Context and Sources

printer-friendly page 

 

Children and Youth

 

In 2008, 4,208 preschoolers were not enrolled in quality early education centers.
Context: Guiding Star sites are early education centers rated by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval

Source: Early Learning Coalition of Duval.

At least 40 percent of child care programs in Duval County need additional support in order to provide high quality early learning opportunities.

Context: High quality early education should include a developmentally appropriate curriculum, knowledgeable and well-trained program staff and educators, comprehensive services that support children's health, nutrition, and social well-being, in an environment that respects and supports diversity. Until recently, this expectation for teaching was not made by parents and child care centers are transitioning with the support of state and local incentives.

Source: "A Vision for Excellence," National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Annual job turnover in Duval County's child care workforce is between 30 and 40 percent.

Context: Child care workers earn low wages and frequently lack health insurance.

Source: Based on a limited survey of child care workers supported by Early Learning Coalition of Duval.

 

In 2006, of the approximately 9,000 kindergarteners screened for readiness, 36 percent, or 3,240 were not ready, according to initial sound recognition results on DIBELS.

Context: The Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) includes two tools for defining a child's readiness for kindergarten. ECHOES and DIBELS are the two tools. One of the DIBELS screens involves an adult showing a child an image. The child is then asked for the word that is associated with that image and whether they know the sound that begins that word.

Source: Florida Department of Education, State Report of District Results.

 

81% of low-income students in elementary and middle schools are not participating in after school programs with academic enrichment.

Context: After school programs vary; some provide tutoring and reinforce lessons learned in the classrooms while others do not. The after school programs that provide academic enrichment have shown that students are promoted to the next grade more frequently than their peers who do not attend after school programs.

Source: Jacksonville Children's Commission, After School Gaps Analysis.

 

Currently, there are 1,232 mentor matches in Jacksonville.

Context: The number of parents who would like a mentor for their child is much higher than the number of available volunteer mentors. 

Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and Take Stock in Children


An estimated 3,800 youth ages 12-17 are homeless.
Context: The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that 5% to 7.7% of youth 12-17 years old experience homelessness each year. In 2008, Duval County had an estimated 75,105 youth ages 12-17 years old. Five percent of that number equals 3,755. 

Source: Fact Checker, National Alliance to End Homelessness and Florida CHARTS.

The National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of 1 school psychologist for every 1,000 students.
Source: Duval County Public Schools

The ratio in Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) is 1:2,550.
Source: Duval County Public Schools


The American School Counseling Association recommends 1 guidance counselor to every 250 students.

Source: Duval County Public Schools

 

In DCPS high schools the ratio is 1:451.

Source: Duval County Public Schools

 

There were 3,468 student code of conduct violations in 2006-07 in DCPS.
Context: These include Level Three, and Four violations of the Student Code of Conduct.  A student has been violent or caught in the possession of drugs or alcohol if the violation reaches Level Three or Four. This is an unduplicated number.

Source: Duval County Public Schools 


In February 2008, an estimated 111 families were waiting for therapeutic help from Full Service Schools of Jacksonville.
Context: Full Service Schools is the largest provider of free assistance for students experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. Students are referred by teachers, coaches, parents, and school staff. Families on the waiting list will wait approximately 5-6 months for an appointment with a therapist.

Source: Full Service Schools in Jacksonville

 

13,789 children living in families eligible for Florida's health insurance plan remain uninsured.
Context: The 2004 Florida Health Insurance Study found that 9 percent of Florida's children remain uninsured. Applying that percentage to Duval County means approximately 19,699 children in Jacksonville are uninsured. Florida KidCare provides health insurance for children from low-income families. However, KidCare does not enroll all children eligible. Across Florida, 70 percent of uninsured children are, in fact, eligible for KidCare. Applying that percentage to the number of uninsured children means 13,789 children are eligible for KidCare and remain uninsured because they have not enrolled in the program.

Source: Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition 

 

In 2005-06, one-quarter of all DCPS middle school students were served an in-school suspension.
Context: Middle school students experience the highest number of suspensions. This is an unduplicated number. Source: Florida Department of Education, Florida School Indicators Report

 

In the same year, one-third of all DCPS middle school students were served an out-of-school suspension.
Source: Florida Department of Education, Florida School Indicators Report

 

Emergency Needs

 

In 2006, there were 2,743 persons were homeless on any given day.
Source: Quality of Life Progress Report

During the 2007-08 school year, 1,098 Duval County Public School students were homeless.

