# State of Our City - Orange County - Full Context > Civic data and metrics for Orange County. This document contains the complete set of active realities, visualizations, definitions, and data sources configured for Orange County under the top-level geography (Geo ID: `0500000US06059`). ## Reality: Affordable Housing ### Access to affordable housing is vital for a healthy and stable community. Unfortunately, Orange County continues to experience an affordable housing crisis. Like much of the nation, Orange County is facing an affordable housing crisis created by a perfect storm of factors including a population boom, increasing housing prices, rising rents, stagnant wages, and disparities of opportunity along racial and economic lines. A significant percentage of both homeowners and renters in the Orange County area are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their pre-tax income on housing costs. The situation is particularly dire for Orange County renters, many of whom are considered extremely or very low income. Cost-burdened households often have to make tradeoffs with other living expenses and are at risk of becoming housing insecure. ### Total Number Housing Burdened * **Description**: Housing burdened is defined as paying more than 30% of gross income on housing, including mortgage or rent, and other taxes, utilities and insurance. * **Metric Field**: `totalHousingBurdened` * **Current Value**: **442,852** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - label: Households ### Supporting Visualizations ### Percent Housing Burdened Over Time * **Description**: According to HUD, a household of 4 in Orange County is considered Extremely Low Income if their annual income is less than $47,350 and Very Low Income if below $78,900. * **Metric Field**: `costBurdenOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 2 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - mortgage: Mortgage - rent: Rent ### Rental vs Owner at Income Level * **Metric Field**: `rentersVsOwnersIncomeLevel` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 2 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - renters: Renters - owners: Owners - lt20000: < 20k - 20000-34999: 20-34k - 35000-49999: 35-49k - 50000-74999: 50-74k - gte75000: > 75k ### Home Ownership by Income Level Over Time * **Description**: Home Ownership is becoming increasingly difficult for households making under $75k per year * **Metric Field**: `ownershipByIncomeLevelOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 2 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - lt75000: < 75k - gte75000: > 75k ### Homeowners as % of Race Over Time * **Description**: Homeownership rates vary significantly across race and ethnicity. * **Metric Field**: `homeownerRaceOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 6 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - white: White - hispanic: Hispanic - black: Black - native: Native - asian: Asian - other: Other - multi: Multi ### Scriptures > *"“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."* - **Matthew 25:35-36** > *"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."* - **James 2:14-17** > *"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."* - **Isaiah 32:18** ### Prayers **Pray about your own perspective to change.** People facing housing insecurity are not people to avoid, and housing insecurity is not something you can catch by proximity. Prayerfully consider how God might open your eyes and your heart to the people who experience difficult circumstances. People facing housing insecurity are not people to avoid, and housing insecurity is not something you can catch by proximity. Prayerfully consider how God might open your eyes and your heart to the people who experience difficult circumstances. **Pray for a partner to share their experience.** Pray for someone that you know or trust who is involved in solving the issue of affordable housing to share their experience and how they are involved. God might bring someone along so you don’t have to enter this challenge alone. Start a conversation with those you know. **Pray for wisdom for leaders and policy makers. ** This is a complex issue requiring a depth of understanding and multiple factors to see positive progress. A challenge like creating more affordable housing will require many people and institutions to collaborate well. **Pray for those experiencing housing instability.** Pray that they would have stable housing and find peace that comes from a place to call home. ### Frequently Asked Questions **Q: This sounds like such a big problem. What is the best way for one individual in the community to help? Can I make a difference?** A: There are many ways to help. You can start by checking out the many initiatives that are already underway in the community. See the Get Involved section below. --- ## Reality: Immigrants & Refugees ### With nearly 30% of residents in Orange County are immigrants or refugees, the Church is presented with a unique opportunity to live out our Biblical call to love and welcome foreigners. Whether leaving your native country by choice or fleeing because of tragedy, finding your way in a new city can be difficult. Over the years, Orange County has seen an increase in both immigrants and refugees relocating to the city, particularly those coming from Spanish speaking countries. Connecting to a community remains an important part of successfully integrating and flourishing in a new home. As younger generations become an increasing number of the immigrants headed to the city, there is an opportunity for them to find a home here. Serving a multitude of languages and cultures creates ways for these new arrivals to begin to navigate a new life. Overall, these individuals tend to move into the city at a greater rate than the surrounding areas. ### Foreign Born * **Description**: Immigrants and Refugees tend to settle in cities more consistently than outlying and surrounding areas. See Sources & Definitions for more