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Press Releases
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Joblessness for Minority Youth Reaches Historic High
Investing in Children's Programs Would Generate New Jobs |
Washington, D.C. The release of today's Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that only 32,000 jobs were created in July. Experts were expecting 215,000 to 247,000 new jobs.
Hidden in today's report is the exceptionally unsettling picture for minority youth. In July, the jobless rate for African American youth hit an historic high and the rate for Latino youth was near the all time worst. The jobless rate for all 16 to 19 year olds reached 56.1 percent in July, while the jobless rate for African American youth reached 75.1 percent and Latino youth reached almost 66 percent.
The Bush Administration and Congress could do much more to create jobs and lift families out of poverty. For example, fully funding the Child Care and Development Block Grant (a major source of child care funding) would generate an additional 1.8 million teaching positions. In addition, new management, custodial and bus driver positions would be generated. This child care assistance would also enable the parents of an additional 13,450,000 children to work and attend higher education programs to update their skills and earn additional income.
There are other remedies the federal government can employ. For example, fully funding the 21st Century Community Learning Centers would generate an 554,272 jobs in addition to giving 6 million children a supervised place to go after school. If Head Start were fully funded within the current framework of the law to serve all eligible children, an additional 135,644 jobs would be generated. Further, if Early Head Start were fully funded within the current framework of the law, it would generate at least 807,821 additional jobs. "Today's children are the backbone of tomorrow's economy," Deborah Cutler-Ortiz of CDF's Family Income & Jobs Division said. "The current dismal jobs report clearly calls for action. Instead of passing more tax breaks, which do not stimulate the economy or create jobs, the Bush Administration should do more to lift families out of poverty by investing in programs that help children."
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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds. |
