State of the War on Poverty in Erie County

2006

70 Harvard Place ● Buffalo, New York ● 14209 716-881-5150 ● Fax 716-881-2927 ● www.caoec.org

Table of Contents: Page

Subject

3.

Overview

4.

Distribution of Poverty

6.

Lead Exposure in Children

9.

Providing Shelter

12.

Alcohol & Drug Treatment

14.

At-Risk Youth

17.

Birth Weights

20.

Teen Pregnancy

24.

American Community Survey Profile 2003

32.

Comparative Data Analysis

34.

Erie County General Demographic Characteristics: 2005

46.

CAO Contribution to the Effort

47.

Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Program

54.

Early Childhood Services Head Start/Early Head Start

57.

Housing

59.

Neighborhood Services Department

63.

Youth & Family Services

69.

Additional Services

70.

Organizational Chart

1

Overview Distribution of Poverty — Dec 2002, excerpted from the “State of the Region – Regional Performance in the Buffalo – Niagara Region”, SUNYAB The overall percentage of Western New Yorkers living in poverty has dropped only slightly over the past decade, falling from 12.2% in 1989 to 11.9% in 1999. Poverty rates continue to vary by age, geographic location, and race and ethnicity, with levels highest for minority groups and children. Seniors, blacks, and American Indians saw the largest drops in poverty rates over the decade.

Persons in Poverty and Poverty Rate, 2000

Progress Toward Goals While the region has not met its State of the Region 2003 goal of developing a regional strategy, with centralized data and an action network that addresses area poverty and services, new collaborations and data from Census 2000 increase the potential to achieve this goal.

About the Indicator The 2000 U.S. Census provides detailed poverty data for Western New York. Canadian data come from tabulations in the 1996 Canadian Census (latest available). U.S. poverty thresholds vary by family size; as of 2000, the poverty income cutoff for a family of four was $17,050. Canadian poverty thresholds, known as "low-income cutoffs," vary by family size and population of community of residence; as of 2000 the cutoff for a family of four living in a community of 30,000-99,999 population was 29,448 Canadian dollars. U.S. and Canadian figures cannot be directly compared.

Regional Performance More than 184,019 Western New Yorkers—11.9% of the total population—lived in poverty in 1999, a slight numerical and percentage decrease from 1989 when there were more than 189,999 2

residents (12.2%) living below the poverty line. These rates compare to 11.8% for the nation and 14.2% for New York State in 1999. As of 1995, there were 175,900 poor people in Southern Ontario, representing 17.9% of the population, close to Ontario's overall rate of 18%. Poverty rates in the region are highest in the Southern Tier counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, as well as in the City of Hamilton, Ontario (see map, Persons in Poverty and Poverty Rate, 2000). Genesee and Orleans counties have the lowest rates of poverty.

Western New York Poverty Rate, by Race/Ethnicity, 1999 Poverty rates vary widely by racial and ethnic groups. Numerically, the majority of the region's poor are white (61%). Proportionally, poverty hits hardest in Western New York's minority communities with 36% of Hispanics, 34% of blacks, 28% of American Indians, and 23% of Asians living in poverty, compared to less than 9% of whites (see chart, WNY Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity, 1999).

Closer Look Poverty rates in the region vary across age cohorts, with poverty disproportionately higher among children under 18 than among adults over 65—a trend especially evident in minority communities. A notable 46% of Hispanic children, 45% of black children, and 37% of American Indian children live in poverty, compared to 18% of Asian children and 11% of non-Hispanic white children (see chart, WNY Children and Seniors in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity, 1999). Poverty rates for seniors show largely similar differences by race and ethnicity, but are lower than those for children. Between 17% and 27% of minority seniors live in poverty, compared to 7% of non-Hispanic whites.

Western New York Children and Seniors in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity, 1999 Although these differences are significant, they are for the most part less pronounced than they were in 1990. Poverty rates in the black community fell dramatically during 3

the decade from 1989 to 1999, declining eight percentage points for seniors (from 27% to 19%) and seven percentage points for children (52% to 45%) (see chart, Percentage Point Change in Poverty, 1990-2000, by Age and Race and Ethnicity). Similar declines occurred in the American Indian community (senior poverty down nine percentage points, from 26% to 17%, and child poverty declining from 41% to 37%). The trend, however, was opposite for Asian seniors and children, as poverty rates increased six and eight percentage points, respectively, since 1989. Likewise, the Hispanic senior population saw a seven percentage point increase in poverty rates, from 20% to 27% over the decade.

Percentage Point Change in Poverty, 1990-2000, by Age and Race/Ethnicity

Data Sources and Notes Data on poverty rates for Western New York, by place, race, and age are from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000, Summary Tape File 3, tables P159 (A-I), available online at the Census Web site through American FactFinder. Poverty thresholds, adjusted periodically for inflation, are set by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, which calculates levels by family size and composition. 4

Poverty data for Southern Ontario are from Statistics Canada, sections B.1 and B.3. Canada's low income cut-offs (LICOs) are based on estimates of required expenditures on basic necessities (benchmarked to the Consumer Price Index) as a percentage of overall household income for different family sizes and degrees of urbanization. From a report entitled: the State of the Region – Regional Performance in the Buffalo – Niagara Region, produced by the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth of the State University of New York at Buffalo

Lead Exposure in Children — Dec 2002 Why it Matters Lead is a highly toxic metal widely distributed in the natural environment, and was, until the late 1970s, blended with gasoline, paints, and other products. When children under six years of age are exposed to lead, they may suffer long-term health consequences, including nervous system and kidney damage, learning disabilities, and decreased intelligence.

About the Indicator New York State's Lead Poisoning Prevention Act requires the screening of children under age six for elevated lead levels. State public health regulations require health care providers to screen all one- and two-year olds for blood lead levels, and to screen older children at risk of high-dose exposure. Children with confirmed blood lead concentrations equal to or greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) of whole blood have an "elevated blood lead level." Children under six years of age with confirmed blood lead level concentrations equal to or greater than 20 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) of whole blood meet the current definition of "lead poisoning." Data are from the New York State Department of Health.

Western New York Children Screened by Age 24 Months, 1994-97

Regional Performance Compared to its rural counties, Western New York's urban counties screen a higher proportion of children under age 2 for lead exposure. For the reporting period between 1994 through 1997, Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties generally met or exceeded New York's statewide (excluding New York City) screening rate of 61%, yet 5

Allegany, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Wyoming counties failed to achieve this average (see chart, WNY Children Screened by Age 24 Months, 1994-97). Cattaraugus County exceeded the statewide rate in 1994, but failed to meet it in each of the next three years. Although percentages of screened children with elevated lead levels and lead poisoning have declined in the region and New York State since 1996, several Western New York counties continue to exceed statewide levels. Between 1996 and 1999, New York State's rate (excluding New York City) decreased from 9% to 5.8% (see chart, Elevated Lead Levels and Lead Poisoning, by County, 1996-99). By 1999, five counties in Western New York had achieved rates lower than that of the state, but three counties—Chautauqua, Erie, and Orleans—registered higher levels.

Elevated Lead Levels and Lead Poisoning, by County, 1996-99

Closer Look Despite overall reductions in the proportion of children in the region suffering from excessive lead exposure, approximately 2,500 children under age 6 displayed unsafe amounts of lead in their bodies in 1999. Elevated lead levels and lead poisoning are found in varying degrees throughout the region's urban, suburban, and rural areas, partly the result of lead-based paint in aging housing stock (see chart, Percent Children with Elevated Lead Levels, 1996-99).

Percent Children with Elevated Lead Levels, 1996-99 Erie County, with its larger population and greater number of substandard housing units, registers the most cases of childhood lead poisoning in Western New York. More than 80% of children in the region with high blood lead levels live in Erie County, with problem cases clustered within the county's urban areas. The State Department of Health tracks ZIP codes with high incidence of children with unsafe lead levels; four of 6

the worst 25 ZIP codes in upstate New York fall within the east side of Buffalo (see table, Lead Incidence in Children, 1996-99, 25 Worst ZIP Code in New York State (excluding NYC)). A disproportionately high number of racial and ethnic minorities and those living below the poverty level live in these neighborhoods. The poverty level in each of these four areas is two to over three times higher than the 11.1% poverty level of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area overall.

Lead Incidence in Children, 1996-99

Short Term Goals By 2005, all counties in Western New York will exceed the statewide (excluding New York City) average for the proportion of children under age 2 screened for blood lead levels.

Long Term Goals By 2008, all counties in Western New York will have lower proportions of children with unsafe levels of lead than children statewide (excluding New York City). Also, no Western New York ZIP code will be among the "worst 25" for lead poisoning in upstate New York.

Action Steps Local, state, and federal agencies; health care professionals: Evaluate the effectiveness of existing health care treatment programs and current lead abatement and removal efforts; educate parents about the necessity and availability of blood lead testing for children. Media, educators, and advocacy groups: Work with health care professionals and government agencies to increase public awareness of the adverse health consequences of lead exposure in children.

7

Data Sources and Notes Statistics for 1996-1999 are available online from the New York State Department of Health's report, Protecting Our Children from Lead: The Success of New York's Efforts to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning. Data were compiled from the childhood lead databases of local health departments, which collect additional demographic and program data including address, inspections, and housing abatement information. New York State public health regulations (10 NYCRR, Part 67-Subpart 3) require all laboratories to transmit reports of blood lead tests to the State Department of Health. A lead incidence rate refers to the occurrence of newly identified cases of children with elevated blood lead levels.

Providing Shelter — Nov 1999 Why it Matters Homelessness results from an array of problems, such as poverty, unemployment, mental illness, substance abuse, and family violence. It can also exacerbate and perpetuate such problems, with chronic and tragic outcomes both for individuals and for the community. As the chronically homeless tend to travel from community to community, transitional and emergency shelter needs are regional in scope.

Emergency and Transitional Shelter Provided, 1998

About the Indicator Western New York’s emergency shelters offer relatively shortterm assistance (from one night’s shelter up to 60 days), while transitional shelters provide longer-term housing (60 days to two years) and support. Twenty emergency housing 8

providers and 25 transitional housing programs across the eight counties were canvassed to obtain information on the number of persons using services, average length of stay, and the number who moved on to stable housing. Of the 20 emergency housing providers canvassed, 19 reported information, as did 21 of the 25 transitional housing programs. While many of the services kept follow-up statistics on clients, several could not provide information on outcomes after clients left their programs.

Regional Performance The region’s shelters report that in 1998 some 7,100 Western New Yorkers sought some form of shelter, with nearly 4,500 going to emergency shelters and another 2,600 in transitional housing. (People in transitional housing do not necessarily come from emergency shelters, nor do those in emergency shelter always go on to transitional housing.) Of those using transitional facilities, 517 (approximately 20%) moved into stable housing (see chart, Emergency and Transitional Shelter Provided, 1998). Four of the reporting transitional shelters, however, do not track clients after departure; thus, the actual percentage of transitional housing clients who move to stable housing may be higher. While many emergency shelter clients also move on to stable housing, few providers keep records on clients’ destinations after receiving shelter services.

Distribution of Shelter Services, 1999 Area shelter providers and homeless advocates note a need to expand transitional housing services throughout the region. Transitional housing can offer support for recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, or the trauma of family violence, and can provide lifeskills training to help break cycles of homelessness. At present the region lacks full information capacity to track individuals from shelter to shelter. Such a system would ideally provide client background and help create links to services that might assist clients in addressing the root causes of their homelessness.

9

Closer Look While roughly half of the region’s 50 or so shelter services offer transitional housing, most of these (21) are located in Erie County. Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties have no transitional housing, and Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties have neither dedicated emergency shelters nor transitional housing (see chart, Distribution of Shelter Services, 1999 ). In every county, however, people facing a housing crisis can turn to county social services departments, as well as Section 8 voucher and subsidized housing agencies. Some of the region’s housing providers meet needs of specific groups. For example, Vive La Casa in Buffalo offers 100 beds to individuals and families seeking residency in Canada. This program, typically operating at capacity, serves an average of 190 refugees a month. In addition, some regional shelters specifically serve domestic violence victims, homeless people with AIDS, runaway youth or ex-offenders. Beyond the call for more transitional housing, Western New York service providers report a need for more housing support for persons with mental illness and those recovering from substance abuse—especially single men in rural areas. Moreover, while one-quarter to one-third of the region’s emergency and transitional housing can accommodate small families, longer-term housing support for large families is in short supply.

