 MAP 2 Percent of Low Weight Births by Neighborhood Cluster Washington, D.C. 2002

50 2002 Ward Neighborhood Cluster Neighborhoods Cluster Name Total Number of Percent of Number Number Low Weight Low Weight of Births Births Births

1 1 Kalorama Heights, Adams Morgan, Lanier Hights 165 5 3.0% 1 2 Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Park View 823 89 10.8% 1 3 Howard University, Ledroit Park, Cardozo/Shaw 94 17 17.9% 2 4 Georgetown, Burleith/Hillandale 190 7 3.7% 2 5 West End, Foggy Bottom, GWU 35 6 16.0% 2 6 Dupont Circle, Connecticut Ave., K St. 98 6 6.5% 2 7 Logan Circle, Shaw 261 33 12.6% 2 8 Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarters, Mt.Vernon Square, North Capitol St. 111 16 14.4% 6 9 Southwest Employment Area, Waterfront,Fort McNair, Buzzard Point 94 10 10.6% 4 10 Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase 171 7 4.1% 3 11 Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, American University Park 148 9 6.1% 3 12 North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Van Ness 125 8 6.6% 3 13 Springs Valley, Palisades,Wesley Heights, Foxhall Crescent, Foxhall Village, Georgetown 178 15 8.4% 3 14 Catherdral Heights, McLean Gardens, Glover Park 94 6 6.4% 3 15 Cleveland Park, Woodley Park,Massachusetts Heights, Normanstone Terrace 117 11 9.2% 4 16 Colonial Village, Shepard Park, North Portal Estates 39 <5 2.6% 4 17 Takoma, Brightwood, Manor Park 252 32 12.7% 4 18 Brightwood Park, Crestwood, Petworth 613 70 11.4% 4 19 Lamond Riggs,Fort Totten, Queens Chapel, Pleasant Hill 112 11 9.8% 5 20 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, University Heights 87 12 13.8% 5 21 Edgewood,Bloomingdale,Truxton Circle, Eckington 246 31 12.6% 5 22 Brookland, Brentwood, Langdon 120 23 19.2% 5 23 Ivy City, Arboretum, Trinidad, Carver Langston 222 24 10.8% 5 24 Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, Gateway 91 15 16.5% 6 25 Union Station, Stanton Park, Kingman Park 356 37 10.4% 6 26 Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park 176 13 7.4% 6 27 Near Southeast, Navy Yard 83 12 14.5% 8 28 Historic Anacostia 111 21 18.9% 7 29 Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth 38 <5 10.5% 7 30 Mayfair, Hillbrook, Mahaning Heights 99 17 17.5% 7 31 Deanwood, Burrville, Grant Park, Lincoln Heights, Fairmont Heights 218 29 13.1% 7 32 River Terrace, Benning, Greenway,Dupont Park 153 18 11.8% 7 33 Capitol View, Marshall Heights, Benning Heights 207 32 15.5% 7 34 Twining, Fairlawn, Randle Highlands, Penn Branch, Fort Davis Park 183 25 13.7% 7 35 Fairfax Village, Naylor Gardens, Hillcrest, Summit Park 85 6 7.1% 8 36 Woodland/Fort Stanton, Knox Hill, Garfield Heights 125 22 17.6% 8 37 Sheridan, Barry Farms, Buena Vista 201 32 15.9% 8 38 Douglass, Shipley Terrace 178 28 15.7% 8 39 Congress Heights, Bellevue, Washington Highlands 603 81 13.4%

Source: D.C. Department of Health State Center for Health Statistics Administration 2002

51 MAP 3 Mortality Rates for 1- to 19-Years Old by Neighborhood Cluster Washington, D.C. 2002

52 2002 Ward Neighborhood Neighborhood Cluster Name Death Rate Age 1 Cluster Number to 19 (per 1,000)

