Newly released reports from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) show that median household income increased in the United States between 2016 and 2017, and the poverty rate declined in the same period. The percent of Americans without health insurance did not change significantly between 2016 and 2017. Median household income nationally in 2017...
September 17, 2018
Census numbers: Child poverty persists in many parts of Ohio
Out of all age groups, children are the most likely to live in poverty. Research shows that children who live in poverty during their childhood- especially those who live in persistent poverty- are likely to struggle with poor educational, economic and health outcomes well into adulthood. With the release of the new...
September 17, 2018
Cleveland is dead last in child poverty
Cleveland’s child poverty rate is the worst of any large U.S. city, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 1-year estimates show that 48.7 percent of children under age 18 in Cleveland lived in poverty in 2017. That’s the highest child poverty rate of any city with a population...
September 17, 2018
New Census data offers insight on how work requirements may affect low-income Ohioans’ access to food assistance
Each year, the release of new census data from the year before offers a chance to learn the latest changes in population shifts, poverty rates, insurance coverage and other important indicators within our communities. Data and policy wonks are often quick to point to certain policy decisions and social trends that drive the outcomes shown...
September 17, 2018
60 or 65? How old is old?
When you hear the phrase older adult, whom do you picture? This phrase can be used to describe a population composed of many different people, depending on the purpose of the conversation. Sometimes when we say older adult, we may be referring to a stage of life rather than a specific age range. In our...
August 27, 2018
What is Poverty, Really?
August 20, 2018
County Fact Sheet Update: Providing Data on Issues that Matter
It’s been two years since we released our last edition of the County Fact Sheets, so we figured it was time for an update! We are pleased to release a fact sheet for each of Ohio’s 88 counties, and one for the State of Ohio. Those who reference our fact sheets often will notice one...
August 20, 2018
Cuyahoga Job and Family Services Demonstrates Transparency and Commitment to Improving Customer Service at Community Forums
By Rachel Cahill, Community Solutions Consultant Emily Muttillo, Research Fellow Beginning on August 28, the Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (“Cuyahoga JFS”) will participate in a statewide overhaul of the systems used to apply, determine eligibility and manage caseloads for food and cash assistance (SNAP and OWF). In May, Rachel Cahill outlined the upcoming conversion from...
August 6, 2018
“Any recommendations?” Word of mouth is a key source of information
In social service speak we call them “trusted intermediaries” – those people and organizations who are good at getting the word out about programs and services. Most often, we think of relying on trusted intermediaries when trying to connect with hard-to-reach populations, especially those with language or cultural barriers. But as The Center for Community...
June 25, 2018
County Council Introduced to Blockchain, potential impact on Health and Human Services
The June 6 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Service and Aging Committee featured two presentations. There were no pieces of legislation considered at this meeting. The first presentation was about electricity programs for low income residents, the second was about blockchain technology. Blockchain is a method by which transactions take place and are...