Short Term Goals By 2001, the region will have in place a region-wide method of collecting accurate information on the population of homeless persons, fully assessing demand for shelter, tracking outcomes for shelter clients, and coordinating the services available to them.

Long Term Goals By 2005, the region will offer at least 25% more transitional housing services; each county will have emergency shelters to meet demand as assessed through formal tracking; and the number of persons in the region who move from transitional housing to stable housing will be at least 40%.

Action Steps Policymakers, housing service providers, nonprofit, community, and philanthropic groups: Institute a universal data collection system for the region’s shelter providers, including a survey mechanism to assess clients’ status at six and 12 months after leaving shelter; promote and support the creation of a larger, broader base of transitional housing services. Community groups, local governments: Identify additional appropriate sites for emergency and transitional housing to accommodate demand. 10

Data Sources and Notes Both emergency shelters (short-term) and transitional housing (longer-term, e.g., "halfway houses") in Western New York were identified by members of the Human Services Task Force and canvassed by telephone for information on their services and facilities and on client usage. While the Bureau of Housing Services of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance maintains some information on homelessness and shelters, reporting mechanisms that generate these data may be irregular. For more on Vive La Casa, see "Taking care of Tibetan refugees," Buffalo News, Wednesday, August 18, 1999, B-1.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment — Nov 1999 Why it Matters Alcoholism and substance abuse cut across all age, racial, ethnic, and income groups. Often interrelated with domestic violence, unemployment, and crime, alcohol and drugs also pose health risks for abusers and can be implicated in injury to others. Treatment of abusers has a major impact on human services and health care, as well as an incalculable impact on individuals and families.

About the Indicator The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) licenses treatment programs and services, estimates service needs based on state and national research, and analyzes system capacity and the percent of need being met for each county (latest available figures: March 1999). Data are kept for both adult users and adolescents (grades 7-12). Treatment capacity data are not yet available for drug and alcohol detox programs, methadone centers, and extended drug- and alcohol-free supportive residential beds. Data on alcohol inpatient rehabilitation are available at the regional level (all eight counties reported together).

Percent of Treatment Need Met, by Treatment Type, 1999

Regional Performance OASAS figures indicate that 381,000 adults in Western New York are in need of treatment for alcohol and/or substance abuse. Treatment programs across the eightcounty region currently 11

serve approximately 258,000, or 68% of those estimated to need treatment. Hence, nearly a third of the region’s adults in need of treatment for drug or alcohol abuse—some 123,000, or more than one in 10 adults—remain unserved. This figure is in keeping with OASAS’ estimate that 11% of all New Yorkers are untreated problem drinkers or drug users. Within the region, the estimated need for alcohol abuse treatment is more fully met than is the estimated need for drug abuse treatment. The region’s outpatient alcohol services meet approximately 81% of need, while inpatient services meet some 68% of need. By contrast, only 55% of the need for drug treatment is met (see Chart, Percent of Treatment Need Met, By Treatment Type, 1999). In particular, roughly 150 Western New Yorkers are considered to need a medically monitored in-patient withdrawal program, a service that does not exist within the region. New York State legislation passed in 1999 consolidates several state programs and funding streams dealing with alcohol and drug treatment services; recent bills also require several new studies, including an analysis of drug and alcohol service needs among the elderly. OASAS indicates that, in effecting program consolidations and conducting new analyses, there will likely be significant changes in the way that service need is measured.

Closer Look Percent of Need for Youth Outpatient Services Met, 1997-1998 Regional studies cited by the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse indicate that the average age for first use of alcohol or drugs among young Western New Yorkers is just over 11 years old. Treatment for these young abusers can be the key to avoiding lifelong alcohol and substance abuse and its far-reaching effects. From July 1997 through August 1998, over 86,500 young people in grades 7-12 in the region needed outpatient treatment for chemical dependency. Only 35,000—40%—were served through the region’s treatment programs. The region’s only program focused specifically on substance abuse treatment for this age group consistently has a long waiting list, and its services are not covered by health insurance. This relative lack of services is a serious gap. Orleans County, with the overall capacity to serve over 50% of estimated need, leads the region in providing outpatient drug and alcohol treatment to young people. Erie, Wyoming, and Cattaraugus Counties have capacity to serve at least 40% of their youth treatment 12

requirements. Niagara (capacity at 24% of need) and Chautauqua (capacity at 16% of need) have significant deficits in outpatient treatment capacity for youth with drug and alcohol problems (see chart, Percent of Need for Youth Outpatient Services Met, 1997-1998).

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals By 2005, the need for alcohol and drug treatment in the region will be at least 10% below current levels as a result of effective prevention and treatment campaigns; capacity in all types of alcohol and drug treatment programs will align with regional demand for these services; in particular, the region will have full capacity to meet estimated need for treatment among abusers 12-18 years old.

Action Steps Policymakers, treatment professionals, educators, researchers, community and philanthropic groups: Promote, support, and implement a coordinated effort to analyze and improve the effectiveness of alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment programs, particularly those targeting youth. Policymakers, treatment professionals: Develop and implement collection of county-level data on treatment program effectiveness; replicate successful treatment models throughout the region.

Data Sources and Notes Additional information is available online at the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Web site from the OASAS data warehouse "DataMart." New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/hps/datamart/DataMart.htm

At-Risk Youth — Dec 2002

Nov 1999

Since Last Report PINS ("Person in Need of Supervision") petitions filed in Western New York courts have declined since 1998, indicating a commitment to assist at-risk youth without judicial intervention. Moreover, PINS complaints (or case openings, which do not necessarily develop into PINS petitions) have declined, although Western New York still registered more complaints per capita than upstate New York as a whole. 13

Progress Toward Goals The 7.7% decrease in the per-capita rate of PINS petition filings between 1998 and 2001 signals the region is on pace to meet the goal of at least a 10% reduction in each county by 2002, and a 20% reduction by 2005. However, the region does not appear to be on track to meet the 2005 goal to maintain a PINS complaint rate (per 1,000 children aged 10 to 15) for each county that is less than 125% of the upstate New York rate. While Erie and Genesee Counties have achieved this goal, the rates in the remaining six Western New York counties must significantly decrease (by more than 50% in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties, for example) to reach this 2005 target.

PINS Petitions Filed in Western New York, 1994-2001

About the Indicator In New York State, prior to July 1, 2002, a Family Court judge could designate a child under age 16 a PINS if the child repeatedly engaged in school truancy, ran away, violated curfews, or participated in other criminal or noncriminal activity that demonstrated he or she was beyond parental control. Effective July 1, 2002, the definition of PINS expanded to include 16- and 17-year-olds. The New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives tracks the number of PINS complaints. PINS petition filings—indicating failure of alternatives to court intervention—are tracked by the state's Unified Court System.

Western New York PINS Petitions Filed, by County, 1998 and 2001

Regional Performance Since 1998, the number of PINS petitions filed in Western New York courts decreased by 5.7%, to 1,168 14

petitions, the lowest level since 1994 (see chart, PINS Petitions Filed in WNY, 1994-2001). Erie County registered the largest decrease in the number of petitions filed, although Allegany County experienced the largest percent reduction in such filings, 32%. The overall decrease in PINS petition filings could demonstrate the success of regional efforts to keep troubled youth out of the judicial system. This decrease, however, follows a major surge in 2000, when 1,303 petitions were filed, the region's highest level in eight years. Across the region the number of PINS petitions filed per 1,000 10- to 15-year-olds ranges from a high of 12.6 in Allegany County to a low of 6.9 in Erie County (see chart, WNY PINS Petitions Filed By County, 1998 and 2001 ). The regional average—8.4 cases per 1,000—represents a 7.7% decrease since 1998. Although regional performance improved overall since 1998, PINS petition filings per 1,000 10-to 15-year-olds increased in Chautauqua, Genesee, and Orleans Counties. Rates in three Western New York counties (Erie, Orleans, and Wyoming) are below the regional average. Erie County's PINS petitions, however, continue to represent nearly half of the regional caseload.

Western New York PINS Complaints and Filings, by County, 2001

Closer Look Data from 2001 are the latest available to measure PINS complaints. In 2001, for every 24 PINS complaints per 1,000 children aged 10 to 15, the region averaged eight PINS petitions filed (see chart, WNY PINS Complaints and Filings by County, 2001). Thus, two-thirds of PINS complaints were resolved without court intervention. Although both PINS complaints and PINS petitions filed have decreased proportionally since the last report, the ratio remains essentially unchanged relative to 1996, when an average of 29 PINS complaints were registered for every 10 PINS petitions filed per 1,000 10- to 15-year-olds. In view of recent changes to New York State's PINS law (increasing the age limit to include 16- and 17-year-olds) the number of those entering the system will likely rise, thereby placing additional burdens on county youth services departments and intervention resources. By county, the proportion of PINS complaints resolved without judicial intervention ranges from a high of 81% in Chautauqua County to a low of 50% in Genesee County. Such disparities are likely attributable to different county policies and practices rather than the different needs of families in the region. The number of PINS complaints in Western New York ranges from a high of 45 15

complaints per 1,000 children aged 10 to 15 in Chautauqua County, to a low of 18 complaints in Erie County. Only two counties in Western New York—Erie and Genesee—registered PINS complaint rates lower than the regional average of 24. Furthermore, all eight counties in the region exceeded the 2001 upstate New York (New York State, excluding New York City) rate of 15.9 PINS complaints per 1,000 children aged 10 to 15.

Data Sources and Notes The number of PINS cases opened annually by county are from the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, while the number of PINS petitions annually filed in court are from the NYS Unified Court System. For the years 2000 and 2001, the number of PINS cases per 1,000 children ages 10-15 were calculated using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000 population counts, available online at the Census Web site through American FactFinder. For the years 1998 and 1999, the number of PINS cases per 1,000 children in this age group were calculated using population estimates based on the 1990 and 2000 Census. As used in this indicator, upstate New York refers to all counties within New York State except those counties comprising New York City. The definition of "Person is Need of Supervision" can be found in NYS Family Court ƒ712 and NYS Social Service Law ƒ371. As of July 2002, New York State expanded the definition of PINS to include children ages 16-17. New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DCPA) http://dpca.state.ny.us; U.S. Census BureauAmerican FactFinder http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en

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Birth Weight — Feb 2005 Western New York Underweight Births, 1993-2000

Since Last Report Underweight births in Western New York generally increased between 1993 through 2000 and only one county, Genesee, registered a low birth weight rate below 6%. Between 1992 and 2000, the number of women seeking early prenatal care (in the first trimester of pregnancy) generally declined in the eightcounty region.

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Progress Toward Goals The region is not on track to attain the 2003 short-term birth weight goal of having no county with a low birth weight rate exceeding 6%. Western New York is also not likely to attain the goal of increasing the percentage of women receiving early prenatal care to at least 80% in each county. Only three counties met this standard by 2000 and the remaining five counties not only failed to achieve this level, some lost considerable ground relative to their 1992 levels (note Erie).

Mothers Receiving Early Prenatal Care

About the Indicator Low birth weight is defined as a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds). The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) County Health Indicator Profiles provide measures of low birth weight as a percentage of all live births, and percentages of mothers seeking prenatal care. Data for low birth weights by race and ethnicity are derived from the county profiles included in the NYSDOH Vital Statistics reports from 1993 to 2000.

Regional Performance Between 1993 and 2000, underweight births in Western New York rose in all counties but one—in Orleans County, where low weight births declined slightly—increasing the region’s incidence of low birth weight from 6.2% to 6.9%. During this period, the average for New York State (excluding New York City) also increased, moving up from 6.8% for 1993-1996, to 7.1% for 1997-2000 (see chart, WNY Underweight Births, 1993-2000). Genesee County was the only county to register a low birth weight rate below 6%. However, its’ average rate actually increased since last report (from an average of 5.3% for the period between 1993-1996 to an average of 5.8% for 1997-2000). The remaining Western New York counties— Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua and Wyoming—each experienced an increase in underweight births for these reporting cycles. The most dramatic average increases between 1993-1996 and 1997-2000 occurred in Allegany County (where low weight births rose from 5.2% to 7.0%, or a 33.5% rise) and Wyoming County (where low weight births rose from 4.3% to 6.2%, or a 43.6% rise). Early prenatal care, one factor in low birth weight rates, has declined nearly across the board since 1992 (see table, Mothers Receiving Early Prenatal Care, 1992-2000). While three Western 17

New York counties, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming, reported at least 80% of mothers seeking prenatal care, the remaining five counties not only failed to achieve this level, but some lost considerable ground relative to their 1992 levels. With the exception of Cattaraugus County, all Western New York counties had lower percentages of mothers seeking prenatal care in 2000 than they had in 1992.