1 1 Kalorama Heights,Adams Morgan,Lanier Hights 0.5 1 2 Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Park View 0.5 1 3 Howard University, Ledroit Park, Cardozo/Shaw 0.7 2 4 Georgetown,Burleith/Hillandale 0.0 2 5 West End, Foggy Bottom, GWU 0.0 2 6 Dupont Circle, Connecticut Ave., K St. 1.1 2 7 Logan Circle, Shaw 0.3 2 8 Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarters, Mt.Vernon Square, North Capitol St. 1.5 6 9 Southwest Employment Area, Waterfront,Fort McNair, Buzzard Point 1.5 4 10 Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase 0.8 3 11 Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, American University Park 1.0 3 12 North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Van Ness 0.0 3 13 Springs Valley, Palisades,Wesley Heights, Foxhall Crescent, Foxhall Village, Geor 0.0 3 14 Catherdral Heights, McLean Gardens, Glover Park 1.1 3 15 Cleveland Park, Woodley Park,Massachusetts Heights, Normanstone Terrace 0.0 4 16 Colonial Village, Shepard Park, North Portal Estates 0.0 4 17 Takoma, Brightwood, Manor Park 0.5 4 18 Brightwood Park, Crestwood, Petworth 0.6 4 19 Lamond Riggs,Fort Totten, Queens Chapel, Pleasant Hill 0.0 5 20 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, University Heights 0.5 5 21 Edgewood,Bloomingdale,Truxton Circle, Eckington 0.0 5 22 Brookland, Brentwood, Langdon 0.4 5 23 Ivy City, Arboretum, Trinidad, Carver Langston 0.3 5 24 Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, Gateway 0.0 6 25 Union Station, Stanton Park, Kingman Park 0.0 6 26 Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park 0.0 6 27 Near Southeast, Navy Yard 0.0 8 28 Historic Anacostia 0.5 7 29 Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth 0.0 7 30 Mayfair, Hillbrook, Mahaning Heights 0.0 7 31 Deanwood, Burrville, Grant Park, Lincoln Heights, Fairmont Heights 0.7 7 32 River Terrace, Benning, Greenway,Dupont Park 0.8 7 33 Capitol View, Marshall Heights, Benning Heights 1.2 7 34 Twining, Fairlawn, Randle Highlands, Penn Branch, Fort Davis Park 0.8 7 35 Fairfax Village, Naylor Gardens, Hillcrest, Summit Park 0.5 8 36 Woodland/Fort Stanton, Knox Hill, Garfield Heights 1.2 8 37 Sheridan, Barry Farms, Buena Vista 0.0 8 38 Douglass, Shipley Terrace 0.2 8 39 Congress Heights, Bellevue, Washington Highlands 0.8

Sources: D.C. Department of Health State Center for Health Statistics Administration, 2002 U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000

MAP 4 Percent of Births to Mothers Under Age 20 by Neighborhood Cluster Washington, D.C. 2002

Births to Mothers Under Age 20

54 2002 Ward Neighborhood Cluster Neighborhoods Cluster Name Births to Teen Percent of Births Number Mothers (Under 20) to Teen Mothers (Under 20)

1 1 Kalorama Heights,Adams Morgan,Lanier Hights 11 6.7% 1 2 Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Park View 114 13.9% 1 3 Howard University, Ledroit Park, Cardozo/Shaw 9 9.5% 2 4 Georgetown,Burleith/Hillandale 0 0.0% 2 5 West End, Foggy Bottom, GWU <5 2.8% 2 6 Dupont Circle, Connecticut Ave., K St. <5 3.1% 2 7 Logan Circle, Shaw 27 10.3% 2 8 Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarters, Mt.Vernon Square, North Capitol St. 15 13.5% 6 9 Southwest Employment Area, Waterfront,Fort McNair, Buzzard Point 12 12.8% 4 10 Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase 0 0.0% 3 11 Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, American University Park 0 0.0% 3 12 North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Van Ness 0 0.0% 3 13 Springs Valley, Palisades,Wesley Heights, Foxhall Crescent, Foxhall Village, Georgetown Reservoir 0 0.0% 3 14 Catherdral Heights, McLean Gardens, Glover Park <5 3.2% 3 15 Cleveland Park, Woodley Park,Massachusetts Heights, Normanstone Terrace <5 0.9% 4 16 Colonial Village, Shepard Park, North Portal Estates <5 5.1% 4 17 Takoma, Brightwood, Manor Park 24 9.5% 4 18 Brightwood Park, Crestwood, Petworth 86 14.0% 4 19 Lamond Riggs,Fort Totten, Queens Chapel, Pleasant Hill 17 15.2% 5 20 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, University Heights 12 13.8% 5 21 Edgewood,Bloomingdale,Truxton Circle, Eckington 41 16.7% 5 22 Brookland, Brentwood, Langdon 30 25.0% 5 23 Ivy City, Arboretum, Trinidad, Carver Langston 41 18.5% 5 24 Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, Gateway 10 11.0% 6 25 Union Station, Stanton Park, Kingman Park 36 10.1% 6 26 Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park 6 3.4% 6 27 Near Southeast, Navy Yard 17 20.5% 8 28 Historic Anacostia 22 19.8% 7 29 Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth 11 28.9% 7 30 Mayfair, Hillbrook, Mahaning Heights 17 17.5% 7 31 Deanwood, Burrville, Grant Park, Lincoln Heights, Fairmont Heights 39 17.7% 7 32 River Terrace, Benning, Greenway,Dupont Park 27 17.6% 7 33 Capitol View, Marshall Heights, Benning Heights 50 24.2% 7 34 Twining, Fairlawn, Randle Highlands, Penn Branch, Fort Davis Park 35 19.1% 7 35 Fairfax Village, Naylor Gardens, Hillcrest, Summit Park 11 12.9% 8 36 Woodland/Fort Stanton, Knox Hill, Garfield Heights 27 21.6% 8 37 Sheridan, Barry Farms, Buena Vista 41 20.4% 8 38 Douglass, Shipley Terrace 34 19.1% 8 39 Congress Heights, Bellevue, Washington Highlands 111 18.4%

