Understanding Our Community: 2024 Data for Decision-Making Report

September 1, 2024 - The Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet has released its updated Data for Decision-Making report, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing children, youth, and families in Poughkeepsie. This data-driven resource informs the Cabinet's strategic priorities and decision-making as we work toward our vision of socioeconomic mobility for today's youth.

The report reveals both the urgency of our work and the specific areas where coordinated action can make the greatest impact. Nearly one in four children in Poughkeepsie lives in poverty, 24.3% compared to just 7.6% in Dutchess County overall. In the school district, 84% of students are economically disadvantaged, and chronic absenteeism affects 36.3% of elementary students. Achievement gaps persist, with only 22% of students in grades 3-8 proficient in English Language Arts compared to 45% statewide. These disparities are compounded by housing instability (8% of students experiencing homelessness), limited transportation access (20.7% of households without a vehicle), and significant income inequality across racial lines.

Yet the data also illuminates pathways forward. Understanding that 61% of city families are single-parent households informs our approach to family engagement. Knowing that children spend 80% of their time outside the classroom underscores the critical importance of quality out-of-school time programming. Recognizing educational attainment gaps, where only 12.4% of city residents hold bachelor's degrees, reinforces our commitment to building cradle-to-career pathways. This report serves as both a baseline for measuring progress and a roadmap for where we must focus our collective efforts to break cycles of intergenerational poverty and create lasting change for Poughkeepsie's children.

Access the full Data for Decision-Making report here.