definitions of Immigrant and Refugee according to the Department of Homeland Security. * **Metric Field**: `foreignBornComparison` * **Current Value**: **[{"group":"foreign","value":0.30381765229861457},{"group":"native","value":0.6961823477013854}]** * **Sources**: U.S. Census Quick Facts Table 2021 * **Labels**: - native: US Born - foreign: Foreign-born ### Supporting Visualizations ### Non-English Language Breakdown * **Description**: According to the most recent American Community Survey, many people in Orange County area speak a language other than English at home. Indo-European languages are comprised of many languages. For full list see full sources and definitions. * **Metric Field**: `nonEnglishLanguagesSpoken` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 6 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - spanish: Spanish - indoEuropean: Indo-European - otherAsian: Other Asian - french: French - slavic: Slavic - other: Other - arabic: Arabic - chinese: Chinese - german: German - korean: Korean - rest: Other - tagalog: Tagalog - vietnamese: Vietnamese ### Language Speakers by Limited Proficiency * **Metric Field**: `languageSpeakers` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 6 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - spanish: Spanish - indoEuropean: Indo-European - otherAsian: Other Asian - french: French - slavic: Slavic - other: Other - arabic: Arabic - chinese: Chinese - german: German - korean: Korean - tagalog: Tagalog - vietnamese: Vietnamese ### Immigrants by Generation Breakdown * **Metric Field**: `immigrantsGenerationalBreakdown` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 6 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - gen-alpha: Gen Alpha - gen-z: Gen Z - millennials: Millennials - gen-x: Gen X - baby-boomers: Baby Boomers - silent-generation: Silent Generation ### Immigrant vs. Refugee % * **Description**: Data combines several geographies from National and State Agencies Refugees % is derived from the total number of immigrants. * **Metric Field**: `immigrant-vs-refugee-percentages` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: State Immigration Data Sheets & DHS LPR Profiles, 2021 * **Labels**: - aLabel: Immigrants - bLabel: Refugees ### Scriptures > *"“‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."* - **Leviticus 19: 33-34** > *"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."* - **Deuteronomy 10: 17-19** > *"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;"* - **Matthew 25: 35** ### Prayers **Pray for displaced families** Pray for families who have been displaced from their homes. The journey for many refugees is filled with hardship. Ask for God to provide for them and show you ways you might get involved. **Pray for a new friend** Pray for an opportunity to get to know someone from another country that is living in Charlotte. **Pray for courage to help** Ask God to show you where you can help. Engaging with a person from another country can feel like a big leap fro some people. Pray for the courage to step out and take action when the opportunity presents itself. --- ## Reality: Homelessness ### Chronic and recurring homelessness create unique challenges for the community to engage and offer support. Many factors contribute to individuals or families experiencing homelessness. Whether due to fragile socio-economic conditions or more acute issues like mental illness or substance abuse, there is no one-size-fits-all experience of homelessness. Chronically homeless individuals are often trapped in cycles of substance abuse and may face severe mental health challenges that create barriers to personal stability and growth. Conversely, many people experiencing recurring homelessness move in and out of consistent and safe shelter due to job loss, income disruption, or unexpected expenses. The broader community context also plays a crucial role. When adequate housing is unavailable, rising rents can turn once-stable homes into financial burdens that push individuals or families into homelessness. Supporting and caring for a city’s most vulnerable residents ultimately enhances the well-being of the entire community. ### Homeless Population * **Description**: Only available at county level. * **Metric Field**: `homelessPopulation` * **Current Value**: **7,322** * **Sources**: HUD HIC & PIT Estimates by CoC, 2007–2023 ### Supporting Visualizations ### People Experiencing Homeless for Every 1,000,000 people * **Metric Field**: `homelessnessPerCapitaOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 3 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year ### Beds to People * **Metric Field**: `shelterBedsToPeopleOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 2 items]** * **Sources**: HUD HIC & PIT Estimates by CoC, 2007–2023 ### Chronic Homelessness * **Description**: According to HUD A ‘‘chronically homeless’’ individual is defined to mean a homeless individual with a disability who lives either in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter, or in an institutional care facility if the individual has been living in the facility for fewer than 90 days and had been living in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter immediately before entering the institutional care facility. * **Metric Field**: `chronicHomelessnessOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 13 items]** * **Sources**: HUD HIC & PIT Estimates by CoC, 2007–2023 * **Labels**: - legend: Percent chronically homeless ### Recurring Homelessness * **Description**: Recurring homelessness refers to individuals often considered to be experiencing episodic or situational homelessness. This percentage shows those returning to shelters after receiving permanent housing within 24 months. * **Metric Field**: `recurringHomelessnessOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 10 items]** * **Sources**: HUD HIC & PIT Estimates by CoC, 2007–2023 * **Labels**: - legend: Percent returns in 24 months ### Scriptures > *"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."