Source: D.C. Department of Health State Center for Health Statistics Administration 2002

55 VII.

A Few Words About the Data

DATA DEFINITIONS AND Maintenance Administration programs, Babies Born Without Adequate SOURCES the data published are from 2004. Prenatal Care (in alphabetical order) Some health data, such as common sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ How Defined: The annual average number and percentage of infants e attempt to define our AIDS, and vaccinations, are from 2003. Vital statistics data (which born to mothers who received no pre- indicators clearly and ade- natal care, adequate care, inadequate quately in the Fact Book include all indicators pertaining to W births and deaths) collected by D.C. care, or intermediate care, based on and to indicate data sources in the text Department of Health, State Center for the Institute of Medicine criteria, as and in all figures and tables. However, shown in the adjoining table. some data sources may need more Health Statistics Administration are description and certain limitations from 2002. The reason for the delay in Source: The index was computed by may need to be discussed. Therefore, reported vital statistics data is because the Urban Institute from the D.C. in this section we provide additional these data apply to D.C. residents Department of Health, State Center information on definitions, sources, regardless of where they were at the for Health Statistics Administration. and data limitations for a number of time of the birth or death, so these data Data are as of 2002. the indicators presented. must be gathered through an interstate network and are not available until the Limitation(s): Reporting of prenatal care is voluntary, usually at the mother’s The D.C. Kids Count Fact Book second year following their collection. All data presented in the Fact Book discretion, and while many hospitals reports the latest data available. For link doctor’s office visit records with some indicators, like those on the have been compiled by the Urban Institute’s DC Data Warehouse. self-reported data, the level of report- District’s economy and the Income ing varies widely from year to year. In 2002, prenatal care levels could be INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE CRITERIA FOR ADEQUACY OF PRENATAL CARE determined for 86 percent of all births to mothers living in the District. We Category If Gestation is And Number of Prenatal were unable to determine the care lev- (in Weeks): Visits Is at Least: els for the remaining 14 percent or Adequate 13 or Less 1 1,025 births. (care initiated in 14 to 17 2 the 1st trimester and) 18 to 21 3 Births to All DC Mothers 22 to 25 4 How Defined: Birth records are part of 26 to 29 5 the vital statistics system and are col- 30 to 31 6 lected for all District residents even if 32 to 33 7 the mother gives birth in another 34 to 35 8 jurisdiction. 36 or More 9 Source: D.C. Department of Health, And Number of Prenatal State Center for Health Statistics Visits Is No More Than: Administration. Data are as of 2002. Inadequate 14 to 21 0 (care initiated in 22 to 29 1 Births to Single Mothers the 3rd trimester or) 30 to 31 2 How Defined: The annual number and 32 to 33 3 percent of births that occur to moth- 34 or More 4 ers who do not report themselves as married when registering for the birth. Intermediate All Combinations Other Than Above Source: D.C. Department of Health, Source: Shawstack JA, Budetti PP and Minkler D. American Journal of Public Health. 1984, 74, pp 1003-1008. State Center for Health Statistics Administration. Data are as of 2002. 56

