By Aliza Gevirtz, director of engagement,
United Way of Greater Atlanta – Northeast Region
OCT. 24, 2023 | United Way of Greater Atlanta’s latest child well-being data highlights areas of high need throughout their 13-county footprint.
Gevirtz
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2023 Child Well-Being Outlook: Insights for Impact Report analyzes five years of data on child well-being across the 13-county metro Atlanta area. This Index offers a comprehensive assessment of children’s environment from birth to adulthood across Greater Atlanta’s 1,265 neighborhoods, as measured by census tracts, including those in Gwinnett County.
The Ticking Clock: The data shows that both temporary pandemic-era funding and resources provided by public and private organizations helped stabilize overall child well-being post-pandemic. This includes relief in the form of rental assistance, eviction moratoriums, food assistance, and stimulus payments.
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s President and CEO Milton J. Little, Jr.says: “While the region’s average was maintained, our data shows a significant number of neighborhoods in crisis, where COVID-era resources and support systems are increasingly disappearing, jeopardizing children’s ability to thrive. Many of these places are disproportionately communities of color and areas where access to training, technology, food, and healthcare are severely lagging. Every child deserves to have a quality education, live in a safe neighborhood, and have the opportunity to fulfill their promise.”
A focus on Gwinnett: The data also tells us that 79 neighborhoods in Greater Atlanta have both low and declining child well-being. Over 77,000 children call these neighborhoods home. Gwinnett accounts for one-quarter of the 79 high-need neighborhoods and one-third of the 77,000 children in need. Within these neighborhoods, 39 percent of families live below 200 percent of the poverty line.
Because the circumstances and environment for these children have worsened over the last five years, it is critical we collaborate with partners to address the needs of families living in the identified high-priority neighborhoods and ensure that they have the resources to enable our region to thrive. At the national level, Georgia already falls behind nearly 75% of states, ranking 37th in child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Other Key Findings:
- Academic recovery: Research shows that Third Grade reading proficiency and Eighth Grade math proficiency are reliable indicators of future success in academics. Each of the 13 counties that make up Greater Atlanta saw a decrease in Third Grade reading proficiency from 2019 to 2022, and 11 of the 13 saw a decrease in Eighth Grade math proficiency in the same time frame. In Gwinnett neighborhoods that have been identified as having both low and declining child well-being, 68 percent of Third Graders are not proficient in reading and 41 percent of Eighth Graders are not proficient in math.
- Opportunity youth: In Greater Atlanta, nearly 14,000 youth ages 16 to 19 are currently outside of work and educational pathways. In Gwinnett neighborhoods with both low and declining child well-being, 86 percent of youth in this age range are considered opportunity youth.
United Way of Greater Atlanta is sharing these findings and others on our website. Individuals and corporations interested in making a difference are encouraged to donate to the Child Well-Being Mission Fund and to engage in volunteer opportunities alongside grantee partners.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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