City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2017 07 11

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Children, Youth 84, Families Our community works hard to ensure that all individuals have access to certain basics - including educational support, quality early childhood education and care, and guidance to keep children or teens on a path toward successful adult lives. A number of Worthy Cause -supported nonprofits are devoted to improving access to resources for children, youth, and families so that social and economic inequities don't stand in the way of a bright future for all Boulder County children. 5 Boulder County I Worthy Cause 111 Early Childhood Education: Early childhood education plays a key role in maximizing kindergarten readiness and social -emotional development, but not all Boulder County families have equal access to these services. Studies show that 90% of brain development takes place in a child's first five years, and that children who are behind their peers at the beginning of their formal education have a difficult time catching up. This delay in education can have a long term impact on educational outcomes, as at -risk children without a high-quality early childhood education are 25% more likely to drop out of school and 60% less likely to attend college. K-12 Education & Beyond: Strong family support and a positive peer learning environment are critical for educational success. Family economics also play a role in academic success, as students from low-income families are 2.5 times more likely to drop out of school than peers from middle-income families, and 10 times more likely to drop out than students from high-income families. Some Worthy Cause - supported nonprofits help students from families of limited means thrive in school, graduate from high school, and plan for higher education. Youth Programs & Activities: As children become teens and gain more independence they are experience new adventures, and are exposed to higher -stakes decision making. For example, according to the 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 62.7% of Boulder Valley High School respondents said they had "easy access" to alcohol, 38.2% had tried marijuana, and 30.1% are sexually active. Ensuring that teens have the support and resources they need to make healthy choices and thrive during this exciting time of life is important. Some community partners offer after- school activities, guidance for youth and their parents, peer support, or counseling to address the challenges facing today's teens. Daycare: Meaningful and sustainable employment provides a pathway to economic well-being, and yet for families with children, securing childcare can be a significant barrier. The ever-increasing cost of childcare threatens to leave low-income parents without access to childcare, potentially affecting jobs or education. In 2015, the average yearly cost of childcare in a licensed facility was $13,210 for preschool - aged children and $15,193 for infants. Affordable, quality daycare can help working parents make ends meet, and provide early childhood development, and nutrition, health, and education supports for parents and children alike. 10