Births to Teenage Mothers D.C. Public School Enrollment Juvenile Cases How Defined: The annual number and How Defined: The number of children How Defined: The annual number of percent of births that are to women or enrolled as of October 7th of each new cases filed against juveniles (under girls between 15 and 19 years of age. given year. This number is used to age 18) in the D.C. Superior Court. approximate the number of children Source: D.C. Department of Health, Source: The Annual Reports of the enrolled for the entire school year. State Center for Health Statistics District of Columbia Courts. Data are Administration. Data are as of 2002. Source: The D.C. Public Schools as of 2003. official web site (http://www. Limitation(s): Note that many of these Limitation(s): Court statistics are not k12.dc.us/dcps/home.html). Most young mothers aged 18 or 19 are available for wards or other sub-areas recent data are from the 2003-04 legally adults. Vital statistics by age are of the District. school year. normally reported for five-year age groups, e.g., 15- to 19-years old. The Low Birth Weight Babies national KIDS COUNT Data Book Homeless Children and Families How Defined: The annual number of reports these numbers in the same way. How Defined: Data are a yearly snap- babies born at weights under 5.5 shot of the “literally homeless” and the pounds or 2,500 grams. Child Abuse and Neglect Cases “permanently supported homeless.” The literally homeless are those who Source: D.C. Department of Health, How Defined: The annual number of are on the streets, in emergency shel- State Center for Health Statistics new cases filed with the D.C. Superior ters temporarily, in transitional hous- Administration. Data are as of 2002. Court alleging child abuse or neglect. ing temporarily, or in precarious hous- Source: The Annual Reports of the ing at imminent risk of losing it and Paternity Cases District of Columbia Courts. Data are looking into shelters. The permanently as of 2003. supported homeless are those who live How Defined: The number of new in permanent supportive housing but cases alleging paternity filed with the Limitation(s): These are cases alleging who would be at risk of becoming D.C. Superior Court. child abuse or neglect filed in court; homeless again without this housing they do not constitute verified occur- Source: The Annual Reports of the because of extreme poverty or serious rences of abuse or neglect. The D.C. District of Columbia Courts. Data are mental or physical disabilities. Government does keep track of veri- as of 2003. fied instances of child abuse, however, Source: The Homeless Services Limitation(s): Court statistics are not and the numbers are considerably Planning and Coordinating available for wards or other sub-areas smaller than those provided by the Committee of the Metropolitan of the District Court data. Nonetheless, there may be Washington Council of Governments a variety of reasons why actual abuses and the Coalition of the Homeless. Public Charter School might not be verified and therefore Data for number of homeless are as of Enrollment both measures likely understate the 2004 and number of families seeking extent of the problem. Either source shelter as of 2003. How Defined: The aggregate number can probably serve better as indicators of children enrolled in the public char- Limitation(s): Homeless statistics are of change in the problem over time ter schools for the school year. not available for wards or other sub- rather than as exact measures of the areas of the District. Source: The D.C. Public Charter magnitude in a particular year. Court School Board. Data are as of school statistics are not available for wards or year 2003-04. other sub-areas of the District. Infant Mortality Rate How Defined: The number of deaths Limitation(s): There are two boards Child Support Cases to infants under one-year old per responsible for overseeing public char- 1,000 live births. Note that this is not ters, the D.C. Board of Education and How Defined: The annual number of a percentage. the D.C. Public Charter School new cases filed for child support in the Board. There is no one centralized District of Columbia. Source: D.C. Department of Health, location providing data on public State Center for Health Statistics Source: The Annual Reports of the charters and often sources differ on Administration. Data are as of 2002. District of Columbia Courts. Data are the number of children enrolled in as of 2003. public charter schools. Limitation(s): Court statistics are not available for wards or other sub-areas of the District. 57 Poverty Rate recognized measures of economic lower poverty estimates. This is mainly security nationally and is therefore because the CPS is based on a smaller How Defined: The Social Security very useful in tracking the economic sample and less effort is made to Administration (SSA) developed the well-being of children and families obtain results that are completely rep- original poverty definition in 1964, over time. It should be noted, however, resentative than the Decennial Census, which federal interagency committees that while the poverty levels or thresh- which makes greater efforts to reach subsequently revised in 1969 and olds are updated annually in accord respondents. Poor people are general- 1980. To determine a person's poverty with changes in the federal cost of liv- ly harder to contact, and thus are status, one compares the person's total ing index, many experts – including more likely to be missed in the CPS. family income with the poverty Mollie Orshansky, who developed However, the CPS survey expanded threshold appropriate for that person's them decades ago – believe them to be its sample in 2002 from 50,000 to family size and composition. If the based on outdated concepts and far 80,000 people. This was specifically total income of that person's family is too low. For instance, in 2003 the done to add more households with less than the threshold appropriate for poverty threshold for a single parent children. Furthermore, the CPS col- that family, then the person is consid- with one child under 18 was only lects a greater amount and more ered poor, together with every mem- $12,682 – slightly over $1,000 per detailed information on households, ber of his or her family, including all month – while the threshold for a income and employment. Combined, children. The poverty thresholds are two-parent, two-child family was only these data are used to determine levels revised annually to allow for changes $18,660. In comparison, the Economic of poverty. For these reasons many in the cost of living as reflected in the Policy Institute’s “living wage” for a believe that the CPS figures are more Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The family of four in the District, which is accurate at reading levels of poverty poverty thresholds are the same for all meant to represent the “income from year to year as compared to the parts of the country - they are not required to have a safe and decent, Census. adjusted for regional, state or local though basic, standard of living” and variations in the cost of living. (For a is based on actual local costs, is almost Poverty statistics from the CPS are not detailed discussion of the poverty three times this amount at $53,375 available for wards or other sub-areas definition, see U.S. Census Bureau, per year. of the District. Current Population Reports, ''Poverty in the United States: 1999,'' P-60- The U.S. Census Bureau collects 210.) nation-wide data every 10 years. In TANF (Welfare) Payments order to show the poverty rate for How Defined: TANF stands for Source: The U.S. Census Bureau for 2000 through 2003, we used the U.S. year 2000 and the Current Population Temporary Assistance to Needy Census Bureau’s Current Population Families and it replaced the Aid to Survey (CPS) for years 2001, 2002, Survey (CPS). Results from the CPS 2003, and 2004. Families with Dependent Children are not directly comparable to those program in 1996. The TANF data Limitation(s): The federal poverty rate from the Census, as in the past the represents the number of children that is one of the most widely used and CPS has often yielded considerably received TANF payments in a given time period (year or month). Source: D.C. Department of Human Services, Income Maintenance Administration. Data are as of June 2004.

