TUCI :: The Urban Child Institute

This report examines undereducated parenting in our community and provides policy suggestions to help guarantee improved beginnings for vulnerable children in Shelby County.

» How Does Mother's Age Correspond to Healthy Early Childhood Development and Well-Being? | 05/09

Higher levels of parental education and income correlate with healthier patterns of early childhood brain development. In our community, early parenthood leaves many families struggling to secure access to the basic resources and protections that provide a strong foundation for children's early brain development.

» Teen Parenting In Shelby County | 04/09

This report examines teen parenting in Shelby County and provides suggestions for parents and policymakers about how to support fragile families.

» How Much Would Marriage Improve the Financial Well-Being of Young Children in Shelby County? | 04/09

This analysis examines the reported incomes of first time single mothers and their partners in 2006 to determine how many children would be lifted out of poverty if they had married parents, instead of single mothers.

» How Well Do the Social and Economic Conditions of Families in Memphis Support Early Childhood Development? | 03/09

This report analyzes the degree to which families are able to access high quality relationships and enriching environments for their children in the critical period of early brain development that occurs between birth and age 3.

» Grandparents and Grandchildren in Shelby County | 03/09

This policy brief discusses the important ways that grandparents in Shelby County provide emotional support and stability, improving outcomes for young children.

» What Do We Know about the Condition of Children in Memphis? l 03/09

This report describes the state of families in Memphis including information on their income and education.

» Children and Family Literacy in Shelby County | 03/09

In our community, parents in poverty are less likely to read to their children than parents in poverty nationwide. Fortunately, there are simple ways even for parents who struggle with reading to help their children become strong readers and learners.

» The Condition of Children being Raised by Single Parents, Teen Parents and Parents with Low Levels of Education in Shelby County. | 03/09

Single Parents, Teen Parents and Parents with low levels of education are disproportionately in poverty in Shelby County. This has a direct influence on the development and life outcomes of young children because their parents lack access to protective factors and resources that will help stimulate their cognitive, social, emotional development in their earliest years.

COMMUNITY

» Neglect During Infancy and Early Childhood Endangers Early Brain Development and Can Have Consequences Which Persist Into Adulthood l 10/09

This brief examines early childhood neglect in Shelby County and provides information on local resources that can help families meet their children's developmental needs.

» Early Intervention Services Improve Developmental Outcomes For Young Children With Disabilities l 08/09

This policy brief discusses the contribution of Early Intervention services to the developmental well-being of young, at risk children in Shelby County.

» Recession Induced Dire Poverty and Homelessness in Shelby County | 04/09

This report details the increase in extreme poverty and homelessness related to the recession and housing market crisis. When families struggle to make ends meet and are unable to maintain safe and stable homes, the social, emotional and cognitive development of their children is threatened.

» Educational Achievement Fact Sheet Update | 03/09

An updated analysis of the demographics of Memphis City School and Shelby County School students and their performance on state and national achievement tests.

» School Spending in Education | 04/07

The rise in spending on public education over the last 30 years in the United States is almost entirely due to the increase in the percent of low-income children attending public schools.

» Educational Achievements in Memphis and Shelby County Fact Sheet | 01/07

Children enter the educational system from a variety of backgrounds. Their social, economic, and cultural influences will contribute to their academic success. In turn, the education of children shapes their development and life chances, as well as the economic and social progress of our community.

» Statistical Comparison of Mean Birthweights | 12/06

A comparative analysis of the mean birth weights of women from the 38114 zip code in order to examine the socio-economic and community factors that influence the health of newborns in Memphis.

» Disparities in the Academic Achievement of Different Demographic Groups Across Tennessee | 07/06

In this analysis, we examine the persistent disparities in academic achievement between students from different racial and economic backgrounds across the State.

» Educational Well-Being in Memphis and Shelby County Presentation | 05/06

In Memphis City Schools and across Tennessee, there are significant achievement gaps between black and white students and between low income and middle income students. Because of the absence of enforced national standards in the No Child Left Behind Act, Tennessee?s academic standards are exceptionally low; as a result, achievement gaps between groups are likely even greater than indicated by statewide test results.

PUBLIC POLICY

» Regional Health Disparities in TN l 07/09

This policy brief examines disparities in infant and child health in the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee and their implications for our understanding of child health and health care policy.

» Variations In 2006 Infant Mortality in Tennessee l 07/09

This policy brief examines the IMR of four Tennessee counties (including Shelby County) as well as differences in the IMR of racial and ethnic groups within each county. The report also examines the implications of implementing standard reporting guidelines for infant mortality rates in Tennessee.

» Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems | 07/09

This report examines how an Early Childhood Comprehensive System can help set vulnerable children in Memphis and Shelby County on a path to success by supporting optimal early brain development

» Expanding Access to Early Head Start l 06/09

Early Head Start is an effective program for children living in poverty. This report examines how expanding EHS would make a difference in Shelby County.

» Covering Kids Health Needs | 03/09

This brief examines the recent re-authorization of SCHIP including an estimate of the number of children who will have access to health care under the reauthorization and the long term implications for their well-being.

» Building a Comprehensive Early Childhood Investment Initiative in Shelby County- Lessons From Urban Initiatives to Promote Early Learning | 03/09

A policy brief reviewing the efforts of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Denver, Colorado and Sioux Falls, South Dakota to develop comprehensive early childhood investment strategies.

» Recession Induced Child Poverty in Shelby County | 02/09

The current recession will cause an additional 8,388 children in Shelby County to fall into poverty and will reduce the future GDP of the metro area by nearly 0 million a year, every year of these children's working lives.

» A Children's Agenda for Tennessee | 01/09

This brief discusses public policy measures that respond to the needs of children in Tennessee and the implications of adopting these policy measures.

» Candidate Questionnaire l 07

A Survey of Mayoral and County Office Candidates Regarding Early Childhood Issues

» Social Determinants of Child Health | Barbara Starfield 09/2006

This brief analyzes the social and societal determinants of child health and public policy approaches to influencing these determinants to enhance the health of children in our communities.

» Determinants of Child Health | Linda Southward 09/06

A broad ranging analysis of the different fixed and random effects which influence children?s well-being and development over the course of their childhoods.

» Health Policy Forum | David Mirvis 09/06

An examination of the ways that public policy effects children?s health and access to health care.

» CUCP Las Perspectivas

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