Context: Funders determine methods for calculating the number of homeless in a community. U.S. Housing and Urban Development defines a homeless person differently than the McKinney-Vento Act, which also funds services for the homeless. McKinney-Vento's definition is more inclusive and counts persons who might be living in a hotel, or car, and persons sleeping on a relative's couch. These conditions of homelessness are taking into consideration by Duval County Public Schools.

Source: Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition

 

16,326 calls were made to United Way's 211 for emergency assistance in 2006-07.

Context: Call volume during the first eight months of the current fiscal year increased by 23 percent as compared to the same time period last year. Bob Arnold, director of United Way's 211 observed on April 4, "A lot of them are new callers. People not only say they need help with the mortgage or rent and electricity. They need some food, too." 

Source: "Nonprofits Do More With Less," The Business Journal, p. 1. April 4, 2008. www.jacksonville.bizjournals.com


The most frequent call is for help with water and electricity bills.

Source: United Way 211

In March 2008, 34 percent of 211 callers did not receive assistance from the agency they were referred to.

Context: United Way 211 is a clearinghouse for services. It refers persons who need assistance to agencies that can or might help. Every month, United Way 211 calls back a portion of those who request assistance. Monthly reports show that more than a third of callers tried to get assistance by calling the agency they were referred to and they gave up the search.

Source: United Way 211

Of those who did not receive assistance, 87 percent said requests for assistance overwhelmed agency telephone lines and they got a busy signal.

Context: Of the callers who responded in 211's monthly call-backs, a third of them gave up their search for help. Of those who gave up, nearly 9 out of 10 said they only got a busy signal when they called for help with their utility bill or mortgage. 

Source: United Way 211

 

In 2007, JEA cut off electricity to 122,000 residences and small businesses due to nonpayment.

Source: JEA

 

Violence

An estimated 141,000 people were victims of domestic violence in 2006.
Jacksonville served 10,000 survivors of domestic violence in 2006.

Source: Domestic Violence in Duval County: Executive Summary, September 18, 2007. Jacksonville University Social Science Research Center.

Jacksonville University conducted face-to-face interviews with domestic violence victims in 2007 and found that 30% had children present at the time of the most recent incident of abuse.

Source: Domestic Violence in Duval County: Executive Summary, September 18, 2007. Jacksonville University Social Science Research Center.

During those incidents of domestic violence that were reported to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 2007, 948 juveniles were present.

Source: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Family Violence/Child Abuse Unit

In 2006-07, Hubbard House, the largest domestic violence shelter in Jacksonville, served 356 children.
Source: Hubbard House
In a 2007 survey conducted by Jacksonville University, 10% of respondents stated that at least  one adult  relative in their family had been a victim of domestic violence within the past year.

Source: Domestic Violence in Duval County: Executive Summary, September 18, 2007. Jacksonville University Social Science Research Center.

In the same survey, 74% of respondents who knew of a victim of domestic violence said that counseling was needed.
In the same survey, 48% of respondents said that victims of domestic violence had actually received counseling services.

Adults and Seniors

 

100,000 residents do not have health insurance.

Source: "Duval Part of Crist's Pilot Program for Those Without Health Insurance." Florida Times-Union, March 14, 2008.


On March 26, 2008, 422 seniors were on a waiting list for Meals on Wheels.
Context: Older adults can maintain independence and avoid entering a nursing home when they have assistance with specific daily activities. Meals on Wheels bring meals to older adults' homes.

Source: Urban Jacksonville Inc.

Parenting

 

In Duval County, 3,101 persons aged 60 and over were responsible for their grandchildren in 2006.
Context: Children whose parents are incarcerated or are deemed unfit are often raised by grandparents. This is called "relative placement" and prevents a child from entering the foster care system.

Source: Florida County Profiles 2007, Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Financial Stability

 

70,530 persons received Food Stamps in 2007.

Source: Quality of Life Progress Report


4,791 persons received Temporary Aid to Needy Families assistance, also known as welfare.

Source: Quality of Life Progress Report

In the current fiscal year, Family Foundations, a local agency nonprofit credit counseling agency, has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of inquiries about financial counseling as compared to the previous fiscal year.

Context: The recent increase in the cost of gas and food means debt-strapped families are more vulnerable to bankruptcy and foreclosure. The President and CEO of Family Foundations observed on April 4, "We are really seeing a proportionately higher increase in families who make higher incomes having more severe problems." 

Source: "Nonprofits Do More With Less," The Business Journal, p. 1. April 4, 2008. www.jacksonville.bizjournals.com

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Half of homeless persons have recently experienced mental health problems.

Context:  Changes in public policy and legislation during the past thirty years have led to an increase in homelessness among the mentally ill.

Source: Adult mental Health Strategic Plan, Adult Mental Health Task Force.

 

62,000 people in Jacksonville suffer from severe mental illness.

