POVERTY

Being researched

POVERTY. In 2010 the number of children living below the poverty line--an income level based on the number of people in the household--had increased by 42% over the past decade. One-third of Dubuque's public school students were eligible for free or reduced-price meals with the number varying by school. In Fulton, Prescott, and Audubon elementary schools over 80% of the students were eligible. At DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL one-third of the students are eligible. (1)

Individual efforts to confront poverty include those of Jim Ott, a school psychologist in Jackson County, who returned from a poverty training workshop and implemented change through the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. "Bridges Out of Poverty" was aimed at professionals serving clients living in poverty. "Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin' By World" was planned to help people living in poverty. The goal of both programs was to establish communication between poor and middle-class people by teaching both groups about the other's cultural norms. (2)

In 2015 data from the U. S. Census Bureau showed that the percentage of tri-state-area residents living in poverty continued to rise even as the country emerged from recession. Since the pre-recession year of 2007 the number of Dubuque County residents living in poverty had increased 2.7% to a figure of 11.5%. From 2012-2015 Dubuque--with 3% of the state's population--saw more than 8% of all new jobs added across the state. Average wages over the period exceeded the rate of inflation by more than 15%. Higher wages, an attempt to life low-wage workers out of poverty, actually left them in worse condition. Higher wages resulted in the employees losing federal benefits like food stamps and Mediaid or housing subsidies. The highest pay in high-tech manufacturing, engineering, or computer technology was out of reach of low-skilled workers. (3)

There had developed a disconnect between the unemployment rate and the number of people living in poverty. In 2015 Dubuque experienced an average annual job growth of about 1.6% and 3% unemployment. This, however, did not account for those unable to find full-time employment and those who had given up. Those working in fast-food and service industries earned wages leaving their unable to support their families. Following the recession more businesses became automated with a resulting cut in employment. (4)

In July, 2019 members of the city council approved soliciting proposals for the creation of an Equitable Poverty Prevention Plan for a maximum budgeted amount of $75,000. (5)

Research indicated that 16% of the 54,940 residents in the city lived in poverty. Minority residents were significantly more likely to live in poverty than the national averages. The rate of white residents living in poverty was slightly above the national average. Among AFRICAN AMERICANS in Dubuque 60% lived in poverty while the national average was 25.2%. Among HISPANICS in Dubuque, 26% lived in poverty compared to the national average of 22%. Among residents of two or more races in Dubuque, 47.6% lived in poverty which was far higher than the national average of 18.4%. (6)

The planning process would examine existing programs to determine their success. Trends and best practices would be studied and performance goals established to gauge the success of the new plan. The firm selected wold study self-sufficiency, economic and employment programs, internet and computer-training programs, access to affordable housing, nutrition and CHILDREN'S MEAL PROGRAMS. (7)

The new plan followed the city's participation in Dubuque Circles Initiatives with partner organizations. That program evolved into Gaining Opportunities in 2018. The new plan would operation with Gaining Opportunities until the new plan concluded at which time Gaining Opportunities would change reflecting the new plan's findings and goals. (8)

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Source:

1. Ullrich, Kurt, ""More Iowa Children in Poverty," Telegraph Herald, December 21, 2010, p. 1A

2. Kittle, Emily, "Ott Man Out," Telegraph Herald, December 28, 2008, p. 51

3. Barton, Thonas J. and Craig Reber, "Poverty Rates Remain Stubborn," Telegraph Herald, December 16, 2015, p. 1A

4. Ibid.

5. Fisher, Benjamin, "Dubuque Seeks Consultant for Anti-Poverty Plan," Telegraph Herald, July 22, 2019, p. 3A

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.