February 02, 2006 - Tough times for kids in SB County

Tough times for kids in SB County

Face more woes than state average

February 02, 2006

Emily Sachs, Staff Writer
San Bernardino County Sun

As hard as it is to be a child these days, it is even more difficult to be one in San Bernardino County.

The county's 572,365 young people face more poverty, abuse, juvenile arrests and child mortality than the average child in California and, in some cases, the rest of the country, according to new figures released Wednesday by the Children's Network of San Bernardino County.

Among the more alarming statistics:

Almost a quarter of the children live in poverty.

Almost 40,000 children were referred to the county for suspected abuse or neglect.

More than 6,500 youth were detained at Juvenile Hall.

Child mortality claims 64.2 children per 100,000, which surpasses California's rate of 52.5, but falls short of the U.S. rate of 66.5.

Unnatural deaths claimed the lives of 102 county children and 18 nonresidents in 2004, the most recent figures available. Among the deaths, five were drownings, eight were suicides, and 13 were homicides seven in gang-related shootings.

The figures have extra resonance at a time when violence has claimed the lives of several local young people, including three of the six January homicides in San Bernardino.

Not all the figures are so discouraging. While there were more calls to the child-abuse hotline, fewer of the cases reported were substantiated. Kent Paxton, network officer for the Children's Network, was encouraged that the hotline is being used more often.

"That means more kids who might slip through the cracks get referred," said Kent, adding that it is a credit to the people who are calling out of concern, even if reports are found to be false or calls are misdirected, such as a case of head lice.

The county agency monitors the welfare of children and is tasked with finding ways to help improve their outcomes, as well as finding the money to pay for programs. It is increasingly partnering with First 5 San Bernardino, which distributed $16 million last year in tobacco tax money to help children under 5.

On Wednesday, the agencies co-presented the figures compiled from the county Department of Public Health, the state, the census and other sources.

First 5 Executive Director Richard Jarvis announced that his agency this spring will start distributing $3 million to community groups proposing to address gaps in health-care access, prenatal care and special needs.

Every bit helps, Paxton said.

In 1995, of every 1,000 births, 60 to 70 were to teen mothers. In some areas, it was as high as 140 per 1,000. A concerted effort reduced the figures to 23 per 1,000, Paxton said.

`'If we can do it with teen pregnancies, as complicated as it is, we can do it in other areas," he said.

Already, a new program among the Children's Network, First 5, school districts and other agencies has started screening children for mental and developmental problems to steer them toward help before they enter school and fall behind.

State Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, told about the figures, puts the onus on cities to take the lead and provide a chance for children to break the cycle.

"We know this is going on," she said via telephone from Sacramento, "and we can't seem to stop it."

As a Pomona councilwoman, she once took $50,000 in federal block grants and turned it into a paying job program for teens.

Second District County Supervisor Paul Biane, chairman of the First 5 Commission, said continued efforts to join agencies and funds will change the outlook for children in the county eventually.

"I'm hoping every year we see things get a little better," Biane said, "but it's going to be slow."

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Tough times for kids in SB County

Face more woes than state average
February 02, 2006 Emily Sachs, Staff Writer San Bernardino County Sun As hard as it is to be a child these days, it is even more difficult to be one in San Bernardino County. The county's 572,365 young people face more poverty, abuse, juvenile arrests and child mortality than the average child in California and, in some cases, the rest of the country, according to new figures released Wednesday by the Children's Network of San Bernardino County. Among the more alarming statistics: Almost a quarter of the children live in poverty. Almost 40,000 children were referred to the county for suspected abuse or neglect. More than 6,500 youth were detained at Juvenile Hall. Child mortality claims 64.2 children per 100,000, which surpasses California's rate of 52.5, but falls short of the U.S. rate of 66.5. Unnatural deaths claimed the lives of 102 county children and 18 nonresidents in 2004, the most recent figures available. Among the deaths, five were drownings, eight were suicides, and 13 were homicides seven in gang-related shootings. The figures have extra resonance at a time when violence has claimed the lives of several local young people, including three of the six January homicides in San Bernardino. Not all the figures are so discouraging. While there were more calls to the child-abuse hotline, fewer of the cases reported were substantiated. Kent Paxton, network officer for the Children's Network, was encouraged that the hotline is being used more often. "That means more kids who might slip through the cracks get referred," said Kent, adding that it is a credit to the people who are calling out of concern, even if reports are found to be false or calls are misdirected, such as a case of head lice. The county agency monitors the welfare of children and is tasked with finding ways to help improve their outcomes, as well as finding the money to pay for programs. It is increasingly partnering with First 5 San Bernardino, which distributed $16 million last year in tobacco tax money to help children under 5. On Wednesday, the agencies co-presented the figures compiled from the county Department of Public Health, the state, the census and other sources. First 5 Executive Director Richard Jarvis announced that his agency this spring will start distributing $3 million to community groups proposing to address gaps in health-care access, prenatal care and special needs. Every bit helps, Paxton said. In 1995, of every 1,000 births, 60 to 70 were to teen mothers. In some areas, it was as high as 140 per 1,000. A concerted effort reduced the figures to 23 per 1,000, Paxton said. `'If we can do it with teen pregnancies, as complicated as it is, we can do it in other areas," he said. Already, a new program among the Children's Network, First 5, school districts and other agencies has started screening children for mental and developmental problems to steer them toward help before they enter school and fall behind. State Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, told about the figures, puts the onus on cities to take the lead and provide a chance for children to break the cycle. "We know this is going on," she said via telephone from Sacramento, "and we can't seem to stop it." As a Pomona councilwoman, she once took $50,000 in federal block grants and turned it into a paying job program for teens. Second District County Supervisor Paul Biane, chairman of the First 5 Commission, said continued efforts to join agencies and funds will change the outlook for children in the county eventually. "I'm hoping every year we see things get a little better," Biane said, "but it's going to be slow."
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