BCAC 2017 State of the Child Report Released!

BCAC 2017 State of the Child Report Released

Report Provides Data on Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Safety of Bridgeport Children

Bridgeport, Conn., February 19, 2018 – The Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC): The Center for Research & Advocacy at LifeBridge Community Services released its 32nd annual State of the Child in Bridgeport report last Friday. Using the most current data available, the report compares the well-being of children in Bridgeport to children statewide focusing in on the areas of poverty, economic insecurity, child care and early childhood education, juvenile justice, health, and safety.

Adding to its already comprehensive assessment of issues affecting Bridgeport’s children and families today, this year’s State of the Child in Bridgeport incorporates data on voting in Bridgeport, Larger Impact sections that explain the far-reaching impact of poverty, poor health, and other plights and a four-page spread on juvenile justice.

BCAC is pleased to highlight some areas where conditions are improving, including:

• Child poverty is at its lowest rate at 29.6% since 2009 (25.8%)
• Out of school suspensions decreased 6% and in-school suspensions 6.9% from school years 2015-16 to 2016-17
• Violent offenses have decreased 20.7% from 2006 to 2016

BCAC: The Center for Research & Advocacy at LifeBridge continues to keep the hardships, and successes, of life in Bridgeport for children and families front-and-center with State of the Child community forums, presentations around the Greater Bridgeport area, and social media outreach. BCAC will continue to advocate, educate, and listen to the community’s many voices, hoping to motivate community members to continue working with purpose and the research to back up their points of view, says Mary Pat Healy, BCAC’s Senior Director.

LifeBridge President & CEO, Bill Hass says, "LifeBridge is extremely proud to have BCAC as part of our organization doing such important work focusing on the needs of children and families in our Bridgeport community.”

The 2017 State of the Child in Bridgeport report is available for download on BCAC’s webpage, www.lifebridgect.org/program/state-of-the-child-in-bridgeport-report/.

For more information on Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition or The 2017 State of the Child in Bridgeport report, please contact Mary Pat Healy, Senior Director, at 203.368.5644 or email at mphealy@lifebridgect.org

About Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition: The Center for Research & Advocacy at LifeBridge Community Services: Founded in 1985, BCAC consists of over 50 organizations, parents and other concerned individuals committed to improving the well-being of Bridgeport’s children through research, advocacy, education, and mobilization. Over the years, BCAC has played a leading role in hundreds of initiatives, including: expanding social and emotional learning within the Bridgeport Public School District; assisting thousands of families to secure HUSKY state healthcare; and producing dozens of reports on the State of the Child, health equity, school suspensions, and various other topics. BCAC merged with LifeBridge Community Services to provide both LifeBridge and BCAC with a larger platform and greater reach while helping to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of each other’s services. Both organizations share a commitment to providing greater Bridgeport’s most vulnerable children and families with the high-quality social services, research and advocacy and resources they need to reach their full potential. LifeBridge’s mission is to inspire and empower our clients by linking flexible, innovative programs to restore personal capability, develop skills, and build pathways to economic self-sufficiency.

To learn more about BCAC or to view their reports, visit www.lifebridgect.org/programs/bridgeport-child-advocacy-coalition/.

For more information about LifeBridge visit: www.LifeBridgeCT.org

For Media Inquiries, contact Eileen Brennan, Manager of Communications and Marketing ebrennan@lifebridgect.org or 203-368-5581