A Prevention Program for the City of San BernardinoBy Mona Aliari

Percentage Breakdown By Race of Residents with Income Below Poverty Level

White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

San BernardinoCalifornia

Research• A study done in 2007 found that San

Bernardino County has nearly 40% more homeless people now than it did in 2003.

• The study found at least 7,331 homeless people, and 83% of them lived on the streets.

• In 2007, the dropout rate of students living in low-income families was about 10 times greater than the rate of their peers from high-income families (8.8% vs. 0.9%).

• Less than 25% of homeless students graduate high school

The Impact

•Poverty is linked with negative conditions that adversely impact the nation’s children, such as:▫Substandard housing▫Homelessness▫Inadequate nutrition and food ▫Inadequate child care▫Lack of access to health care▫Unsafe neighborhoods▫Under resourced schools

•Students need these things to succeed at school.

The Issue• Poorer children and teens are at greater risk for:

▫Poor academic achievement▫School dropout▫Abuse and neglect▫Behavioral and socio-emotional problems▫Physical health problems▫Developmental delays

• Inadequate education contributes to the cycle of poverty by making it more difficult for low-income children to lift themselves and future generations out of poverty.

Why Should School Psychologists Care?

•Children living in poverty are at greater risk of behavioral and emotional problems.

• Poverty and economic hardship is particularly difficult for parents who may experience chronic stress, depression, marital distress, and exhibit harsher parenting behaviors. These are all linked to poor social and emotional outcomes for children.

• The families of children from poor communities don't have the means to enhance their classroom education.

The Plan

Need To

Stop The

Cycle!

The Program

• Help students develop strong, positive relationships with adults.

• Build on their strengths rather than focus on their weaknesses.• Provide an environment that helps young people develop

positive relationships with peers.• Give them challenges they can rise to.• Provide enriching, creative activities they can participate in.• Give them opportunities to develop leadership and decision-

making skills.• Many gifted children have specific learning, social and

emotional needs that require special attention and resources to steer them on the right accelerated track.

• Honing in on students’ innate abilities and developing it.• Provide all of these opportunities over the long term.

The Program

Services Tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment activities

• One-on-One Tutoring• Backpacks & School Supplies• Clean Uniforms/Clothing• Housing the Homeless• Help with School Enrollment• Parental Guidance• Counseling• Learning Centers• Transportation Assistance• Programs after school,

evenings, weekends, and during the summer at school and community locations

• Volunteers will work one-on-one with children whose poverty prevents them from getting the academic stability and help they desperately need.

• Volunteer tutors will be from all backgrounds and professions.

• They will give extra time and attention to impoverished students so that they can be successful in school.

Resources• http://www.apa.org/monitor/mar01/afterscho

ol.aspx• http://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty.aspx• http://www.schoolonwheels.org/pages/100/• http://www.dailybulletin.com/tentcity/ci_6998

885• http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-10-29/n

ews/fl-gifted-education-forum-1029-20101029_1_gifted-education-gifted-children-gifted-kids

• http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-San-Bernardino-California.html

• http://www.schoolmatch.com/articles/poverty.htm