THE CHALLENGE
Throughout the U.S. programs that provide services to the most vulnerable children and youth are struggling to survive. These programs provide critical early childhood education services and developmental support services for school age youth and serve as a safety net.
The educational attainment for disadvantaged children and youth has been a significant concern, which has only been exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Research on online learning and teaching is showing that children and youth from lower income and disadvantaged families are falling behind due to reduced learning time, absenteeism, and lack of consistent access to computers and the internet.
According to the National Child and Youth Well-being Index (CWI) there is an increase in the number of children throughout the U.S. who live in poverty as well as the number of homes with a single parent. In addition, there is an increasing trend of suicide rates for children and youth.