Low Weight Birth Rates, by Select Race/Ethnicity

Closer Look In Western New York the incidence of low weight births continued to vary considerably by race and ethnicity. While black infants remain most at risk regionally, the race/ethnicity gap is closing. Among black newborns, underweight births have fallen steadily from a high of 15.2% in 1993 to 11.5% by 2000. The Hispanic low birth weight rate peaked in 1995 (at 8.7%). By 2000 it had dropped to 7.2%, only one-half of one percent higher than the 2000 rate for white infants. While the incidence of low birth weight among white newborns was 5.6% in 1992, it has steadily increased since 1995, moving from 6.3% to 6.7% in 2000 (see chart, Low Birth Weight Rates, by Selected Race/Ethnicity, 1992-2000). Perhaps one explanation for the narrowing of the region’s race/ethnicity gap is the surge in the incidence of low birth weight in suburban areas of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). A recent Healthy Cities, Healthy Suburbs report, comparing various health indicators (including low birth weight), ranked the Buffalo-Niagara Falls MSA 5th of 100 largest metropolitan areas with the highest percent increase of underweight births between 1990 and 1999. The increasing number of pregnancies associated with assisted reproductive technologies may be fueling this trend. Nearly 40% of all births resulting from use of assisted reproductive technologies are multiple births and one of the major complications of multiple births is low birth weight.

Data Sources and Notes Western New York data on pregnancies, births, low birth weight, and prenatal care (reported by county) come from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) County Health Indicator Profiles. Additional Western New York low birth weight data (for cities and villages) come from NYSDOH Vital Statistics (2000) Table 53, City and Village Profiles. 18

Information on the rising suburban incidence of low birth weight in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area comes from Healthy Cities, Healthy Suburbs Report: Progress in Meeting Healthy People Goals for the Nation's 100 Largest Cities and Their Suburbs, August 2002, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. The Social & Health Landscape of Urban & Suburban America Report Series Healthy Cities, Healthy Suburbs Report. New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)-County Health Indicator Profiles http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/cfch/west.htm New York State Department of Health-Vital Statistics http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vital_statistics/index.htm

Teen Pregnancy — Feb 2005 Teen Pregnancy: Western New York vs. New York State, 1992-2002

Since Last Report Between 1998 and 2002, incidence of teen pregnancy in Western New York declined significantly. Although the region’s teen pregnancy rate is still much higher than that of New York State (excluding New York City), and teen pregnancy remains far more prevalent among black and Hispanic teenagers than among whites, the region has made positive gains on this issue.

Progress Toward Goals Except for Erie County (which had a teen pregnancy rate of 60.5), each county in Western New York ended 2002 with a teen pregnancy rate below the 2003 State of the Region goal of rates no higher than 60 per 1,000, with some counties achieving rates substantially below this level. Thus, the region appears to be ahead of schedule in meeting the State of the Region goal for 2003. To post further gains on this issue, the region should focus resources where they will likely have the greatest impact, namely, in urban areas where teenagers are most at risk of becoming mothers. Information about pregnancies among women aged 15-19 is provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) County Health Profiles series (latest data: 2002). Canadian data 19

About the Indicator come from the public health departments of the City of Hamilton and the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The NYSDOH Bureau of Biometrics tracks pregnancy rates by race and ethnicity. Population estimates for teenage girls were obtained from the U.S. Census. Teen pregnancy rates, expressed as a rate per 1,000 women aged 15-19, include all pregnancies, regardless of whether they result in a live birth.

Western New York Teen Pregnancies, by Select Race/Ethnicity, 1992-2002

Regional Performance Between 1992 and 2002, pregnancy rates among women aged 15-19 years in Western New York declined 30.9% from 79.0 per 1,000 to 54.5 per 1,000, slightly below New York State’s 32.6% drop (excluding New York City) (see chart, Teen Pregnancy: WNY vs. NYS, 1992-2002).

Western New York Teen Pregnancy Rates, by County, 1992 vs. 2002

By county, the rates of descent varied considerably: Chautauqua County’s rate tumbled by 34.9% from 1992 to 2002, while Genesee County’s rate was down by 7.8%. Erie County, which had the highest teen pregnancy rate in 1992—88.4 per 1000— experienced a 31.6% drop but still ended 2002 with the region’s highest rate (60.5 per 1,000) (see chart, WNY Teen Pregnancy Rates, by County, 1992 vs. 2002). The City of Hamilton and the Regional Municipality of Niagara reported teen 20

pregnancy rates of 37.3 and 41.4 per 1,000 women, respectively, for 2000, signifying declines of 28.2% and 3.7%, respectively, from their 1995 rates. While Hamilton and Niagara’s teen pregnancy rates are low relative to the eight Western New York counties, both exceed the Province of Ontario’s 2000 rate of 34.1 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15-19.

Closer Look By select race/ethnicity, pregnancy rates among women aged 15-19 decreased between 1992 and 2002. The rate for black teenagers experienced the largest decline (down 42.2%), followed by white teenagers (down 39.9%), and Hispanic teenagers (down 24.2%). While meaningful progress has been made in narrowing the race/ethnicity gap, teen pregnancy remains far more prevalent among black and Hispanic teenagers than among whites. As of 2002, the pregnancy rate for black teenagers was 137.3 per 1,000, over four times the rate of 39.1 per 1,000 for white teenagers. The rate for Hispanic teens falls between these two groups at 88.4 pregnancies per 1,000. The pregnancy rate among Hispanic teens between 1998 and 2002, which dropped precipitously in 1998 but rebounded sharply in 1999, reinforces a basic but important point, namely, that “progress” on this issue can be fragile and is best viewed over a number of years (see chart, WNY Teen Pregnancies, by Selected Race/Ethnicity, 1992-2002).

Western New York Distribution of Teen Pregnancy, 2002

Although Western New York’s incidence of teen pregnancy has declined, teen pregnancy remains concentrated in some of the region’s urban areas, with fewer pregnancies among teens in less urbanized and rural areas. The City of Buffalo composes 18.2% of Western New York’s population, but is home to 42.9% of the region’s teen pregnancies. Similarly, Niagara Falls has nearly 3.4% of the region’s population, but 6.7% of the region’s teen pregnancies and Jamestown, home to 2% of the region’s population, reported 3.3% of the region’s teen pregnancies (see table, WNY Distribution of Teen Pregnancy, 2002).

21

Data Sources and Notes Teen pregnancy data for Western New York were obtained from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) County Health Profiles. County Health Indicator Profiles provide teenage pregnancy numbers; data on race and ethnicity come from personal communication with health department personnel. Urban concentration data come from NYSDOH Vital Statistics (2000) Table 53, City and Village Profiles. Data for the City of Hamilton and the Regional Municipality of Niagara were obtained from their respective health departments City of Hamilton Public Health and Community Services and The Regional Municipality of Niagara Public Health Department. City of Hamilton data were also found in Ontario Early Years Community Profile: City of Hamilton, 2004. Population estimates used in calculating teen pregnancy rates were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau- Population Estimates - http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)-County Health Indicator Profiles http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/cfch/west.htm New York State Department of Health-Vital http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vital_statistics/index.htm

Statistics

-

City of Hamilton Public Health and Community Services - http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/phcs/ Regional Municipality of Niagara--Public http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/government/health/

Health

Department

-

22

American Community Survey Profile 2003 U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Profile: Buffalo city, New York See footnotes below.

POPULATION OF Buffalo city: In 2003, Buffalo city had a household population of 276,000 - 147,000 (53 percent) females and 129,000 (47 percent) males. The median age was 35.4 years. Twenty-six percent of the population were under 18 years and 12 percent were 65 years and older. For people reporting one race, 57 percent were White alone; 38 percent were Black or African American; less than 0.5 percent were American Indian and Alaska Native; 1 percent were Asian; less than 0.5 percent were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 3 percent were Some other race. Three percent reported Two or more races. Nine percent of the people in Buffalo city were Hispanic. Fifty-one percent of the people in Buffalo city were White nonHispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race. HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2003 there were 118,000 households in Buffalo city. The average household size was 2.34 people. Families made up 56 percent of the households in Buffalo city that year. This figure includes both married-couple families (27 percent) and other families (29 percent). Nonfamily households made up 44 percent of all households in Buffalo city. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were comprised of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder. 23

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Seven percent of the people living in Buffalo city in 2003 were foreign born. Ninety-three percent were native, including 81 percent who were born in New York. Among people at least five years old living in Buffalo city in 2003, 13 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 53 percent spoke Spanish and 47 percent spoke some other language; 33 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well." GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2003, 85 percent of the people at least one year old living in Buffalo city were living in the same residence one year earlier; 13 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, less than 0.5 percent from another county in the same state, 2 percent from another state, and less than 0.5 percent from abroad.

24

EDUCATION: In 2003, 76 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 23 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Among people 16 to 19 years old, 9 percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. The total school enrollment in Buffalo city was 73,000 in 2003. Preprimary school enrollment was 6,300 and elementary or high school enrollment was 50,000 children (38,000 in regular Buffalo Public Schools). College enrollment was 17,000. 25

DISABILITY: In Buffalo city, among people at least five years old in 2003, 21 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 5 percent of people 5 to 20 years old, to 21 percent of people 21 to 64 years old, and to 48 percent of those 65 and older. INDUSTRIES: In 2003, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Buffalo city were Educational, health, and social services, 30 percent, and Retail trade, 12 percent.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 32 percent; Sales and office occupations, 29 percent; Service occupations, 19 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 15 percent; and Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations, 6 percent. Seventy-seven percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 19 percent were Federal, state, or local government workers; and 4 percent were Self-employed. TRAVEL TO WORK: Sixty-seven percent of Buffalo city workers drove to work alone in 2003, 13 percent carpooled, 13 percent took public transportation, and 5 percent used other 26

means. The remaining 2 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 19 minutes to get to work. INCOME: The median income of households in Buffalo city was $28,499. Seventy-four percent of the households received earnings and 18 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-nine percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $10,358. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source. POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2003, 22 percent of people were in poverty. Thirty-one percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 8 percent of people 65 years old and over. Twentyone percent of all families and 33 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2003, Buffalo city had a total of 143,000 housing units, 17.6 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 33 percent were in singleunit structures, 67 percent were in multi-unit structures, and less than 0.5 percent were mobile homes. Two percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

27

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2003, Buffalo city had 118,000 occupied housing units - 55,000 (47 percent) owner occupied and 63,000 (53 percent) renter occupied. Four percent of the households did not have telephone service and 27 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Twenty-three percent had two vehicles and another 6 percent had three or more. HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for (specified) mortgaged owners was $913, (specified) non-mortgaged owners $303, and (specified) renters $525. Twentyfour percent of owners with mortgages, 6 percent of owners without mortgages, and 46 percent of renters in Buffalo city spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.

28

NOTES: The population estimates in this profile are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. In the narrative profiles above, if one sample estimate is larger than another, it does not necessarily mean that the same holds for their true values for the entire population. These estimates are derived from a sample of housing units and measure the true values with a degree of uncertainty. In the tabular profiles this uncertainty is represented by the 90 percent confidence interval given for each estimate. For further information on confidence intervals see the Accuracy of the Data document. Caution should be used when comparing data by race for years before 1999 with those for 2000 and beyond due to the Census Bureau's implementation of the October 1997 revised standards for data on race and ethnicity. These data allow respondents to report one or more races and there are seven (American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, White, Some other race, and Two or more races) instead of five racial tabulation categories. The Two or more races category includes all respondents who reported more than one race. See the methodology section for more details regarding these changes.

29

In addition, caution should be used when comparing population numbers by age, race, and sex for 2000 with all earlier years. The numbers for 2000 have been weighted to be generally consistent with Census 2000 counts. Detail may not add to totals due to rounding. Percentages are based on unrounded numbers For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, go to the American Community Survey web site www.census.gov/acs/www/ and click on Advanced Methodology.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey Office Last revised: Tuesday June 28, 2005

Table 1. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state and metropolitan area (Numbers in thousands)

Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area Civilian labor force May 2005 2006 583.4 588.0

June 2005 2006 591.0 597.4

Number May 2005 30.2

2006 29.0

June 2005 2006 31.2 29.3

Unemployed Percent of labor force May 2005 5.2

2006 4.9

June 2005 2006 5.3 4.9

Note: the Civilian Labor Force grew from 2005 to 2006 by 6,400 (June ’05 – June ’06). The number of unemployed fell by 1,900 over that same period. This indicates that the economy of the area was able to provide job growth faster than the growth of the work force.

