A sweeping report on the condition of some 119,000 impoverished Connecticut youth, characterized as “Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis,” is headed to the state’s legislature, where commission members hope legislators approve hundreds of millions of dollars in critical programs.
It’s a study that has not been replicated in other states, according to one of the commission members, Danielle Chesebrough, first selectwoman of Stonington. Other states, including Rhode Island, should look closely at the commission’s findings and recommendations.
Perhaps, Rhode Island officials should consider whether to undertake their own study of similar youth in the Ocean State.
The 119K Commission is named for the number of kids and young adults, aged 16 to 26, who they characterize as “disconnected youth.” They live in poverty, some are homeless, have mental health or addiction issues, or their parents do. Conditions, the report says, make it difficult for many to stay in school.
Conditions that are not unlike those that contribute to high absenteeism in Rhode Island Schools. Some are forced to work to help their families, or care for younger siblings at home.
The Connecticut report, “Young People First: A bold plan to address Connecticut’s Statewide Crisis,” follows by a year a report issued by the Boston Consulting Group.
The report and Chesebrough say that if no action is taken, and the 119,000 young people remain uneducated and unemployed, it will cost the state an estimated $5.5 billion in Gross Domestic Product annually.
What they’re suggesting is a program that the commission hopes will reduce the “statewide crisis” for 60,000 of the at-risk youth in a decade. If adopted in full, it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars initially and annually, would create an Office of Youth Success, develop several programs and coalitions with non-profits, government, and higher education.
While financially, the programs would cost hundreds of millions, the report also notes that state funding for education has decreased by $407 million since 2017.
A news article in CT News Junkie quoted New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, a commission member saying there are just 53 social workers for nearly 19,000 students, a workload of 358 students per social worker, and 26 librarians for 41 schools.
The committee expects, if adopted, its recommendations would make a huge difference for 60,000 of those characterized as “disconnected.”
Among some of the commission’s goals:
- Developing robust vocational and career training programs in collaboration with local businesses and educational institutions.
- Establishes the Office of Youth Success, which would oversee a network of local, regional and statewide services.
- Develop new “educational pathways and alternative learning models.”
- Increase school and educator capacity.
- Improve communication among agencies.
- Support school to work programs.
- Develop the Connecticut Youth Service Corps.
- “Support workforce reintegration programs for currently and formerly incarcerated youth.”
