Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Goal Statement: The goal of this social change portfolio is to prevent adverse outcomes for children and adolescents living in poverty in Trumbull County, Ohio. Significant Findings: Trumbull County, Ohio, has an alarming percentage of youth under 18 years old living in poverty. According to the US Census Bureau (n.d.), the current rate is 28.9% and has risen since 2015 (Data USA, n.d.). Black youth are disproportionally affected by poverty, with rates in Trumbull County of 67% (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, n.d.; Hodgkinson et al., 2017). Youth living in poverty are at risk for developmental delays, adverse experiences, chronic health issues, mental health disorders, and academic and career difficulties (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020; Healthy People 2030, n.d.; Slopen et al., 2016). Through a social-ecological lens, several protective and risk factors exist to prevent these adverse outcomes. Additionally, change theory promotes the creation of prevention programs (Raihan & Cogburn, 2023). Barriers at the institutional, community, and public policy levels suggest action to prevent the adverse outcomes of poverty on youth. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Suggestions for professionals in the field include advocating for school-based poverty-based trauma prevention programs for fair and easy access to all communities. Incorporating school or community-based training for nonpoor individuals to experience the effects of poverty may increase empathy and reduce stigma. Enhancing and contributing to programs such as the “Every Student, Every Day: A Community Toolkit to Address and Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism” toolkit makes prevention programs more accessible, even in low-income areas. Embracing evidence-based programs such as Child FIRST (n.d.) could build support among family, peers, community, and the individual child. Political action is critical to confronting the challenges of minimum wage and the federal poverty line.