30

Comparative Data and Analysis: CAO City of Buffalo Area Key Demographic Indices

2002

2004 (3)

Change

% Change

Total population

258,493

267,436

8,943

3.5%

Under 5 years

15,668

17,122

1,454

9.3%

5 to 9 years

18,374

22,508

4,134

22.5%

10 to 14 years

19,598

21,147

1,549

7.9%

15 to 19 years

13,057

16,431

3,374

25.8%

One race

251,836

263,483

11,647

4.6%

White

129,426

145,287

15,861

12.3%

Black or African American

107,769

103,007

-4,762

-4.4%

Occupied housing units

114,654

118,957

4,303

3.8%

Owner-occupied

53,633

58,660

5,027

9.4%

Renter-occupied

61,021

60,297

-724

-1.2%

Population 25 years and over

164,932

167,949

3,017

1.8%

Less than 9th grade

15,034

8,245

-6,789

-45.1%

9th to 12th grade, no diploma

26,760

24,394

-2,366

-8.8%

High School Graduate or Equivalency

46,228

59,642

13,414

29%

Bachelor's degree

18,751

18,333

-418

-2.2%

Graduate or professional degree

10,896

12,477

1,581

14.5%

Percent high school grad. or higher

74.7

80.6

5.9

7.9%

Percent bachelor's degree or higher

18.0

18.3

.3

1.6%

RACE

HOUSING TENURE

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN NONINSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATION Population 5 to 20 years (1)

55,425

48,527

-6,898

-12.4%

With a disability

2,713

4,523

1,810

66.7%

Population 21 to 64 years (1)

147,970

174,754

26,784

18.1%

With a disability

37,244

34,339

-2,905

-7.8%

Percent employed

35.5

(2)

Population 65 years and over

39,430

26,837

-12,593

-32%

With a disability

20,089

14,428

-5,661

-28.1% 31

EMPLOYMENT Unemployed

13,734

14,448

714

5.2%

Percent unemployed

12.0

11.7

-0.3

-2.5%

Total households

114,654

118,957

4,303

3.8%

Less than $10,000

19,945

21,748

1,803

9%

$10,000 to $14,999

10,073

10,876

803

8%

$15,000 to $24,999

26,267

21,901

-4,366

-16.6%

Median household income (dollars)

25,886

28,544

2,658

10.3%

Families

55,190

63,307

8,117

14.7%

Less than $10,000

4,792

7,496

2,704

56.4%

$10,000 to $14,999

4,020

7,442

3,422

85.1%

$15,000 to $24,999

11,150

9,888

-1,262

-11.3%

Median family income (dollars)

33,923

36,845

2,922

8.6%

Per capita income (dollars)

15,691

17,095

1,404

8.9%

27,710

29,116

1,406

5.1%

INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2002 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)

GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME 35.0 percent or more

(1) The ACS 2004 Update changed this indicator from 5 – 20, and 21 – 64, to 5 – 15, and 16 – 64 (2) The ACS 2004 Update did not include this data (3) In each case the ACS “Estimated” Column figures are used All Above Statistics are taken from the American Community Survey - Data Profile 2003 ND 2004 Updates, Respectively

32

Erie County, New York General Demographic Characteristics: 2005 Data Set: 2005 American Community Survey Survey: 2005 American Community Survey Demographic - Sex and Age, Race, Relationship, Household by Type NOTE. Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survey Methodology.

General Demographic Characteristics: 2005 Total population SEX AND AGE Male Female Under 5 years 5 to 9 years 10 to 14 years 15 to 19 years 20 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 59 years 60 to 64 years 65 to 74 years 75 to 84 years 85 years and over Total Population Under 25 years Median age (years)

Erie Cty Bflo-City Erie Cty % Bflo City % 898,981 256,492 431,322 467,659 51,439 57,225 62,146 60,127 60,083 103,233 129,374 139,727 57,293 44,426 63,133 53,897 16,878 291,020 39.8

120,007 136,485 16,265 17,196 20,920 18,825 22,674 35,572 34,447 37,302 12,556 9,648 14,285 13,054 3,748 95,880 34.2

18 years and over 21 years and over 62 years and over 65 years and over

689,113 656,395 160,797 133,908

189,051 178,131 37,115 31,087

18 years and over Male Female

689,113 324,106 365,007

189,051 84,636 104,415

65 years and over Male Female

133,908 54,099 79,809

31,087 12,250 18,837

889,519 9,462

252,691 3,801

RACE One race Two or more races

5.7% 6.4% 6.9% 6.7% 6.7%

6.3% 6.7% 8.2% 7.3% 8.8%

32.4%

37.4%

76.7%

73.7%

14.9%

12.1%

33

General Demographic Characteristics: 2005 Total population One race White Black or African American American Indian and Alaska Native Cherokee tribal grouping Chippewa tribal grouping Navajo tribal grouping Sioux tribal grouping Asian Asian Indian Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese Other Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Guamanian or Chamorro Samoan Other Pacific Islander Some other race Two or more races White and Black or African American White and American Indian and Alaska Native White and Asian Black or African American and American Indian and Alaska Native Race alone or in combination with one or more other races Total population White Black or African American American Indian and Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Some other race

Erie Cty Bflo-City Erie Cty % Bflo City % 898,981 256,492 889,519 252,691 734,569 128,912 81.7% 50.3% 119,696 105,285 13.3% 41.0% 4,372 1,008 N N N N N N N N 17,224 6,820 4,474 2,105 3,818 974 946 601 458 0 3,137 470 3,009 1,929 1,382 741 23 0 N N N N N N N N 13,635 10,666 9,462 3,801 2,971 1,120 3,288 884 499 295 635

898,981 743,254 123,817 8,797 18,229 N 14,941

0

256,492 132,648 106,806 2,053 7,407 N 11,741

82.7% 13.8%

51.7% 41.6%

34

General Demographic Characteristics: 2005 HISPANIC OR LATINO AND RACE Total population Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban Other Hispanic or Latino Not Hispanic or Latino White alone Black or African American alone American Indian and Alaska Native alone Asian alone Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone Some other race alone Two or more races Two races including Some other race Two races excluding Some other race, and Three or more races RELATIONSHIP Household population Householder Spouse Child Other relatives Nonrelatives Unmarried partner HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE Total households Family households (families) With own children under 18 years Married-couple families With own children under 18 years Male householder, no wife present With own children under 18 years Female householder, no husband present With own children under 18 years Nonfamily households Householder living alone 65 years and over Households with one or more people under 18 years Households with one or more people 65 years and over

Erie Cty Bflo-City Erie Cty % Bflo City % 898,981 31,257 3,525 21,998 706 5,028 867,724 721,456 117,767 3,767 17,164 0 338 7,232 0 7,232

256,492 19,425 946 16,603 274 1,602 237,067 122,466 104,215 1,008 6,760 0 212 2,406 0

7.6%

2.4%

6.5%

61.6% 28.0% 43.9% 18.0%

52.5% 28.5% 23.6% 10.3%

13.7% 8.0% 38.4% 32.4% 12.2%

23.4% 15.7% 47.5% 39.2% 10.3%

2,406

898,981 387,743 170,049 265,661 31,712 43,816 18,752

256,492 118,369 28,353 76,973 14,208 18,589 6,553

383,987 236,460 107,638 168,606 69,068 15,315 7,975 52,539 30,595 147,527 124,477 46,802

117,124 61,442 33,398 27,613 12,074 6,458 2,901 27,371 18,423 55,682 45,925 12,044

116,353

36,926

101,218

3.5%

24,789 35

General Demographic Characteristics: 2005 Erie Cty Bflo-City Erie Cty % Bflo City % Average household size 2.34 2.19 Average family size 2.99 2.96 Erie County, New York Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005 Data Set: 2005 American Community Survey Survey: 2005 American Community Survey Economic - Income, Employment, Occupation, Commuting to Work... NOTE. Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survey Methodology. Erie Cty Bflo City Erie Cty Bflo-City Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005 % % EMPLOYMENT STATUS Population 16 years and over 714,292 197,261 In labor force 457,178 121,731 64.0% 61.2% Civilian labor force 456,544 121,633 Employed 419,180 102,937 58.7% 52.2% Unemployed (as % of “16 years and over”) 37,364 18,696 5.2% 9.5% Armed Forces 634 98 Not in labor force 257,114 75,530 Unemployed as % of “in labor force” 8.2% 15.4% Civilian labor force 456,544 121,633 Unemployed 8.2% 15.4% Females 16 years and over 377,368 109,319 In labor force 222,416 63,799 Civilian labor force 222,263 63,799 Employed 204,661 54,171 92.0% 84.9% Unemployed as % of “in labor force” 8.0% 15.1% Own children under 6 years 61,019 18,945 All parents in family in labor force 39,555 12,417 Own children 6 to 17 years All parents in family in labor force

137,864 102,345

43,761 33,101

COMMUTING TO WORK Workers 16 years and over Car, truck, or van -- drove alone Car, truck, or van -- carpooled Public transportation (excluding taxicab) Walked Other means Worked at home

406,456 331,922 31,868 14,424 9,476 7,021 11,745

99,176 65,852 9,635 11,632 5,773 3,857 2,427

20.4

19.6

Mean travel time to work (minutes)

81.7% 7.8% 3.5% 2.3%

66.4% 9.7% 11.7% 5.8%

36

Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005 Civilian employed population 16 years and over OCCUPATION Management, professional, and related occupations Service occupations Sales and office occupations Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations Production, transportation, and material moving occupations INDUSTRY Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing, and utilities Information Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services Educational services, and health care, and social assistance Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation, and food services Other services, except public administration Public administration CLASS OF WORKER Private wage and salary workers Government workers Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business Unpaid family workers

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

419,180

102,937

149,594 72,737 119,361 517

29,612 25,392 27,819 107

35.6% 17.4% 6.6%

28.8% 24.7% 27.0%

25,978

5,836

6.2%

5.7%

50,993

14,171

12.2%

13.8%

2,101 19,501 47,949 17,187 47,563

155 4,013 9,329 3,097 8,598

19,700 9,595

3,934 2,839

30,579

7,287

40,282

11,526

111,203

31,030

32,419 20,422 20,679

7,547 6,770 6,812

323,128 74,251

76,207 22,401

20,843 958

4,239 90

17.7%

21.8%

37

Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005 INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2005 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) Total households Less than $10,000 $10,000 to $14,999 $15,000 to $24,999 $25,000 to $34,999 $35,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $149,999 $150,000 to $199,999 $200,000 or more Median household income (dollars) Mean household income (dollars) Households w/ income at or below $25,000 Households w/ income at or above $100,000 With earnings Mean earnings (dollars) With Social Security Mean Social Security income (dollars) With retirement income Mean retirement income (dollars) With Supplemental Security Income Mean Supplemental Security Income (dollars) With cash public assistance income Mean cash public assistance income (dollars) With Food Stamp benefits in the past 12 months Families Less than $10,000 $10,000 to $14,999 $15,000 to $24,999 $25,000 to $34,999 $35,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

383,987 40,244 26,923 51,925 43,394 59,288 70,964 41,674 33,690 9,888 5,997 41,967 54,836

117,124 22,531 12,095 20,406 15,417 17,768 15,738 6,545 4,481 1,387 756 27,311 37,479

119,092

55,032

49,575

6,624

286,237 57,802 121,534 13,977 85,795 17,096

85,104 39,724 31,712 12,154 19,013 13,318

16,822

8,652

8,181

7,652

10,898

7,407

3,153

2,965

38,183

26,534

236,460 13,930 8,960 23,251 23,551 34,631 52,153 35,370

61,442 9,551 4,874 10,055 7,320 9,598 9,843 5,083

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

31.0%

47%

12.9%

5.7%

38

Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005 $100,000 to $149,999 $150,000 to $199,999 $200,000 or more Median family income (dollars) Mean family income (dollars) Per capita income (dollars) Nonfamily households Median nonfamily income (dollars) Mean nonfamily income (dollars) Median earnings for workers (dollars) Median earnings for male full-time, yearround workers (dollars) Median earnings for female full-time, yearround workers (dollars)