Context:  Persons with severe mental illness lead full lives with appropriate treatment and support.

Source: Adult mental Health Strategic Plan, Adult Mental Health Task Force.


The mental health system in Jacksonville served less than 20 percent of the population of severely mentally ill, or 12,400.

Context: In Florida, the official mental health authority is the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Jacksonville's mental health system is funded in large part by DCF, Circuit 4 and to a lesser extent by the City of Jacksonville's Behavioral and Human Services Division. Out of the 50 states in the Union, Florida ranks 46th in per person spending of public funds for mental health services. Within Florida, the North Florida Circuit receives the least funds per person for mental health services.  Persons who can prove they are disabled by mental illness might receive a disability payment from the federal government-- a process that takes at least two years to complete. A person with mental illness and health insurance might have a portion of his or her treatment costs covered. "Trapped between the managed care and public sectors however, is a group of uninsured individuals and families who do not qualify for the public sector programs, cannot afford to pay for services themselves, and have no access to private health insurance." 
Source: Adult mental Health Strategic Plan, Adult Mental Health Task Force.

 

 


An indigent person with a mental illness diagnosis will wait 3-6 months for an appointment with a psychiatrist at Shands Hospital.

Context: The City of Jacksonville has a contract (Indigent Care Agreement) with Shands Hospital to provide indigent health care.  Indigent persons with mental illness who move to Jacksonville or are diagnosed with a mental illness while living here are unable to access medications, crisis support, counseling, and case management services at the City's two publicly-funded mental health centers.

Source: Behavioral and Human Services Division, City of Jacksonville.


The largest provider of mental health services for low-income children in Jacksonville cut its services by 34% since 2006 due to Medicaid reform.

Context: Child Guidance Center, Inc. bills the state of Florida when children who have Medicaid insurance receive mental health treatment and behavioral support. In July 2006,  Duval and Broward Counties piloted a reform of Florida's Medicaid program. The reform has meant a decrease in the amount of state funds available for children's mental health services in Duval County.

Source: Child Guidance Center, Inc.


Each February, state funding for uninsured children is depleted, and no new children are served until July when the new fiscal year begins.

Context: One of the consequences of the Medicaid reform pilot is that health maintenance organizations (HMOs)  providing  Medicaid benefits are no longer required to spend 80 percent of their behavioral health care funds on direct care.

Source: Child Guidance Center, Inc.


The only publicly-funded detoxification program in Jacksonville turns away 400 requests for treatment each year.

Context: Gateway Community Center, Inc. has found that during the past two years more patients are presenting for detoxification from pain killers and other prescription drugs. The medical protocols for detox from these drugs is longer as compared to alcohol, and the 20 treatment beds for medical detox are not enough to meet treatment needs. 

 

Source: Gateway Community Center, Inc.

 


If a low-income alcoholic or addict who is not HIV positive or pregnant calls for inpatient treatment in Jacksonville, he or she will wait 6 weeks to 2 months.

Context: The State of Florida, (the primary funding source for Gateway Community Services Inc.) mandates that HIV positive persons and pregnant mothers enter treatment before other persons. Patients within these two priority populations often have co-occurring mental health disorders and problems with housing and employment. As a result, their treatment plans frequently include extended stays. This means other addicts and alcoholics who call for treatment services either wait a long time or give up their pursuit of treatment.

Source: Gateway Community Center, Inc.

 

Living with Disabilities

In Northeast Florida, 1,075 persons living with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism or Prader-Willi syndrome are eligible for assistance from the State of Florida and remain on a waiting list because sufficient funds are not available.

Context: Florida law stipulates that the Agency for Persons with Disabilities will connect families whose members live with specific disabilities (only those named above) to services such as day care, employment training, and group living. More families are eligible for services than State budgets provide for. As a result, many families with members who have developmental disabilities lack adequate support.

Source: Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Area 4

In 2007, there were approximately 13,000 4 year-olds in Duval County, and of those, approximately 1,300 have a learning disability.

Context: 10 percent of the child population has a learning disability.

Source: Florida CHARTS and "Lifetime Prevalence of Learning Disability Among US Children." Pediatrics Vol. 119, Supplement 1, Feb. 2007.

In 2007, Nemours BrightStart! screened approximately 3,800 4 year-olds for language difficulties.

Context: Nemours BrightStart! Dyslexia Initiative screens low-performing 4 year-olds for language disorders. One of the most common learning disabilities is a language disorder: dyslexia. Of the children screened, approximately one-quarter receive free instruction consisting of twice weekly sessions lasting 8 to 10 weeks. 

Source: Success By 6, A Report by United Way of Northeast Florida.