To​: Stephen Holoviak

From​: Christopher Sosnowski

Date​: 6/11/2020
Subject​: Summary of Research on York and Reading

Introduction:

Both York PA and Reading PA are prime locations to establish an EOC project, and there are a
variety of indicators as to why. These indicators include metrics such as high SVI (Social
Vulnerability Index) scores, as well as low median incomes within pockets of these cities. In the
midst of a public health crisis such as COVID-19, these signs point to both York and Reading
being hit harder than most other locations.

Discussion:

Both Reading and York score high on the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index
● An SVI score determines the resilience of communities when confronted by external
stresses on human health, stresses such as natural or human disasters, or disease
outbreaks.
● As our country confronts a worldwide pandemic, SVI scores provide insight into how
certain communities are at a greater risk than other communities.
● In particular, Reading and York PA SVI scores were recorded as high during the last
calculation in 2016. This supports the idea that these communities are suffering more
than others during times such as these.

In a recent study on disconnected youth, low-income youth aged 16-24 will be hit
harder by the “economic and social dislocation” caused by COVID-19​ [1]
● Disconnected youth is defined as the share of young people both out of work and out of
school.
● While the rate of disconnected youth in this country has been on the decline since the
recession in 2008, COVID-19 is poised to undo all of this positive progress.
● Both York and Reading are classified by the report as “moderately connected urban
areas”, and both areas suffer from both higher than average unemployment, and lower
than average educational attainment.
● The report recommends committing to “building an infrastructure of opportunity” in areas
that suffer from disconnected youth.
Pockets of poverty continue to persist in both York and Reading
● While it is true that York and Reading both suffer from much higher levels of poverty than
other areas of PA, pockets of poverty within these cities are also identifiable.
● While many ZIP codes contain both the cities of York and Reading along with their
surrounding areas, it is clear as day that certain sections of these communities suffer
from much lower median incomes than others.
● Median income by census tract is even more accurate at determining where exactly
most support is needed.

Plenty of reading exists on the impact that career and college counseling programs
such as EOC can have on low-income communities.
● A recent article by the Chronicle of Higher Education covered distance learning, and how
important student connectivity is. Of note is that the article directly mentions TRIO, and
tells a story of its positive impact on a student in New York.​[2]
● While focused on college administrators, a recent article by Inside Higher Ed stressed
the importance of focusing on low-income students as they transition and settle into
institutions of higher education.​[3]
● Further readings support previous findings in regard to SVI scores and disconnected
youth. Links to all of these readings have been provided below.

Recommendations:

#1: ​Cite SIV scores as a new indicator. ​Seeing as COVID-19 has had a national impact,
including proof that both Reading and York are underprepared areas in need of support makes
for a strong argument, and makes our grant more competitive. The SIV scores calculated in
2016 make this case exactly.

#2: ​Include the report on disconnected youth. ​Something I forgot to mention in my

discussion is that this report was released just two days ago as of sending this report. It’s as
current as it gets, and further supports the argument that both Reading and York are in need of
targeted programs such as EOC during the pandemic.

#3: ​Target EOC resources to aid pockets of poverty within each area respectively.​ As we
discussed a couple of weeks ago, I was to look into specific pockets of poverty that might exist
within our target areas. Based on both the ZIP code and tract data I was, in fact, able to find
certain pockets within these cities that struggle more than others. My only suggestion is that we
target these areas within the grant write up and programs later on.
Tables and maps:

Median Income by ZIP of Reading City and Its Surrounding Areas

Median Income by ZIP of York City and Its Surrounding Areas

Median Income by Census Tract for Reading PA

Median Income by Census Tract for York PA
Overall SVI Score by Census Tract for Reading PA
Overall SVI Score by Census Tract for York PA
Endnotes​:

[1]​
Lewis, Kristen. A Decade Undone: Youth Disconnection in the Age of Coronavirus. New York:
Measure of America, Social Science Research Council, 2020.

[2]​
Hoover, Eric. “Distanced Learning.” The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Chronicle of
Higher Education, 24 Apr. 2020, ​www.chronicle.com/article/distanced-learning/​.

[3]​
Lederman, Doug. Inside Higher Ed, 27 Apr. 2020,
www.insidehighered.com/news/survey/presidents-biggest-covid-19-worries-low-income-students
-and-colleges-financial-strain.

Sources​:

CDC Social Vulnerability Index Interactive Map ​https://svi.cdc.gov/map.html

2017 American Community Survey Data, U.S. Census Bureau ​https://data.census.gov/cedsci/