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

30,136 8,874 5,604 56,305 68,222

3,444 1,026 648 33,027 44,865

23,801

17,348

147,527 24,304 31,582

55,682 20,688 27,270

27,356

21,517

44,158

39,345

32,013

29,628

10.1% 16.4% 21.8% 3.3% 4.1% 3.9%

23.6% 33.6% 49.6% 7.6% 11.4% 12.6%

PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHOSE INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL All families With related children under 18 years With related children under 5 years only Married couple families With related children under 18 years With related children under 5 years only Families with female householder, no husband present With related children under 18 years With related children under 5 years only

31.5%

40.3%

43.5% 67.8%

49.8% 76.5%

All people Under 18 years Related children under 18 years Related children under 5 years Related children 5 to 17 years 18 years and over 18 to 64 years 65 years and over People in families Unrelated individuals 15 years and over

13.2% 18.6% 18.0% 22.7% 16.4% 11.6% 12.4% 8.2% 10.4% 24.0%

26.9% 37.5% 36.8% 47.0% 33.6% 23.1% 25.3% 12.1% 24.4% 32.9%

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

39

Erie County, New York Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005 Data Set: 2005 American Community Survey Survey: 2005 American Community Survey Social - Education, Marital Status, Fertility, Grandparents... NOTE. Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survey Methodology. Selected Social Characteristics in the Erie Cty Bflo City Erie Cty Bflo-City United States: 2005 % % SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Population 3 years and over enrolled in school 230,545 75,533 School Enrollment as a % of Total Population 25.6% 29.4% Nursery school, preschool 11,987 3,725 5.2% 4.9% Kindergarten 10,804 2,977 Elementary school (grades 1-8) 97,001 32,157 High school (grades 9-12) 50,674 16,101 22.0% 21.3% College or graduate school 60,079 20,573 26.1% 27.2% EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Population 25 years and over Less than 9th grade 9th to 12th grade, no diploma High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college, no degree Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Graduate or professional degree

607,961 22,019 54,024

160,612 10,880 21,436

191,755

51,699

112,331 65,721 91,848 70,263

33,728 12,474 16,446 13,949

87.5% 26.7%

79.9% 18.9%

MARITAL STATUS Males 15 years and over Never married Now married, except separated Separated Widowed Divorced

344,789 120,332 177,813 5,794 11,856 28,994

91,004 43,154 30,980 3,276 3,354 10,240

Females 15 years and over Never married Now married, except separated Separated

383,382 112,058 174,541 9,224

111,107 49,189 29,649 5,490

Percent high school graduate or higher Percent bachelor's degree or higher

8.9%

13.3%

34.9% 51.6%

47.4% 34.0%

29.2% 45.5%

44.2% 26.7%

40

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005 Widowed Divorced

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

45,741 41,818

12,793 13,986

9,473

3,753

3.7%

4.7%

3,646 30 42 13 89 16

2,221 44 52 21 100 14

38.5%

59.2%

12,810 7,193

5,004 3,545

56.2%

70.8%

895 3,319 1,210 1,769

367 1,812 341 1,025

46.1%

51.1%

24.6%

28.9%

Characteristics of grandparents responsible for own grandchildren under 18 years Who are female Who are married

56.3% 76.1%

56.6% 65.8%

VETERAN STATUS Civilian population 18 years and over Civilian veterans

688,479 75,978

188,953 17,564

DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN NONINSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATION Population 5 years and over With a disability

846,908 130,806

240,129 44,830

15.4%

18.7%

Population 5 to 15 years With a disability

133,250 8,966

42,966 3,017

6.7%

7.0%

FERTILITY Number of women 15 to 50 years old who had a birth in the past 12 months As a % of total women ages 15 – 54 in Jurisdiction Unmarried women (widowed, divorced, and never married) Per 1,000 unmarried women Per 1,000 women 15 to 50 years old Per 1,000 women 15 to 19 years old Per 1,000 women 20 to 34 years old Per 1,000 women 35 to 50 years old GRANDPARENTS Number of grandparents living with own grandchildren under 18 years in households Responsible for grandchildren Years responsible for grandchildren: Less than 1 year 1 or 2 years 3 or 4 years 5 or more years

41

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

Population 16 to 64 years With a disability

579,750 75,118

166,076 29,360

13.0%

17.7%

Population 65 years and over With a disability

133,908 46,722

31,087 12,453

34.9%

40.0%

RESIDENCE 1 YEAR AGO Population 1 year and over Same house Different house in the U.S. Same county Different county Same state Different state Abroad

890,827 776,734 112,136 91,315 20,821 11,704 9,117 1,957

253,380 203,168 49,216 42,133 7,083 3,908 3,175 996

87.2%

80.2%

898,981 853,083 843,103 741,308 101,795

256,492 242,502 235,976 201,667 34,309

9,980

6,526

45,898

13,990

45,898 26,104 19,794

13,990 6,609 7,381

PLACE OF BIRTH Total population Native Born in United States State of residence Different state Born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s) Foreign born U.S. CITIZENSHIP STATUS Foreign-born population Naturalized U.S. citizen Not a U.S. citizen YEAR OF ENTRY Population born outside the United States

55,878

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

20,516

Native Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000

9,980 1,337 8,643

6,526 1,139 5,387

Foreign born Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000

45,898 9,895 36,003

13,990 4,501 9,489 42

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005 WORLD REGION OF BIRTH OF FOREIGN BORN Foreign-born population, excluding population born at sea Europe Asia Africa Oceania Latin America Northern America LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME Population 5 years and over English only Language other than English Speak English less than "very well" Spanish Speak English less than "very well" Other Indo-European languages Speak English less than "very well" Asian and Pacific Islander languages Speak English less than "very well" Other languages Speak English less than "very well" ANCESTRY Total population American Arab Czech Danish Dutch English French (except Basque) French Canadian German Greek Hungarian Irish Italian Lithuanian Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

45,898

N

18,235 16,056 3,020 0 4,373 4,214

N N N N N N

847,542 773,938 73,604 24,684 24,311 7,542 32,812 9,948 10,054 4,952 6,427 2,242

240,227 209,520 30,707 10,638 15,299 4,722 7,555 2,313 4,950 2,364 2,903 1,239

898,981 18,781 7,237 1,866 1,618 8,900 74,498 25,700 9,444 248,110 3,544 8,824 161,129 150,309 1,173 3,356 181,592 460 8,846

256,492 3,786 1,845 569 234 721 11,569 3,340 1,139 32,794 600 1,752 33,181 32,642 163 267 27,518 243 2,440

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

91.3%

87.2%

2.9%

6.4%

43

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005 Scotch-Irish Scottish Slovak Subsaharan African Swedish Swiss Ukrainian Welsh West Indian (excluding Hispanic origin groups)

Erie Cty

Bflo-City

8,705 14,806 1,053 6,644 6,603 2,077 8,344 5,079

1,776 2,125 146 5,259 1,409 0 1,931 268

2,085

1,097

Erie Cty Bflo City % %

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see Accuracy of the Data). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables. Notes: ·Ancestry listed in this table refers to the total number of people who responded with a particular ancestry; for example, the estimate given for Russian represents the number of people who listed Russian as either their first or second ancestry. This table lists only the largest ancestry groups; see the Detailed Tables for more categories. Race and Hispanic origin groups are not included in this table because official data for those groups come from the Race and Hispanic origin questions rather than the ancestry question (see Demographic Table). ·The Census Bureau introduced a new skip pattern for the disability questions in the 2003 ACS questionnaire. This change mainly affected two individual items -- go-outside-home disability and employment disability -- and the recode for disability status, which includes the two items. Accordingly, comparisons of data from 2003 or later with data from prior years are not recommended for the relevant questions. For more information, see the ACS Subject Definitions for Disability. ·Data for year of entry of the native population reflect the year of entry into the U.S. by people who were born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island Areas or born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent and who subsequently moved to the U.S. Explanation of Symbols: 1. An '*' entry in the margin of error column indicates that too few sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate. 2. An '**' entry in the margin of error column indicates that no sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate. 3. An '-' entry in the estimate column indicates that no sample observations were available to compute an estimate, or a ratio of medians cannot be calculated because one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution. 4. An '-' following a median estimate means the median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution. 5. An '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. 6. An '***' entry in the margin of error column indicates that the median falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution. A statistical test is not appropriate. 7. An '*****' entry in the margin of error column indicates that the estimate is controlled. A statistical test for sampling variability is not appropriate. 8. An 'N' entry in the estimate and margin of error columns indicates that data for this geographic area cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small. 9. An '(X)' means that the estimate is not applicable or not available.

44

The CAO’s Contribution to the Effort to Reduce/Eliminate the Cycles of Poverty in the Lives of Individuals, Families and Communities The Organizational Chart attached provides an overview of the many components of the CAO. The following provides a concise description of our services, reflecting the strategies we are employing to both meet individual and family immediate needs, and to help build long term self-sufficiency:

Administration: The agency’s Needs Analysis points to the need for a more technology efficient organization, able to process and retrieve more detailed and targeted information, enabling it to provide a larger platform upon which the community can rely for information and service access, while strengthening its ability to manage services and programs in dozens of remote sites. To achieve this objective the administration of the CAO has adopted these goals: *

Complete the construction of our interactive Web Site (www.caoec.org)

*

Continue to establish a public information radio program, linking partners and the CAO to the community (World of Community Action (W-CAN – TV, Time-Warner Cable Ch. 20; and W-CAN – Radio, WBLK-FM – 93.7)

*

Provide FBO’s and CBO’s Web Site media access to improve inter and intra-community communication, cooperation and coordination of advocacy and service efforts.

*

Establish collaborations and partnerships with educational, banking, mental health institutions and other agencies to provide needed resources.

*

Integration of the CAO’s Needs Analysis into its resource allocation decisions, resulting in better targeting of available resources to meet the most pressing needs of the lowincome community

45

I.

CAO Drug Abuse Research and Treatment Program (DART):

The Dart Program is a drug treatment facility for heroin and opiate addicted individuals. Patients are administered methadone, a narcotic agonist used as a chemotherapeutic intervention to block the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate dependence. Many patients will establish a maintenance level of methadone that enables clinical engagement directed at improving life areas negatively affected by addiction. Others will use this program as a starting point to establishing a completely drug-free life.

Trend Analysis: a. Our data that confirms the client currently accessing treatment is younger, more educated and residing outside of the city of Buffalo. b. "It is estimated that 70 percent of individuals in state prisons and local jails have abused drugs regularly, compared to approximately 9 percent of the general population. Studies show that treatment cuts drug abuse in half, reduces criminal activity up to 80 percent and reduces arrests up to 64 percent. However, fewer than one-fifth of these offenders receive treatment. Treatment not only lowers recidivism rates, it is also cost-effective. It is estimated that for every dollar spent on addiction treatment programs, there is a $4 to $7 reduction in the cost of drug-related crimes. With some outpatient programs, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12:1." (except from research recently completed by NIDA)

Challenges: Development -

Our need to continue building our on-site “one stop” service access, through better collaborations, especially regarding “wrap around” services available from other support agencies on our site that include health (HIV, pregnant population), mental health, employment, education, legal (through our affiliation with the city of Buffalo Drug Court Program).

Obstacles -

The significant increase in uninsured population, the significant time and expense now allocated to establish and maintain Medicaid and public assistance benefits for our eligible clients, treatment access (in spite of our and Sisters recent expansion eligible clients often must wait to access care), facility limitation that precludes further expansion.

46

Scale of Services -

In 2002 the DART clinic received authorization from OASAS to expand our license capacity from 300 to 330 clients. We are also exploring the opportunity to add an OASAS approved office-based model (Suboxone) to our service delivery platform.

Successful collaborations: Since 2003 DART has established and maintained the following collaborations. The specific services are provided in parenthesis: Gold Choice (primary care for Medicaid eligible clients) Jewish Family Services (outpatient mental health treatment) Horizon Village (long-term inpatient chemical dependency treatment) Horizon Human Services (vocational/educational assessment and referral) Benedict House (residential care for HIV/AIDS clients) Bry-Lin Hospital (inpatient mental health and chemical dependency treatment) Lakeshore Behavioral Health (in and outpatient MICA treatment) Clearview Treatment Program (inpatient chemical dependency treatment) Lighthouse Women’s Residence (residential care for pregnant clients) Buffalo Perinatal Task Force (care coordination for pregnant/HIV clients)

Description of needs: Care coordination involvement to assist with Medicaid and ancillary treatment needs, increase treatment capacity, expand wrap around “one stop” treatment model.

