• Surprised at the numbers because the African American unemployment rate was very low in 2019. 
• Counterpoint: overall rate in 2019 was low but the disparities were/are still there - employed adults are often under-employed or working multiple jobs while still struggling economically 
• **Poverty doesn't mean not working**
• Low-income families working lower-wage jobs that are "off the book" type jobs (lack consistency, benefits, regulation)
• High cost of housing means family budgets are often housing overburdened
• Cost of food and other basic necessities are also expensive
• Need better, more affordable childcare options so families can increase their hours at work or work on education
• Single-parent families are at a disadvantage, particularly in this county, with only one income 
• Financial Literacy - not really taught anywhere as part of general education
• Technology divide - impacts families too in terms of accessing job sites, postings, being able to do virtual interviews during COVID
• The money that struggling families are making is going to the bills/rent and can't afford the technology for virutal learning for themselves or their kids
• Interview skills/ resume building in this environment is challenging 
• Lack of good transportation makes getting from where people live in the county (particularly the more affordable parts) to where the jobs are
• Public Transportation to job interviews during this pandemic may not be the safest option for some families even when it is available
• Lack of qualifications/licensing or ability to obtain these for available jobs
• Lack of case management to support these families 
• Homeless families have a very hard time breaking the cycle - need more options to support families as they work towards stability
• Contacting resources may be difficult for families who cannot afford to pay their phone bills or who only have sporadic phone access
• Lack of high school diploma or GED - though even that is not enough for many jobs
• Criminal records and how we treat those returning from incarceration
• Substance use/abuse and lack of treatment options
• Impacts of mental health/lack of mental health services 
• Solutions are considered as "bandaids" smaller specific problems in the moment but as a community, we are not equipped to address the underlying problems 
• Many are looking for any jobs available but not looking for a career which would help build long-term stability
• Life education vs school education 
• Helping both youth and adults explore non-college career paths/knowing what options are available.
• Lack of bilingual programs and services
• Legal status to be able to apply to different jobs. (ask for social security/documents) 
• In most Hispanic families, they have one person providing the household income. 
• The regular childcare programs are high cost, but families that have a special needs child pay more for these programs.
• COVID-19 has exposed many Hispanic families because of living situations/jobs/etc. which has further impacted their ability to work/earn 
• Many Hispanic families (who lack legal status) can't access unemployment, humanitarian relief fund, other benefits

• AAWDC 
• County govt
• State Govt
• City Govt
• DSS
• HACA/HCAAC
• AACPS
• The Arc
• Partnership CYF
• Food Bank
• HOPE for All
• Mental Health Agency/CSA/Crisis Response
• DHMH
• Dept. of Aging
• The Y of Central MD
• AACC
• YWCA
• Arundel Lodge
• Faith Community
• MD Chapter - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Hospitals (UMD BWMC, AAMC, Harbor)
• Private funders - philanthropy community/foundations
• County Council/City Council/Local Representatives
• Courts
• District Attorney's Office
• DJS
• Homeland Security/CIS/ICE/CBCP
• Mental Health Providers
• Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment providers
• SOC/CRICT teams
• AACPL
• Business Community (Local Chambers of Commerce)
• Parks and Rec (childcare piece?)
• The YMCA (scholarships for childcare)
• Families 

• Basic Needs Supports - Systems of Care, Case Management, etc.
• Multi-D Teams (CRICT, EC CRICT, etc.)
• Not My Child (addressing substance use/abuse)
• AACC - Reducing cost of higher education, training programs, non-credit courses to help with employment
• Homeless Coalition
• Homeless Coordinator AACPS (in conjunction with PPW's, school counselors, etc.)
• Shelters and other homeless supports
• DSS Emergency Service Unit/Alternative Response
• Homelessness Prevention/Shelter Diversion Programs (UWCM)
• Flexible and braided funding streams to meet family needs (car repairs, medications, stop-gap measures)
• Data sharing among key agencies (better service delivery to families that are "deep end" users)
• Vehicles for change
• Having a robust public transportation system
• Universal Pre-K (alleviates some child care issues/helps children with school success)
• Affordable before and aftercare for kids
• Child Care Vouchers
• Finding a new industry to bring into the community (example: Baltimore City biotech industry)
• Sick Child Day Care (Minnesota model, Baltimore County)
• Evening child care for parents who work swing shift (Kingdom Kare - West County)
• Increased public housing opportunities
• Better zoning laws that allow for more affordable housing
• Communities are organized/unionized - advocacy around wages
• Employment centers
• Dorm Program in Portland, ME - downtown location to help them have access to jobs/programs
• Mentoring for teens/young adults for outside perspective/guidance 
• Helping parents with virutal learning and virtual job seeking/interviewing
• Affordable Virutal Learning Centers where kids can go throughout the county 
• Churches that want to help but are unsure of how to - perhaps give them a "problem" to solve or a specific identified gap to fill?
• Partnering with Police Dept to help with criminal record barriers - also look at policy and hiring practices that make expungement necessary
• Mobile services/solutions (ex: medstar van)

1. More access to supports for basic needs to help families get/remain stable (SOC, CRICT Teams, alternative response, Family Stability programs)
2. Increase in skill/trade/training programs in growth industries (cyber security, HVAAC, plumbing) and "old school" trades (carpentry, electricians, plumbers, etc.)
3. Create community Hubs/Drop-In Centers for families and youth where they can access multiple services in one place
4. Full-Day Universal Pre-K with FREE Before & After Care
5. Improved regional transportation plan to make employment options more accessible regardless of where you live

Two themes/notes were also highlighted:

• Need to get communities educated and on-board to reduce NIMBY mindset/behaviors so we can have more diverse affordable housing options across the county
• Need to better address systemic disparities and inequities, particularly as it relates to trauma - so more training and tools for agencies/systems/providers

The percent of children under age 18 whose family income is equal to or below the federal poverty threshold. PLEASE NOTE: The prior data source no longer exists. Poverty data is now best obtained via the US Census' American Community Survey. That is the data reflected in the attached document with disaggregated data by race. 

Would be interesting to examine things like:

• Wage rates, housing and higher ed - compare/overlay on a map
• Population growth in areas not reached by public transportation
• Business growth in areas not reached by public transportation
• School readiness data compared to child poverty