* - **Matthew 25: 35-40** > *"Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help."* - **Isaiah 58:7** > *"Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."* - **Psalm 107: 4-9** ### Prayers **Pray for those without shelter** Pray for safety, opportunity and hope for those experiencing homelessness. Pray that they would seek and find opportunities for help. Pray for their health, for food and shelter. **Pray for the community** Pray that the community would have soft hearts and open doors for those experiencing homelessness. Those facing homelessness can feel isolated from community. This can perpetuate a cycle of shame and create a negative spiral. Instead, pray for the community and your own engagement with the issue to become a welcoming face, not a judging voice. --- ## Reality: Childhood Literacy ### One of the most powerful ways the church can positively impact the trajectory of a child’s life is ensuring they can read proficiently by grade 3. Access to quality early childhood education is foundational to a child’s development and has long-term effects on a child’s life trajectory. One critical milestone in development and predictor of future mobility is a child's ability to read proficiently by grade 3, when education switches from learning to read to reading to learn. Children who are not proficient readers by the end of the 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Orange County continues to have significant disparities in grade level reading proficiency rates across race, gender, and income. ### Reading Proficiency Amongst Grade 4 Students * **Metric Field**: `proficiencyAmongstGrade4Students` * **Current Value**: **31.0%** * **Sources**: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading Assessment, 2022 ### Supporting Visualizations ### Reading Proficiency by Race * **Metric Field**: `readingProficiencyByRace` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 5 items]** * **Sources**: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading Assessment, 2022 * **Labels**: - 5: Native - 4: Asian - 2: Black - 3: Hispanic - 1: White - 6: Multi ### Reading Level by Economic Status * **Metric Field**: `readingLevelByEconomicStatusOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 2 items]** * **Sources**: NAEP Reading Assessment, 2013–2022 * **Labels**: - 1: Advantaged - 2: Disadvantaged ### Reading Proficiency Over Time * **Metric Field**: `readingProficiencyOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 3 items]** * **Sources**: U.S. Department of Education * **Labels**: - NT: National - NL: NAEP nationwide large-city benchmark ### Household Educational Attainment * **Description**: Data for Orange County * **Metric Field**: `householdEducationAttainment` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 5 items]** * **Sources**: ACS 5 year * **Labels**: - lessThanHighSchool: < High School - highSchool: High School - someCollege: Some College - bachelors: Bachelors - graduate: Graduate ### Scriptures > *"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”"* - **Matthew 19:14** > *"My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."* - **Psalm 78: 1-7** > *"“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."* - **1 Corinthians 10:23-24** ### Prayers **Pray for the imaginations of children to be opened by reading** Pray for the imaginations of children to be opened by reading. Sometimes a child just needs a spark that can ignite a love of reading. **Pray for understanding and wisdom in engaging this topic.** Pray for understanding and wisdom in engaging this topic. There are larger initiatives, and also one on one opportunities to help. One person helping a child learn to read can create an incredible impact in the life of a child. **Reflect and pray for what you can give to this cause.** Reflect and pray for what you can give to this cause. There are many ways to get involved. Consider ways you can engage your family, friends or community to help. ### Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What are the best ways to help a child learn to read?** A: See the Get Involved section below for organizations committed to helping address the reality of childhood literacy in Orange County. --- ## Reality: Church Growth / Decline ### Churches are active in Orange county, but how are people engaging with the Church? Studies show that there is a direct correlation to the number of congregations there are in a city to the psychological and health benefits as well as the social and economic impact. America in general has seen church attendance decline for many years. This decline has been increasing in younger generations at a greater rate than that of their parents and grandparents. Overall, this trend is measured from surveys that ask about church attendance. This is not the full story. Church attendance is only one way we can measure engagement with faith at this time, but we recognize that this is an imperfect measurement. Orange County has a large population, but many people are not finding their way to a church. Additionally, the number of churches planted has not kept pace. Overall, many faith groups report that they are static or declining in the number of congregations in Orange County. ### Total Churches * **Metric Field**: `homepage-total-churches` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). * **Labels**: - aLabel: Total churches in county - bLabel: Total churches in metro ### Supporting Visualizations ### Number of Churches Over Time * **Metric Field**: `congregationsOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[{"group":"1980","value":514},{"group":"1990","value":634},{"group":"2000","value":790.5},{"group":"2010","value":1134},{"group":"2020","value":1116}]** * **Sources**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). ### Faith Family Affiliation * **Metric Field**: `faithFamilyAffiliation` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 7 items]** * **Sources**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). * **Labels**: - Christian: Christian - Islam: Islam - Latter-day Saints: Latter-day Saints - Other: Other - Judaism: Judaism - Buddhism: Buddhism - Hinduism: Hinduism ### Adherents as % of Population * **Metric Field**: `adherentsPopulationOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 5 items]** * **Sources**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). ### % Denominations Reporting Church Growth, Decline or Flat * **Description**: This shows the percentage of denominations that reported either an increase, decrease, or no change from the number of churches in that denomination in the 10 years prior. This is based on denominations reporting whether they have net church growth, net church decline or have not opened or closed any churches. This data refers to congregations, not total adherents in a denomination. * **Metric Field**: `churchChangeOverTime` * **Current Value**: **[Dataset with 3 items]** * **Sources**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). * **Labels**: - Decrease: Fewer Churches - Increase: More Churches - Same: Same Number of Churches ### Scriptures > *"“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."* - **John 17: 20-23** > *"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."* - **1 Corinthians 12: 12-14** > *"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."* - **Romans 12: 4-5** > *"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."* - **Acts 2: 46-47** ### Prayers **Pray for Unity** Jesus prayed for the unity of all future believers, that they might be one just as Jesus and God the father were one. By the unity of the Church, Jesus said that people would believe in him and know he was in truth the son of God. In a world full of divisions, pray for unity among the Church. **Pray for Pastors** Leading a church is often a difficult and surprisingly lonely role. Pray for Pastors, who regularly face criticism for preaching the gospel. Pray for wisdom in their decisions and trusted friends and colleagues to help them lead well. **Pray for Those Serving** Each week a large number of volunteers are mobilized by churches to tutor kids in reading and math, to serve in food pantries and homeless shelters. Christians of all denominations are out consistently working for peace and to heal brokenness in cities. Pray that their work is fruitful and that Jesus is lifted up in their service. **Pray for Church Growth** Please pray for God to raise up church planters in our county who have hearts and a commitment to impact particular cities and people groups.  Pray for them to have creativity and to be able to create spaces to make and grow disciples throughout our county. --- ## Reality: Vulnerable Children ### Helping strengthen families for every child and equip the church to care for those in vulnerable circumstances. The Bible affirms, and science confirms, that children need the care of a loving family to thrive. That’s why we’re committed to finding or strengthening families for children and equipping the Church to support them. Every child deserves a loving, well supported and stable home. No two families are exactly the same. Each has a unique blend of ups and downs. Helping a family in crisis find a path of hope, help and healing is our goal. We do this by providing the gold standard of trauma-informed training and multidisciplinary services through collaboration with dozens of organizations. This all starts with the Church at the point of care. Children in the foster care system already face many challenges. When the community decides to step up and support children in foster care and care for the caseworkers and families that serve these children there can be real change in outcomes for many kids. Nearly half of the children in the foster care system are living with a foster family. Many live with a parent or relative and some are in group care or medical facilities. Foster children range in age from birth over 18 years old and often deal with multiple case workers throughout their time in foster care. The outcomes for children who are in the foster system until they age out are often bleak, with about half of the kids aging out of foster care will have a substance abuse problem. Roughly 60% of young men end up incarcerated and about 70% of young women will get pregnant before age 21. However, when these children are well supported, the community around them can significantly alter those outcomes. ### Total without placement in past 12 months * **Description**: Of all children entering care in the previous 12-month period who were still in foster care at selected time frames after entry, what percent were in their first, second, third, fourth, fifth or greater than fifth out-of-home placement? As of October 2024, * **Metric Field**: `total-without-placement-in-past-12-months` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu ### Supporting Visualizations ### Entry to Foster Care by Age * **Description**: October 2023 - September 2024 * **Metric Field**: `entry-to-foster-care-by-age` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu ### Foster Care Exit Status after 12 months * **Description**: The Kin-GAP program is a permanency option for children in long-term placement with relatives, which provides a monthly payment to the relative guardian. This program is intended to enhance family preservation and stability by providing relatives with an alternative route to permanency when reunification and adoption are not appropriate permanency options. * **Metric Field**: `foster-care-exit-status-after-12-months` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu ### Median Length of Stay * **Metric Field**: `median-length-of-stay` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) * **Sources**: Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu ### Total in Foster Care * **Metric Field**: `total-in-foster-care` * **Current Value**: N/A (Data not loaded) ### Scriptures > *"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up & judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."