FOCUS: DRUG TREATMENT Methadone clinics seeing more addicts hooked on prescription painkillers Users coming from more suburban, affluent lives By NANCY A. FISCHER NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU 7/8/2006 Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News

"Intravenous heroin drug use scares off young, suburban, high school and early college students, but taking medication by mouth, or a patch on a shoulder is a more attractive gateway." Ken Bossert, Director of the Drug Abuse Research and Treatment program

47

Prescription painkillers have become the new heroin and are putting a different face on clients at methadone clinics in the Buffalo Niagara region and across the country. Yes, there are still grimy and gritty burnouts, in their 20s or 30s with needle-marked arms and sunken eyes. But they have been joined by new addicts of varying ages hooked on Oxycontin, hydrocodone and other prescription drugs - addicts who "look like your neighbor" or a relative, said Dr. Komal Chandan, a physician in the Niagara Falls methadone clinic. Painkilling medications - either legally prescribed or pilfered from the family medicine cabinet have proven the gateway to drug abuse. Sometimes, the addiction has led to heroin, which is generally cheaper to abuse, Chandan and others said. But sometimes, an addiction to Oxycontin, Loritabs or Fentanyl alone is enough to steer abusers toward methadone. "You can't put a poverty face on this drug culture," said Niagara County Coroner James Joyce, who has been called in to six deaths from misuse of Fentanyl patches during the last year in Niagara Falls. "It's not just an inner-city problem anymore," Joyce said. "Drugs are in affluent society, in rural areas and in schools. Kids sell and trade painkillers like candy. They don't carry the dangerous stigma. But they all do the same thing and all kill the same way if they are abused. "Painkillers are great for people who need them, but those who don't need them are toying with death." A growing number of those abusing painkillers are turning to methadone clinics for help: • In 1993, there were 750 methadone programs nationwide, treating 125,000 patients. Last year, there were 1,150 programs and 240,000 patients, said Mark Parrino, founder and president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence in New York City. • The Drug Abuse Research and Treatment, or DART, program, on Main Street in Buffalo, started 13 years ago with 120 clients. It expanded three years ago and now has slots for 330 clients. • Niagara County's methadone clinic in the Falls started with 50 patients in 1984 and now has 85. • A national study conducted last year showed that 40 percent of methadone clinic patients were seeking treatment because of prescription painkillers. Erie County has two methadone clinics run by Sisters Hospital in Central Park Plaza and on Niagara Street. A drug treatment program also is offered at Erie County Medical Center. Charles Lewis/Buffalo News While heroin addiction still brings in the majority of clients, Clinics in Erie and Niagara counties these clinics see a growing percentage of clients addicted provide doses of methadone to only to prescription painkillers. addicts. "Five years ago, we might see two or three [such] patients a 48

month. Now we are seeing two to three patients a day in both the inpatient and outpatient programs," said Dr. Robert Whitney, clinical director of the ECMC Division of Chemical Dependency. The center runs three outpatient programs and two inpatient programs across Erie County. Whitney said 20 percent of patients are addicted only to legal medications they are abusing. In Niagara Falls, one of the methadone program's youngest clients looks more like a cheerleader than a drug addict. She is 20 and is attending college, and she agreed to talk with The News on the condition that her name not be used in order to protect future job and school prospects. She hopes someday to help others as a counselor or social worker. She said she started using prescription pills in her teens at a party. "Then one day I woke up and I was addicted. I knew so little about drug addiction. I didn't want pain pills, I needed them." She said her pill addiction led to heroin because it was cheaper and easier to get. "The first time I tried hydrocodone I got sick, but then I tried Oxycontin," she said, referring to a time-release version of oxycodone from which users strip the coating. "That's what really got me into opiates. People would sniff them. I would only do a little bit. They made me feel relaxed and mellow when I was stressed. It would be a relief for me. My problems would go away. "Once people started getting hooked, people were selling pain pills for $20 to $40 apiece on the street," she said. "You need a least one or two a day just to not go through withdrawals. I needed [the drugs] to function, to go to work, just to get up each day." Methadone treatment has gotten a bad image because of some poorly run centers in large cities, said Robert Spuller, the former longtime manager of Niagara County's methadone clinic. But he noted that since 2000, the federal government has required accreditation of all centers. "There is a stigma attached to methadone treatment," said Spuller, who in May became project manager for Niagara County Crisis Services. "It is looked at as a negative high, and people are still looked at as addicted. We want to turn that stigma around. This is a medication. We are starting to view opiate addiction as a medical problem, like cancer or heart disease." Methadone not only stops withdrawal symptoms, but also blocks the high that most addicts seek from narcotics. The doctor-prescribed treatment is administered as a liquid in a small cup. Spuller said the demographics of the Falls' treatment center reflects the population of Niagara County, cutting across all age groups. Eighty-five percent of the clients are white, 10 percent are black and 5 percent are Hispanic or Native American. Chandan, the physician, said all opiates, from prescription painkillers to heroin, have a similar effect on the body. "They attach to opiate receptors in the brain. That's how all narcotics work. If people use pain medications on a long-term basis, the previous amount stops working and 49

they need more and more pills," Chandan said. "The methadone blocks those receptors. Our first goal is to get them off the opiates." It isn't always easy. By the time addicts get into treatment, they often have fallen hard. Those who tend to get hooked on painkillers are most often in their late 30s to 50s, white, female, employed and involved with their families, said Ken Bossert, director of DART. "They're not seeing a drug pusher, but someone in a nice office with a white coat," Bossert said. "It is difficult to see the negative pattern, and they are reluctant to tell us why they are on their fifth doctor." In the last five years, Bossert said, there has been an "explosion" of pain management drugs as the drug of choice. Along with the middle-aged addicts are young people. "Mom and Dad's medicine cabinet is like the liquor cabinet of the past," Bossert said. "Intravenous heroin use scares off young suburban, high school and early college students, but taking medication by mouth, or a patch on a shoulder, is a more attractive gateway. . . "We've seen 16- and 17-year-olds with a five- to seven-year history of opiate use," he said. He called the current youth drug problem in Erie County "chemical Russian roulette." Whitney, the ECMC director, said parents need to lock up prescription painkillers and local drug enforcement agencies need to find out how the drugs are coming into high schools. "Everyone is struggling" to end the addiction, he said, "but until we figure out some kind of prevention, I'm very worried that this will continue to escalate." NIDA's Home Page: http://www.drugabuse.gov/

Crack and Cocaine Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug of abuse. Once having tried cocaine, an individual cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug. The major routes of administration of cocaine are sniffing or snorting, injecting, and smoking (including free-base and crack cocaine). Snorting is the process of inhaling cocaine powder through the nose where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. Injecting is the act of using a needle to release the drug directly into the bloodstream. Smoking involves inhaling cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs where absorption into the bloodstream is as rapid as by injection. "Crack" is the street name given to cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking. Rather than requiring the more volatile method of processing cocaine using ether, crack cocaine is processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride, thus producing a form of cocaine that can be smoked. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when the mixture is smoked (heated), presumably from the sodium bicarbonate. 50

There is great risk whether cocaine is ingested by inhalation (snorting), injection, or smoking. It appears that compulsive cocaine use may develop even more rapidly if the substance is smoked rather than snorted. Smoking allows extremely high doses of cocaine to reach the brain very quickly and brings an intense and immediate high. The injecting drug user is at risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection/AIDS if needles or other injection equipment are shared.

Health Hazards of Cocaine Abuse Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is released as part of the brain's reward system and is involved in the high that characterizes cocaine consumption. Physical effects of cocaine use include constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The duration of cocaine's immediate euphoric effects, which include hyper-stimulation, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity, depends on the route of administration. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. On the other hand, the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increased use can reduce the period of stimulation. Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. An appreciable tolerance to the high may be developed, and many addicts report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure. Scientific evidence suggests that the powerful neuropsychologic reinforcing property of cocaine is responsible for an individual's continued use, despite harmful physical and social consequences. In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. However, there is no way to determine who is prone to sudden death. High doses of cocaine and/or prolonged use can trigger paranoia. Smoking crack cocaine can produce a particularly aggressive paranoid behavior in users. When addicted individuals stop using cocaine, they often become depressed. This also may lead to further cocaine use to alleviate depression. Prolonged cocaine snorting can result in ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose and can damage the nasal septum enough to cause it to collapse. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.

Added Danger: Cocaethylene When people mix cocaine and alcohol consumption, they are compounding the danger each drug poses and unknowingly forming a complex chemical experiment within their bodies. NIDA-funded researchers have found that the human liver combines cocaine and alcohol and 51

manufactures a third substance, cocaethylene, that intensifies cocaine's euphoric effects, while possibly increasing the risk of sudden death.

Treatment The widespread abuse of cocaine has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment programs for this type of drug abuse. NIDA's top research priority is to find a medication to block or greatly reduce the effects of cocaine, to be used as one part of a comprehensive treatment program. NIDA-funded researchers are also looking at medications that help alleviate the severe craving that people in treatment for cocaine addiction often experience. Several medications are currently being investigated to test their safety and efficacy in treating cocaine addiction. In addition to treatment medications, behavioral interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, can be effective in decreasing drug use by patients in treatment for cocaine abuse. Providing the optimal combination of treatment services for each individual is critical to successful treatment outcome.

Extent of Use Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)* The MTF assesses the extent of drug use among adolescents and young adults across the country. The proportion of high school seniors who have used cocaine at least once in their lifetimes has increased from a low of 5.9 percent in 1994 to 9.8 percent in 1999. However, this is lower than its peak of 17.3 percent in 1985. Current (past month) use of cocaine by seniors decreased from a high of 6.7 percent in 1985 to 2.6 percent in 1999. Also in 1999, 7.7 percent of 10th-graders had tried cocaine at least once, up from a low of 3.3 percent in 1992. The percentage of 8th-graders who had ever tried cocaine has increased from a low of 2.3 percent in 1991 to 4.7 percent in 1999. Of college students 1 to 4 years beyond high school, in 1995, 3.6 percent had used cocaine within the past year, and 0.7 percent had used cocaine in the past month.

Cocaine Use by Students, 1999: Monitoring the Future Study 8th-Graders 10th-Graders 12th-Graders Ever Used Used in Past Year Used in Past Month

8th 4.7% 2.7 1.3

9th 7.7% 4.9 1.8

10th 9.8% 6.2 2.6

Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG)** 52

II. Early Childhood Services Department Head Start/Early Head Start: The CAO/Head Start Program provides high quality, comprehensive services to income eligible families with children ages birth through five though innovative technology, qualified staff and community partnerships in an environment that is supportive, safe and accessible to all. We are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Community Services Administration for Children and Families, and we operate under license by the New York State Office of Children and Families. Our Head Start program quite possibly has the most engaged process of parent involvement in the development and governance of our program of any Head Start program in New York State. Through local Area Advisory Councils and our Overall Planning Council (OPC), our Head Start program has been able to continually refine its model and strategic initiatives with a clear parent and child focus. Our Head Start and Early Head Start Programs collectively served 2,483 children during this past year. 900 of those children received their required pre-school immunizations during this period, and continue to receive followup services. Our Head Start Program is, more than anything else, a family services program. We seek to provide children with high self-expectations by helping to build higher quality of life for the families they are in. this past year, 2, 583 birth parents and other family members of Head Start children were provided comprehensive parent involvement, health, mental health, nutrition and social services. Head Start, under our Early Childhood Services Administration, utilizes several large collaborations to achieve our goal of improving the lives and educational outcomes of lowincome children and families. One of our collaborations involves mainstreaming children with learning disabilities, developmental delays and physically handicapping conditions with our regular Head Start classrooms and vice versa. This allows our children to learn a sense of normalcy when they are around children with visible differences from children they might normally play and attend school with. This helps our children to grow with a more balanced and mutually accepting instinct when they encounter people with a wide variety of capabilities and circumstances. Of the families we served this year, 688 have children with disabilities. More than 400 children, being served by providers to children with disabilities, were mainstreamed with our Head Start children this year. 53

Additionally, our Early Childhood Services Department won a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), called Building Mentally Healthy Communities (BMHC). This grant enables us to teach parents and teachers a developmentally sound system for working with children whom are difficult to obtain behavior compliance from. The curriculum that teaches these skills and techniques is called “Incredible Years”, is taught to practitioners working directly with children and to the children’s parents. We are working on a collaboration with the Department of Social Services to extend this training to parents who are the subject of child abuse allegations that involve anger management in their engagement with their children. Additionally, 12 more of our Head Start and Early Childhood Services staff have become credentialed as Certified Family Development Workers.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION & TRENDS WITHIN CAO HEAD START OF ERIE COUNTY, INCLUDING OUR TWO DELEGATE PROGRAMS (Information gathered from the 2006 Monthly Reports, Community Needs Assessments, and PIR)

Head Start / Early Head Start serviced 2567 children / 2535 families for the 05-06 school year. All of the following is based on 2018 families and 2103 children from June 2006. SINGLE HOUSEHOLDS - 1481 Employed – 914 High school not completed - 168 High school/GED - 218 College: Associates Degree - 87 Bachelor’s Degree – 39 2 PARENT HOUSEHOLDS (INCLUDING FOSTER) – 622 Both parents employed – 251 1 parent employed – 201 Neither employed – 170 Highest education level in family: 170 high school not completed 378 High School/GED 52 Associates Degree 36 Bachelor’s Degree 29 Master’s Degree IMMUNIZATIONS CURRENT OR ON IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE – 2103 MEDICAL HOME – 2092 INSURED – 2096 (This includes private and Medicaid.)

