Poverty, Trauma and the

Developing Brain

Swati Adarkar
President & CEO
CI’s Vision
All children in Oregon are prepared for success in
school and life.
Poverty for Children 0-5
Poverty rates by race
Early Care & Education Reach
Percentage of Eligible Children Served
100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%
36
10%
15 16
9
0%
Home Visiting Childcare Subsidies Early Head Start Preschool (Federal &
State Funded)
Recent Wins
Early Works Initiative
Yoncalla Elementary School Earl Boyles Elementary School

Yoncalla, Douglas County Portland, Multnomah County

What Works

• Preschool and other early learning

opportunities
• Parenting classes and workshops
• Play groups for parents with infants
and toddlers
• Community events
• Parent-teacher home visits
• Lending library
• Housing advocate
• Food pantry
• Community health worker
Community-Led Research

• Community Health Needs

• Housing
• Navigation of social services
• Community Health Workers
• Parent education and
support
• Adult education
• Financial literacy
Long-Term Impact

Literacy skills for

Stronger early literacy skills at
kindergarteners exceed district
kindergarten entry
and state

Reduction in special needs

Early literacy skill gaps closing
services by first grade

Student retention has

Increasing family stability
improved
Lessons Learned
• Listening and responding to community needs
yields stronger programs and outcomes
• Collaborative leadership, including parent
leadership, strengthens school community
• Dual generation strategies support early
childhood development and family economic
stability
• Program planning, design, and
implementation influence and shape state
policy
• Collaborative efforts address systemic racism
and discrimination
Thank you

1411 SW Morrison Street, #205

Portland, Oregon 97205
503.219.9034
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