* - **Proverbs 31: 8-9** > *"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."* - **Micah 6:8** > *"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."* - **James 1:27** ### Prayers **Pray for youth in foster care** - Pray that youth waiting for permanency will quickly receive it, and that they will be safe and well cared for in the interim. - Pray that youth in care will find healing and wholeness after experiencing various types of trauma. - Pray that youth will come to know that God sees and cares for them and build resilience from this knowledge. **Pray for birth, kinship & foster families** - Pray that birth parents receive the support they need to allow for quick, safe reunification with as little trauma to the child as possible. - Pray for a positive, collaborative relationship between birth families, DSS, and foster/kinship parents. - Pray that families will find freedom from poverty, addiction, violence, and other circumstantial issues that often lead to abuse/neglect. - Pray that foster/kinship parents have a community that surrounds them and cares for them well as they do this hard but meaningful work. **Pray for Social Workers** - Pray that social workers and supervisors will have discernment and wisdom as they make decisions that affect families. - Pray against cynicism and burnout and for social workers to have the support they need to thrive. - Pray for the physical safety and mental/emotional health of social workers as they engage with child abuse and neglect. --- ## Definitions ### Business ownership Business ownership is defined as having more than 50% of the stock or equity in the business and is categorized by sex, ethnicity, race, and veteran status. Business ownership is defined as having more than 50% of the stock or equity in the business and is categorized by sex, ethnicity, race, and veteran status. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey (ABS). ### Chronic Homelessness According to HUD, a 'chronically homeless' individual is a disabled individual who has been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years totaling 12 months. According to HUD, a 'chronically homeless' individual is defined as a homeless individual with a disability who lives either in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter, or in an institutional care facility if they have been residing there for fewer than 90 days and met the criteria before entering. For more detail, see the HUD definition at Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 233. ### Civilian Labor Force All non-institutionalized civilians who are either employed or unemployed. All non-institutionalized civilians who are either employed or unemployed. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ### Civilian Non-institutionalized Population All U.S. civilians not residing in institutional group quarters facilities such as correctional institutions, juvenile facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and other long-term care living arrangements. All U.S. civilians not residing in institutional group quarters facilities such as correctional institutions, juvenile facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and other long-term care living arrangements. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ### Economically Disadvantaged Any student identified by a Public School Unit (PSU) meeting the criteria of Directly Certified, Categorically Eligible, or a method consistent with state or federal guidance for financial assistance. Economically Disadvantaged status is defined as any student identified by a Public School Unit (PSU), meeting the criteria of Directly Certified, Categorically Eligible, or a method consistent with state or federal guidance for financial assistance regardless of participation or eligibility in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Source: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. ### Educational Attainment The highest level of education an individual has completed, typically classified into categories such as High School Graduate, Bachelor's Degree, or Higher. Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education an individual has completed. Data is typically collected for the population aged 25 and older to measure the educational profile of a community. Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). ### Families in Poverty To calculate total family income, the incomes of all related family members that live together are added up to determine poverty status. To calculate total family income, the incomes of all related family members that live together are added up to determine poverty status. If an individual or group of individuals (such as housemates) are not living with family members, their own individual income is compared with their individual poverty threshold. For more detail see the U.S. Census Bureau guidelines. ### Immigrant Any person lawfully in the United States who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or person admitted under a nonimmigrant category. Any person lawfully in the United States who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or person admitted under a nonimmigrant category as defined by the INA Section 101(a)(15). Source: Department of Homeland Security. ### Indo-European Languages A large language family including Haitian, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Greek, Russian, Polish, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and others. A large language family including Haitian, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Greek, Russian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Bulgarian, Czech, Ukrainian, Armenian, Persian, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Nepali, Marathi, Albanian, Lithuanian, Pashto, Romanian, Swedish, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and other related languages. ### OPPLA (Other Planned Permanent Living Arrangement) A permanency option