54

Our Community Needs Assessment completed by our parents tells us: TRANSPORTATION SHOPPING / NUTRITION JOBS/ECONOMY CRIME HEALTH EDUCATION HOUSING EARLY YEARS(daycare) FAMILIES

-

76% 81% 49% 33% 63% 72% 44% 39% 62%

are are are are are are are are are

satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied

Our Monthly Reports tell us that from September to June: PARENT WORKING INCREASED FROM 63% TO 65% PARENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL HAS DECREASED FROM 13% TO 11% PARENTS RECEIVING TANF HAS INCREASED FROM 21% TO 22% PARENTS OWNING HOMES INCREASED FROM 16% TO 25% PARENTS WITHIN INCOME GUIDELINES DECREASED FROM 92% TO 90%

TRENDS IN THE SOUTHTOWNS OF ERIE COUNTY Specifically for: City of Lackawanna, Village of Blasdell, Town of Evan, Village of Gowanda, Town of Holland, Village of Springville

POPULATION TRENDS The Southtowns are by far more populated by Caucasians. African Americans are represented throughout the Southtowns with Lackawanna having by far the highest percentage of African Americans. Latinos are more represented than African-Americans in Blasdell, Evans and Springville. American Indians are more represented than African-Americans in Gowanda and Evans. Asian and other races are sparsely represented throughout the Southtowns. Children under the age of 5 are represented throughout the Southtowns and of the total population in the Southtowns, the highest percentage of children under 5 are in Lackawanna, Evans and Gowanda. More females than males are represented throughout the Southtowns. Persons 65 and older represent about I out of 5 people of the total population throughout the Southtowns except for Evans where the number is 1 out of 7. Of the total occupied housing units in the Southtowns the number of owners and renters is more equal in Lackawanna and Blasdell.

55

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS Throughout the Southtowns fewer people have attained a college degree than have received a high school diploma or some college education. The general trend is 1 out of 5 or 6 persons of the total population has a college degree. Blasdell, Lackawanna and Holland show the highest rates for high school graduates compared to college graduates. Throughout the Southtowns there is a very high percentage of females 15 years and older who are married but separated. Throughout the Southtowns 1 out of 38 people, 5 years and over of the total population, speak a language other than English at home with the exception of Evans where the number is noticeably lower, 1 out of 23.

ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS Throughout the Southtowns of the population 16 years and older, 1 out of 2 are employed. Employment is highest for trade (wholesale and retail), services, and manufacturing. Also represented is government, agriculture, and construction. Poverty exists throughout the Southtowns with the highest number of families below the poverty line existing in Lackawanna, Blasdell and Gowanda. Throughout the Southtowns there is a large range for median family income with the lowest in Gowanda and Lackawanna at $39,000 to the highest in Holland at $55,000. Information Provided by Christine Ellington Rowe, Program Manager, and Susanne Sharpe, Resource Specialist

III.

Housing

The Mission of the New Venture Housing Program is to provide decen t, safe and affordable housing to poor and low-income persons and families in Erie County. Through our collaboration with the FLARE, Inc., the CAO is working to stabilize and revitalize the residential community surrounding the new Central Park Plaza. The CAO – FLARE Community Housing Assistance Program assists low-income home owners in accessing low-cost and no-cost home improvement loans, and grants to remove lead and asbestos hazards, and make needed home improvements. The CAO Transitional and low-income housing program provides quality housing opportunities to low-income persons seeking alternatives to sub-standard rental housing. With effective support services in place families, can eventually become homeowners through their participation in the First Time Home Owners Education and Mortgage Assistance Program. At present our New Venture Rental Housing Program has 32 family rental units of Housing in the 56

City of Buffalo and one single room occupancy home with four units in Buffalo. New Venture Housing also operates an Emergency Housing Facility in Lackawanna with a 6-bed capacity. The CAO Emergency Shelter Program can assist, when funds are available, low-income families and individuals facing a housing crisis. Income eligible persons can receive an interest free loan to be used to avoid eviction, foreclosure, or to apply toward a security deposit if they are homeless. For the year 2003-2004 the CAO Housing Program received $90,000.00 from the Emergency Shelter Grants Program. A total of 1,842 persons were assisted with funds to either: Prevent eviction; Relocate if homeless; Restore a utility; Prevent a shut-off; or Provide vouchers for household necessities.

Trends (profiled from needs indicated by both phone inquiries and walk-ins): The largest proportion of calls or walk in service requests indicates a staggering need for funding to assist with utility payments. The increased costs of fuel and electricity have had an enormous effect on the ability for individuals and families to support the cost associated with rent/mortgage and their capacity to pay utility bills. This cause and effect, eventually leads to the untenable decision on whether to pay utilities or to make rental or mortgage payments, (either, when not both, often leads to homelessness). The lack of employment or the lack of adequate skills to maintain employment also increase the inability to make rental/mortgage payments, although the greatest amount of need seems to be with those seeking to avoid eviction there has been a noticeable increase in those seeking assistance to prevent foreclosure. Many indicate layoffs, personal injury, unemployment or sickness as the catalyst that leading to potential foreclosure or eviction. Although Erie County has many agencies that provide assistance there are few that have the needed resources for us to make a referral. Local agencies generally apply for FEMA as does the CAO, funding is divided up between agencies. However, we have found that making referrals to other agencies once our money has been depleted is often not an option. Each agency in the system is allowed to use their allocation in a manner that fits that agency’s priorities. Thus, for example, if the City Mission receives a grant, they have the option to use the money for their clients only, while other agencies may increase eligibility requirements to fit their program goals. We have encountered an increase in the number of children, i.e. persons under 18, who have been “kicked out” of their home or have left by their on volition, and are desperately looking for affordable housing. Unfortunately we have not found any option for them except to refer them to DSS or Central Referral Services. Those females with children, or who are expecting a child who have either called or stopped in our office, were referred to WHRD or Central Referral.

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The lack of decent affordable housing is always a hindrance when looking for a home, Judge Nowak’s receivership program while specifically designed to attack housing code violations certainly helps to alleviate the city’s neglected housing stock in a manner which provides initiative to owners to provide habitable accommodations to their tenants. Many calls or requests come from those homeowners seeking assistance to make repairs to their homes whether by way of housing court, desire or need. Generally those seeking that type of assistance are referred to Belmont which now regulates the use of HUD funds/loans for Buffalo. Normally those who do call seeking assistance reflect the need for “Grants”. Many are seniors who live on a fixed income and or have limited resources to make repairs. There is no remaining resource for such grants we are aware of. We have attempted to utilize the Reverse Mortgage process to assist seniors who have indicated a need for making repairs but have not had any who found that option viable. Most of the seniors we see have homes with values so low that the reverse mortgage option does not provide them with the help they need.

IV. Neighborhood Services Department Neighborhood Services is, of course, the central lifeblood of the CAO. Our primary, overriding mission is to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficie ncy, and to help low-income communities achieve a higher quality of life and become free of the effects of cyclical or generational poverty. Neighborhood Services is the route by which the largest number of citizens in our communities become aware of and access the network of CAO services. Each year Neighborhood Services seeks to build on its mission, to improve the quality of life in low income communities, to empower community residents to seek and achieve solutions in the control of their own neighborhoods that reduce crime, blight, substance abuse, educational under development, economic disinvestment and stress. The CAO Neighborhood Services Department is a key in our efforts to launch a Community Health and Wellness Campaign. Our goal is to reduce or eliminate avoidable home and neighborhood environmental hazards, and to reduce or eliminate self-inflicted life and health threatening behaviors through increased awareness and community-based education. A key product of communities working together internally and in collaboration with others is reflected in the CAO’s participation in this year’s National Night Out. Hundreds of volunteers and residents provided an example of people in communities working together to implement the CAO Neighborhood Services Department’s Project Safe Summer. Participants, brought together through our Neighborhood Advisory Councils, Neighborhood Service Centers and our network of participating block clubs and neighborhood organizations, came together to kick off a campaign to reduce or eliminate violence in our communities. 58

The CAO NSD United Neighborhoods Program is working to mount a Communities for Families Initiative centered around “Community Action Teams”. The CAO will be training volunteers, recruited through Block Clubs, Welfare to Work participants, Americorps/VISTA Volunteers, Church and other neighborhood associations to help us develop and implement neighborhood voluntary child supervision networks, neighborhood blight control and monitoring efforts, neighborhood environmental protection educators and alert systems, neighborhood health and wellness educators, and enhanced neighborhood crime prevention networks. The CAO will also be working through the neighborhood associations to help stimulate the formation and growth of localized Chambers of Commerce, focused on the needs of specific communities. The CAO Neighborhood Services Department has also worked with the MADDADS organization to launch a “Miracle House” initiative at 427 Wohlers to provide a community based site to work with adolescents and older youth to help them get recentered and on track to achieve the goals and ideals that are possible in America. The Table above provides a concise description of the diversity of services and outcomes we achieve through our Neighborhood Services Department.

Department Services and Initiatives Citizen Participation United Neighborhoods Block Club Incubator:

• CAO/NSD will provide technical assistance and resources to increase the capacity of Block Club leaders. • CAO/NSD will host a Community Safety Initiative that will provide community leaders with training in Disaster Preparedness, Identity Theft Prevention, Gang Awareness, Abduction Prevention and Neighborhood Watch.

Fruitbelt Eldercare Information & Transportation Center:

• CAO Staff will research and gather information to develop an information bank which will contain resources that are available to the Elderly in the community. Staff will provide this information and assist customers with any processes required to receive available resources. • CAO Staff will provide transportation for the elderly to attend doctor appointments, purchase food, take care of business, health and/or financial matters.

Emergency Food Pantry:

• The CAO will operate an Emergency Food Pantry at 70 Harvard Place to assist Individuals and Families from going hungry. The Pantry will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The pantry will be open on Wednesdays for emergency needs only. • Three CAO/NSD Sites will provide the community with a Food Shuttle Program that 59

consists of donated perishable food items from the Food Bank and from local grocery stores. Volunteers will help run the Food Shuttle Programs.

Basic Adult Education Program GED Preparation Classes:

• A Certified Board of Education Teacher will instruct adults enrolled in Basic Adult Education Class.

• A Certified Board of Education Teacher will prepare adults enrolled in GED Preparation Class to successfully pass GED Exam.

Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) Program:

• CAO/NSD Staff will educate low-income residents about the VITA Program and will prepare taxes free of charge.

CAO NSD South Towns Youth Café:

• YOUTH CAFE An after school recreational/lounge area and computer room has been provided for the Evans community youth. CAO staff support and participation of community volunteers will be sought. Volunteers assist staff with supervision and special events. Volunteers assist the youth with computers and homework.

First Time Homebuyers Club:

• Establish a partnership with M&T Bank to provide low-income first time homeowners with matching funds savings program. • Provide low income first time homeowners with 34 hours of training in budgeting, credit repair, available resources, purchasing process, etc. • Assist participants in establishing Action Plan to include selecting a realtor to identify available housing, price and purchase options (I.E. grants, loans).

Staff Development:

• Computer web based E-Client Tracking System will be utilized by all NSD Staff to improve the skill level of internal and external communication. • As part of their orientation through the department, staff will receive training on software, peripheral equipment set-up and their use for giving presentations in the community.

Digital Village:

• The CAO NSD will develop and implement an on-line Community Network targeted to assist the digitally under-served communities of Buffalo and Erie County.