Teen Violent Deaths How Defined: The annual number of deaths from violent causes (accident, murder, or suicide) to persons aged 15 to 19. Source: D.C. Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics Administration. Data are as of 2002.

Mecca Sawyer - “Daddy’s Little Girl”

58 VIII.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ongratulations are extended to Dr. Fern Johnson-Clarke, Chief, advocates of the District’s Research and Statistics Division, D.C. CChildren, including individu- Department of Health, State Center als, families, neighborhoods, organiza- for Health Statistics Administration; tions and communities who have Mary Levy, Consultant to Parents advocated for children and who have United for the D.C. Public Schools; made the publication of this annual Cora Thorne, Statistical Officer, Fact Book possible. Research and Development Division, District of Columbia Courts; Kate We are particularly grateful to the fol- Jesberg, Administrator, and Terri lowing people and organizations, Thompson, D.C. Department of which contributed their efforts this Human Services, Income year: Maintenance Administration; The Community Partnership for the Peter Tatian, Jennifer Comey, and Prevention of Homelessness; Paul Correy Kennedy - Brea Jessica Cigna of the Urban Institute, Roddy, Director, Domestic Violence for their expert data collection, analy- Unit, D.C. Superior Court; Kompan sis, reporting, and dedication; Ngamsnga, Epidemiologist, D.C. Administration for HIV/AIDS, of Public Policy, DC Action for Latisha Atkins, J.D., Director of Epidemiology Division; Michelle Children; Ellen London, Public Policy, D.C. Children’s Trust Amar-Harried, Surveillance Communications and Development Fund and Project Director, D.C. Coordinator, D.C. Department of Manager, DC Children and Youth KIDS COUNT, for her text contribu- Health, Bureau of STD Control, Investment Trust Corporation; Julie tions and for editing and managing Surveillance Unit; Peter Tatian, Koo, Outreach Coordinator, D.C. the production of the Fact Book; Research Associate, The Urban Mayor’s Office of Asian & Pacific Robin Johnson for her administrative Institute, D.C. Data Warehouse; Islander Affairs; Jo-Anne Hurlston, support; Christine Kaucher, Program Manager, Associate Director for Membership Child Care Services Division, D.C. Services, D.C. Public Charter School Kinaya C. Sokoya, Executive Director, Office of Early Childhood Association; Maria Harris, Chief, D.C. Children’s Trust Fund for the Development; for contributing the Children’s Division, D.C. Public Prevention of Child Abuse; Jennifer excellent data without which the Fact Library; Tahi Reynolds, Ph.D., Riccards, Turning the Page; Jo-Anne Book could not exist. Researcher and Policy Analyst, D.C. Hurlston, D.C. Public Charter School VOICE; Kendra Dunn, Executive Association; Susie Cambria, D.C. Members of the D.C. KIDS COUNT Director, Prevent Child Abuse of Action for Children; Elva Anderson, Collaborative for Children and Metropolitan Washington; Peter Children’s National Medical Center; Families for their continued support Tatian, Senior Research Associate, The and Dr. Krisha Roy, Evaluator, La and assistance with dissemination of Urban Institute, D.C. Data Clinica Del Pueblo; for their skillful the Fact Book: Ora Graham, Warehouse (provided neighborhood editing and contributions to the pro- Supervisor of Community Resources, data, maps, and analysis); and Jennifer duction of the Fact Book; Child and Family Services Agency; Riccards, Vice President, Turning the Chrissy Rivers, Manager, Community Page. Ingrid Gehle with Gehle Design Relations, Children’s National Medical Associates, Inc. for the design and lay- Center; Heather McClure, Policy and Photos provided by: out of the Fact Book; Research Director, Council of Latino The William Wendt Center for Loss Agencies; Angela M. Jones, Executive and Healing Director and Susie Cambria, Director Turning the Page.

