Understanding the Lifestyle of Migrant Families Redlands Christian

Understanding the Lifestyle of Migrant Families Redlands Christian Migrant Association

Highlights n Common challenges n Farmworker safety issues n Housing conditions n Language barriers n Parent education level n RCMAs role in providing quality childcare 2

Story of a Former Migrant Kathy Vega Associate Executive Director 3

Common Challenges n Families splitting up to find work n Not knowing if they will find work or housing n Children withdrawn from school early or begin school late n Finding affordable childcare n Sharing a home with other families n Living in poor housing conditions n Homelessness n Inadequate transportation n Health concerns n The fear of being stopped by police or ICE n Farmers only hiring and housing H 2 A workers n Low wages 4

Farmworker Safety Issues n Pesticide exposure with little or no training n Limited water for hand washing or drinking n Work place hazards n Hot/cold temperatures (dehydration) n Dangerous equipment n Back/spinal problems n Repetitive bending, rapid movement n Heavy lifting

• Provided by grower/employer for H 2 A Visa farmworkers. Rent is deducted from farmworker paycheck. Privately Owned Rentals • Affordable cost of living for documented farmworkers. Six out of ten farmworkers are undocumented Farmer Owned Housing Government Housing Types of Housing • Typically for undocumented farmworkers • Overpriced • Scarce/limited amount available

Housing Conditions n Overcrowded n Often times sleeping on floor n One bathroom or no shower at all n No washer or dryer n No A/C or heater n Poorly ventilated n Often times living with mold 7

Language Barriers n Difficulty communicating with: n Child’s school/teacher n Healthcare provider n Common tasks (grocery stores, banks, landlord) n Farmworkers with lower education levels and limited language skills tend to incur more occupational injuries n Although many overcome language barriers through interpreters, practice, classes, or even visual methods, migrants are still negatively impacted by the language barrier

Did You Know? § That 68 percent of all farmworkers were born in Mexico § The average level of completed education was 8 th grade § 35 percent said they could not speak English “at all” http: //www. ncfh. org/uploads/3/8/6/8/38685499/fs-facts_about_farmworkers. pdf 9

Mission Statement RCMA opens doors to opportunities through quality childcare and education from crib to high school and beyond. Vision Statement RCMA will be recognized as a national role model in preparing rural low-income children for leadership in an increasingly diverse and complex world.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Serving 6500 low income children 21 rural counties 65 early learning centers 3 charter schools 7 after-school location 26 child care homes Through 45+ funding sources Over 1700 staff members Organized into 12 areas & 4 regions 11

2018 -2019 Budget 665 $677 $232 283 835223 $4$1560 083 $3 503 269 $72, 750, 695 Grants - 86% $62 241 09 2 Donated Services & Occupancy - 5% Charter School Revenue - 6% Donations - 2% Parent Fees - 1% Other - 0% 12

RCMA’s Unique Features v Seasonal Peak: October - May & Year-round v Always invited into Rural Community Locations v 85% of Staff Hired from the Community Served v Statewide Board of Directors with 32% Parent Members v Bilingualism is supported in all programs and our Charter Schools 13

s l o o h c S Wimauma Academy ter r a Ch Immokalee Community School n Kg – 6 th Grade n 244 Students n 167 Families n 122 Families Spanish Home Language n n Kg – 5 th Grade 220 Students 167 Families 161 Families Home Language Spanish Wimauma Leadership Academy n 6 th – 8 th Grade n 105 Students n 105 Families n 102 Families Home Language 14 Spanish

Children Served 569 Total Children served = Birth-5 Programs = Charter Schools = (2017 -18 fiscal year) 6, 462 5, 893 569 5893 Charter Schools

Children by Age & Funding 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 MSHS CCP 228 Infant 1 yo MSHS 1451 2 yo EHS 752 3 yo HS 1211 4 yo School Charter Readiness Schools 1034 574 5 -11 yo 12 -14 yo

COR Levels Child Outcomes: Getting Ready for Kindergarten 4, 5 4 3, 5 3 2, 5 2 1, 5 1 0, 5 0 IT's Preschool Pre 1, 14 3, 01 Post 1, 99 4, 24 Gains 0, 85 1, 23

National data vs RCMA data Primary Home Language 3% 1% 1% 24% 71% Spanish Indigenous Dialect English Asian Haitian/Creole AND 86% of families have <High School Diploma 18

Early Childhood Teachers 888 Total 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Teacher Trainees Teacher Level 1 Teacher Level 2 Teacher Level 3 Teacher Level 4 No DCF 45 hr training National or Florida. Associate Degree in. Bachelor’s Degree in training, less than 1 complete CDA credential ECE or equivalent year

RCMA Immigration Program n n n Family safety planning Adjustment of status Naturalization DACA/DAPA Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Bilingual Materials: n Seeking Asylum ü Know Your Rights n Special Immigrant ü Family Safety Planning Juvenile Status ü Becoming a U. S. Citizen 20

Q &A 21