Community Profile 2008 Tulsa County Prepared for the Tulsa Area United Way Community Investments Process By the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa December, 2007

Infants and Young Children at Risk…

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

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

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study Pyramid Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: “About the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.” Infants & Young Children at Risk

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

…Lead to Health-Risk Behaviors… SmokingOvereating Physical inactivity Heavy alcohol use Drug use Promiscuity Source: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study website: Infants & Young Children at Risk

…Which Cause Disease, Disability and Social Problems in Adulthood Heart disease Cancer Chronic lung and liver disease StrokeDiabetes Sexually transmitted diseases Nicotine addiction Alcoholism Drug addiction ObesityDepressionSuicideInjuries Unintentional pregnancy Source: Felitti, Vincent J., “The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adult Health: Turning gold into lead;” CDC Media Relations, May 14, 1998, “Adult Health Problems Linked to Traumatic Childhood Experiences.” Infants & Young Children at Risk

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

Impact of Adult Literacy & Education Levels on Children As the educational level of adults improves, so does their children's success in school; helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children. Children of adults who participate in literacy programs improve their grades and test scores, improve their reading skills and are less likely to drop out. Children's literacy levels are strongly linked to educational level of their parents, especially their mothers. Parental income and marital status are both important predictors of success in school, but neither is as significant as having a mother (or primary caregiver) who completed high school. Children of parents who are unemployed and have not completed high school are five times more likely to drop out than children of employed parents. Infants & Young Children at Risk Source: Oklahoma Literacy Resource Office

Infants & Young Children at Risk

Child Abuse & Neglect In Tulsa County in FY 2007, there were 4,161 referrals for child abuse and/or neglect accepted for investigation or assessment (a referral may include more than one child). 1,518 children were confirmed victims of child abuse and/or neglect. 149 were abused, 1,124 were neglected, 245 were victims of both abuse and neglect of every 1,000 children in Tulsa County were confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect in FY In Oklahoma, the rate was 15.5 of every 1,000 children. Oklahoma ranks #35 in the nation in the rate of children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect. Parents make up 74.3% of all perpetrators, followed by step-parents at 7%, “no relation” at 6.8%, and grandparents at 3.8%. Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to child neglect. Infants & Young Children at Risk