Pratt Willert Community Center: 60

• The CAO/NSD Pratt - Willard Community Center will provide seniors and youth in the Ellicott district with a centralized location for educational, recreational and social activities, programs and services.

Edward Saunders Community Center:

• The CAO/NSD Edward Saunders Community Center will provide seniors and youth in the Ellicott district with a centralized location for educational, recreational and social activities, programs and services.

Neighborhood Advisory Councils:

• Citizen leaders representing low income neighborhoods will be organizing to participate in Neighborhood Advisory Councils. These councils aim to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to increase neighbor participation in advocating for safe, healthy and informed communities. All stakeholders will be actively involved in the process (board members, customers, community partners and staff). • An Assessment of Needs will be done in concert with an identification of gaps in service. NAC meetings will be held to solicit input from as much of the community and its partners as possible. The board and staff will be integral parts of the process.

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V. Youth and Family Services Development Department Department Overview: Under the direction of LaTonya Diggs (MSW), the Youth and Family Services Department has served 228 pre-school aged children, 460 school-aged youth and over 130 families and community members (i.e., single adults, parents, community caregivers and teachers) combined. This department’s programming consists of programs that support the academic, social and emotional development of pre-school to school-aged children along with families. Our programs are composed of two main components: (1) Youth Development Services (i.e., N.U.R.T.U.R.E. Academy (Neighborhoods United for Restoration Teaching, Upliftment, Recreation and Education), Supplemental Educational Services (S.E.S.), 21st Century Community Learning Center, Rites of Passage (ROP), Education Task Force, and (2) Family Services (i.e., Parents Forever Program, Building Mentally Healthy Communities (BMHC), Second Chance, and Word Start Facilitator). The Youth Development programs focus on pre-school and school aged youth working with students who primarily attend schools that are performing low academically. We provide our school aged youth with comprehensive after school support designed to improve their reading and math skills. During the school day we assist classroom teachers with hands on techniques to build pre-school children’s social and emotional proficiencies. Character, moral, and selfesteem development are encompassed in the service provided to our youth helping to prepare them for academic success as they strive towards higher endeavors. Family Service programs focus on providing families with support, appropriate tools and strategies to foster positive social-emotional interactions and connectedness. The parent/caregiver programming we offer is strength/evidence-based, designed to help families build nurturing relationships and reduce stressors. Free parent trainings provide families and community caregivers with an increase in parental confidence and skills.

Target Populations: The department serves preschool aged children (3-5), school aged children (6-17), their families and primary/secondary caregivers, childcare providers, and teachers of Preschool/primary School aged children. Our goal of providing quality after school program aims to serve youth who are reading/attending schools performing below grade level, have the potential to be involved with gangs and or are involved with criminal peers. In 2005, the YDP/Youth and family Service department here at CAO served over 800 youth and families, the majority of youth being ages 12-17 (417). Approximately 75% of youth and families served were African American, 20% Hispanic or Latin and 5% other/Multi Race. 63

Problem/Need: Over the years we have journeyed with youth and families as some have transitioned from childhood to adolescents and others from adolescent to adulthood. Research shows that the span of life ranging from childhood to adulthood is a critical period of development. Here is where an individual develops competence and achievement, self-definition and creative expression. Young adolescents thrive from physical activities, positive interactions with peers and adults, structure and clear limits, and meaningful participation in authentic work (Dorman, 1985). Thus, the continued need for after school programs/“out-of-school time programs” is critical for those families who are socioeconomicly disadvantaged. With the number of unsupervised adolescents being 37% more likely to become teen parents (US Department of education, 2002), after school programs are essential. To this end, we understand that “quality youth development programs can cut crime immediately and transform this prime time for juvenile crime into hours of academic enrichment, whole some fun, and community services. They protect both kids and adults from becoming victims of crime, and cut teen pregnancy, smoking, and drug use while they help youngsters develop the values and skills they need to become contributing citizens” (Fox, Flynn, Newman, & Christeson, 2003) Implementing evidence based parent training programs have shown an increase in parent-child interactions, parental confidence, parenting skill, and pro-social behaviors displayed by children, as well as a reduction in negative behaviors. The goal of these kinds of programs is to help parents and caregivers to become responsible, supportive, and competent and to allow children the opportunity to learn appropriate social-emotional conduct so they have the skills required to become successful, independent, and accomplished young men and women. The risk factors that impoverished families in Erie County face often prevent them from engaging in their children’s day-to-day activities and becoming self-sufficient, empowered parents and caregivers. For families we serve who are in need of supervised visits in Erie County, we provide a safe and conflict-free environment to re-connect with their non-custodial parent or parents. In collaboration with the County of Erie, we also focus our effort on providing the families with the resources needed to have a positive and successful relationship by offering parent education geared toward child-rearing, family systems, and conflict management. Broken families often need support in re-connecting with family members and establishing positive relationships with their children. The CAO / Parents Forever Program will provide opportunities for parents who have had their parental rights revoked to visit with their children under the observance of visitation monitors. Providing families with necessary tools, such as structured activities and safe, age-appropriate, and child-friendly spaces, will encourage successful engagement and parent-child connectedness. The goal of the CAO / Parents Forever Program is to help eliminate those factors, events, and/or behaviors that have resulted in the need of supervised visitations and to provide parents the 64

chance to build a nurturing relationship with their child/children. By reducing some of the stressors in the parents and children’s lives, children will have the chance to experience positive relationships not only with their parents, but also with other individuals who will influence and impact their lives. They will have the chance to achieve lifetime goals, such as a decent education, a successful and lucrative career, and psychological stability. With these accomplishments, the likelihood of the negative pattern of impoverishment and family discord will significantly be reduced.

The Future: The YDP/NURTURE Department is looking forward to offering Youth and their families programs that strengthen them academically, social and emotionally. With an increases in crime, 60% of urban youth not graduating from high school, 40% of readers, reading at a 4th grade level, 50% of all Americans over 65 are functionally illiterate while only 30% of 4th graders are proficient readers, 26%proficient in math, 18% proficient in history and the USA ranks significantly lower than other nations in science and math achievement (Best, 1994). The need for programs such as Community Action Organization Youth and Family Service are extremely vital to helping the citizens of Erie County. Without having financial stability and the support from officials whose primary focus are education, environmental consciousness, and economic development; we cut in half the people we are able to serve. It has been said that young people are our Nations most valuable resource, if we continue to invest, push, develop and believe whole heartedly in them, we are on our way to creating a long term change that will charge this valuable community. By focusing on the strengths of families, current situations, and future goals, the our programming has successfully contributed to helping families become self-reliant and knowledgeable of children’s needs and will continue to provide the support necessary to endure strong family relations.

Services Description: A.

Building Mentally Healthy Communities (BMHC):

Developed to address the mental health and behavioral concerns of children by providing well executed preventive interventions to foster the healthy development of children and families. * Parents and caregivers of children 0-5 are provided with a skill building evidence based training to assist adults in reducing aggressive behaviors in children in the classroom and home and help adults become more effective caregivers. * Children are provided with an evidence based social and emotional curriculum reducing violent aggressive and non-compliant behaviors in the classroom preparing them developmentally for kindergarten. * Partnerships among supporters and providers of services to low-income people are achieved.

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B.

Education Task Force:

The Youth Development sponsors and convenes an Education Task Force comprised of education professionals from primarily post-secondary institutions and some secondary institutions in the Erie County area. The Task Force, staffed by the CAO Youth Department, conducts a: • College Day Fair to provide students with information on educational opportunities and financial resources • Financial Aid Fair to inform students and parents of documentation and applications necessary to receive financial assistance for college • Scholarship Award Program from grants provided by the nearly 120 Colleges and five (5) banks who participate in these initiatives

C.

Supplemental Educational Services Program:

• In an effort to improve the educational achievement levels of students attending under performing schools,. The CAO Youth Department will provide individualized, computerassisted course tutoring and basic skills improvement in reading, writing, math, and reading speed.

D. N.U.R.T.U.R.E. Academy (Neighborhoods United Teaching, Upliftment, ,Recreation and Education):

for

Restoration,

The CAO Youth Department provides a community-based “Academy” focused on assisting students in attaining, maintaining and exceeding grade level performance in all academic areas through: • homework help and tutorial services • computer literacy development • applying their reading, writing and vocabulary skills in ways that develop utilization skill and mastery, including Reading Clubs, Debate Clubs, and Culture Clubs • developing youth’s social, and citizenship values • developing youth’s understanding of culture and its role in shaping values, beliefs, expectations and behavior norms • drug abuse avoidance and pregnancy and unwed sex avoidance education

E.

Summer Program:

• The CAO will operate summer programs at least three sites with the goal of maintaining and improving students’ academic achievement levels, sustaining and improving their social values and personal deportment gains from the just completed school year, and improving their cultural competencies through cultural enrichment activities 66

F.

G.

H.

G.

Suspended Student Day Reporting Program:

• Youth & Family Services provides a counseling, alternative education setting and family crisis services program for students, who have been suspended from school, and their families. Housed at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, this program provides a Public School District –certified Home Instructor, working with up to 10 students at one time in a computer lab setting. It provides individualized instruction using the PLATO Internet supported learning system, which encompasses every course registered in New UYork State. It permits instructors to sustain students’ instruction in their current curriculum, while working on the issues provoking the student’s suspension, and developing a school re-entry plan acceptable to all parties concerned. • The CAO has financed this initiative from its Community Services Block Grant, with no funding from the Buffalo District. Its scale of services is limited by the funding available

Second Chance Program:

• The Second Chance Program provides First Time Offenders an alternative to incarceration. • The program provides case management, court advocacy, counseling, educational services, personal referrals, and Social Services (TANF) assistance. It also provides school and home visits, group home detention and jail visitations, and conducts developmental workshops

21st Century Schools:

• In an effort to improve the educational achievement levels of students attending under performing schools, the CAO Youth Department is collaborating with Public School #44 in the Buffalo District to create a community technology center at PS# 44, and to provide both an in-school and an after-school computer based academic skills strengthening program for low-income, under-achieving youth using PLATO and Merit Academic Achievement Software.

Parents Forever Supervised Home Visitation Program:

• The proposed supervised visitation program allows non-custodial parents and children to maintain continuity in their parent-child relationships, in an environment that assures the safety of the child or children while avoiding potential volatility between the visiting parent and custodial foster parents, or the visiting parent and the custodial birth parent. The program provides a highly structured and supervised environment while also providing a natural setting for parent and child interaction, including a large room equipped with chairs, sofa, television, games, books, and toddler playpen. Parents of older children, where deemed appropriate after consultation with the primary caseworker, may also engage in recreation centered relationship building through use of the facility’s gym (where applicable) and computer room. This model allows for a variety of parent – child interactions through which positive relationship formation and continuity can be 67

built. The Supervised Visitation Program will be supported by parents’ ability to participate in two courses of instruction of 12 hours each, taken 2 hours per week each over a six week period, and which include Child Rearing Education, and Managing Difficult Relationships. The goal of these two courses, provided through the CAO’s Parents Forever Program, is to reduce incidents of child abuse and/or neglect by providing parents with a cognitive understanding of child development using the developmental stage theorems of Piaget and Erickson; and to help parents develop a better perspective, built around the well being and needs of their children, on handling relationships in which separated parents must now deal with their former partners’ new relationships that often involve children from those separate relationships.

Additional Services through CAO Sub-Grants to Delegates 1.

Child & Family Services Reach Out Program: • Reach Out will serve as a field placement for students, ECDSS – HITE, CWEP, and TEAP programs, Greater Buffalo Works Program, and the Buffalo Employment & Training Program. Student interns will come from Buffalo State College, and UB. • Partnering with area elementary and secondary schools, Reach Out will conduct Parent involvement groups, provide at-home visits to youth in the Liberty Partnership Program; will distribute food bags, provide life skills training, budgeting and food preparation education, transportation for the elderly and or disabled to medical, social, dental and recreational programs, individual and family case management, job and emergency services assistance, community partnership formation.

2.

Catholic Charities Family Counseling Center: • The Family Counseling Center provides emergency crisis intervention services for clothing, food, shelter, physical health, mental health, and/or safety needs caused by inadequate income, physical, sexual, spousal, suicidal ideation, domestic violence and/or emotional needs, via advocacy, financial aid, or referral linkages. • The Center provides jobs assistance and help removing barriers to employment, counseling and employment case management. • The Center provides family functioning assessment, family systems development, family strengths enhancement and problem resolution techniques using the family development model.

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