for youth in foster care when other options such as reunification, adoption, or guardianship have been ruled out. Other planned permanent living arrangement (OPPLA). This is a permanency option only when other options such as reunification, adoption, or guardianship have been ruled out. It typically involves placement in a foster home or independent living arrangement with a long-term plan. ### Recurring Homelessness An individual or family returning to homelessness after having exited a homeless program to a permanent housing destination. An individual or family returning to homelessness after having exited a homeless program to a permanent housing destination. HUD tracks this metric as part of System Performance Measures (Measure 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of local housing systems. ### Refugee Status granted to an individual, prior to departure for and arrival in the United States, who has been determined by competent authority to be fleeing persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their own country because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Status granted to an individual, prior to departure for and arrival in the United States, who has been determined by competent authority to be fleeing persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their own country because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Source: Department of Homeland Security. ### Total Adherents All members of a congregation, including full members, their children, and other regular participants who are not formal members. All members, including full members, their children, and the estimated number of other participants who are not considered members; for example, the 'baptized,' 'those not confirmed,' 'those not eligible for Communion,' 'those regularly attending services,' and the like. Source: U.S. Religion Census (ASARB). --- ## Data Sources ### ACS 5 year (Published by Government) * **Citation**: American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2020-2024) * **URL**: [https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.html](https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.html) ### American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2019-2023) * **Citation**: American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2019-2023) ### U.S. Census Quick Facts Table 2021 (Published by Government) * **Citation**: U.S. Census Quick Facts Table 2021 ### State Immigration Data Sheets & DHS LPR Profiles, 2021 (Published by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) * **Citation**: United States. Department of Homeland Security. 2023 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, 2023. ### State Immigration Data Sheets FY 2021 & DHS 2021 Profiles on Lawful Permanent Residents * **Citation**: State Immigration Data Sheets FY 2021 & DHS 2021 Profiles on Lawful Permanent Residents ### HUD HIC & PIT Estimates by CoC, 2007–2023 (Published by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)) * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2007-2023 PIT Estimates by CoC. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/3031/pit-and-hic-data-since-2007/ U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CoC System Performance Measures Data Since FY 2015. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5691/system-performance-measures-data-since-fy-2015/ ### U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2007-2023 PIT Estimates by CoC. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2007-2023 PIT Estimates by CoC. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ### ACS5 most recent; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2007-2023 PIT Estimates by CoC. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. * **Citation**: ACS5 most recent; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2007-2023 PIT Estimates by CoC. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ### U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CoC System Performance Measures Data Since FY 2015. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CoC System Performance Measures Data Since FY 2015. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ### National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading Assessment, 2022 (Published by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)) * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2022 Reading Assessment. ### U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2022 Reading Assessment. * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2022 Reading Assessment. ### NAEP Reading Assessment, 2013–2022 (Published by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)) * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 Reading Assessment. ### U.S. Department of Education (Published by Government) * **Citation**: U.S. Department of Education ### Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). (Published by Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA)) * **Citation**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). ### Locally sourced church network database * **Citation**: Locally sourced church network database ### Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). * **Citation**: Grammich, C. A., Dollhopf, E., Gautier, M., Houseal, R., Jones, D. E., Krindatch, A., ... Thumma, S. (2023, March 31). U.S. Religion Census - Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2020 (County File). ### Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu * **Citation**: Webster, D., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Wiegmann, W., Saika, G., Courtney, M., Eastman, A.L., Gomez, A., Guo, S., Zhang, A., Carrera, Y., Dua, A., Berwick, H., Lu, F., Hoerl, C., Yee, H., Gonzalez, A., Gomez Hernandez, F., Ensele, P., Nevin, J., & Michel, J. (2025) CCWIP reports. Retrieved Feb 23, 2025, from University of California at Berkeley California Child Welfare Indicators Project website. URL: https://ccwip.berkeley.edu