59 IX.

2004 Literacy Through Photography: Turning the Page Writings and Photos

Arnice Cottom Ms. Walker Third Grade Garfield Spring 2004 “Friends Forever” riends forever Can’t you see FYou and me Friends forever Just let us be Friends forever We’re like tow Me and you Friends forever Always together Having fun Sharing time In the sun Friends forever You and me

Bryanna … Ms. Walker Third Grade Garfield Spring 2004 “Playing Tag” laying tag is a game of fun and laughter. Tag can be played in any weather: sunny, cloudy or … its does Pnot matter. If you have more than one person you can play tag. It is fun and challenging. One person is “it” and that person has to catch the other people. It is hard to catch the fast people. Some others are the tricky ones. There are lots of variations of tag.… This is also my favorite game.

60 Curtis Canty Ms. Allen Fourth Grade Aiton Winter 2004 Jamaie Brown “My Brother & Sister” Ms. Allen Fourth Grade y family is my mother, sister, and brother. Aiton I love them. I am the older brother. I Winter 2004 Mneed to se the example and be a role model for them. We are always dressed in full uni- form and always on time for school. Hair is done. “My Amazing Teacher” Our shirts are crisp and white. Our tennis shoes are clean. As we get dressed the music is playing. s. Kubbard was not only my teacher, but On the other side of the door is the Play my friend. She taught me things that I Station 2, the VCR, toys, and the TV. In the clean did not know. She is a nice and pretty closet are lots of clothes. The room has twin beds M teacher. Ms. Kubbard loves bubble gum. She chews and Barbie. and pops it all day long. She loves to change her hairstyles everyday.

Ms. Kubbard love to learn new things from her students. Her classroom is very nice. She eats ham sandwiches for lunch. She loves her students. She really likes when they make her laugh.

Literacy Through Photography, developed by photographer Wendy Ewald, is a nationally recognized methodology that helps children use photography as a tool to explore their world. Guided by their teachers, students photographed scenes from their daily lives. The photographs then served as inspiration for writings on the themes of “self”, “family”, or “community”.

The program was coordinated by Turning the Page and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and an anonymous supporter. For more information on the Literacy Through Photography program, contact Turning the Page at 202-628-7856.

61 “Little Brother with a Make Believe Camera” My little brother thought he was holding a real Camera.

was outside in my back yard with my brothers and sister. IThey were playing but I wasn’t. I asked them, “Can I take a picture of you?” Then they started running and I went after them. I caught them and pulled my camera out of the camera bag. My little brother saw me and made his hands like a camera. My other brothers saw him and said “Take a picture of him like that.” So, I took a picture just like that. After I took a picture of him Sha Kia Dozier he started laughing. Ms. Allen Fourth Grade The picture I took of him turned Aiton out a lot better than the one he Winter 2004 took of me! Ryan Kemper “Winter Wonderland” 3rd Grade Mrs. Walker took a great photo of the outdoors Garfield around my way. The way I see it is in Imy eyes. It shows that the outside does not always have to be loud and full of trou- ble. It can be peaceful, beautiful, and a great place to live. The shadows from the trees and the footprints in the snow. Throwing snowballs and making snow angels. My winter wonderland on the ground and in the sky.

D.C. CHILDREN’S TRUST FUND 1616 P Street, N.W. Suite 150 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-667-4940 Fax: 202-667-2477 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.dcctf.org & www.dckidscount.org