Connecticut Post: October 28, 2007: Bridgeport faces rising child poverty
Even though the trend has been evident in recent years, it still jars each time it’s cited: Childhood poverty remains on the increase in Bridgeport, the state’s largest city located in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States.
In fact, according to the latest “The State of the Child in Bridgeport” study by the Bridgeport Childhood Advocacy Coalition, Bridgeport’s rate of child poverty is more than twice the statewide rate and 50 percent higher than the national rate.
A BCAC spokesperson labeled it “the most disturbing trend” and rightfully so.
With increased poverty can also come poorer health, less initiative in school, poorer living conditions and more domestic violence, all factors that can exert dramatic impacts on young people.
BCAC’s annual report says that the number of children living in poverty in Bridgeport grew by nearly 800 children in one year alone. Over 10,600 Bridgeport children nearly three in 10 live in poverty. Add that to the fact that more than 95 percent of Bridgeport’s 21,000 public school children come from families that are economically disadvantaged or earn less than $31,770 annually and one can see the immense challenge the city faces in meeting social service needs.
Yet, Bridgeport continues to get shortchanged on education funding at the state Capitol and President Bush continues to balk at expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that has been so successful in providing basic health care to children living in poverty.
BCAC’s annual study of key indicators pointing to child well being in the city compared to children statewide isn’t all doom and gloom for Bridgeport.
The report card gives A grades for achieving reductions in the infant mortality rate, the school dropout rate, child homelessness, child abuse and neglect while improving air quality.
However, as in past BCAC reports, it’s evident that children in Bridgeport fare worse than their counterparts statewide. It’s that data that must be utilized to convince the governor, state lawmakers and Congress that despite Connecticut’s immense wealth, there still exist deep pockets of poverty that adversely effect children.
Although there have been consistent and concerned efforts by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and state lawmakers in recent years to hone in on and expand early childhood issues, Connecticut still can do better in meeting the needs of its poor children.