Item 6- Presentation of findings and recommendations from the Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children — original pdf

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Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children September 2025 Update Providing High Quality Research, Evaluation, & Technical Assistance for Making Informed & Equitable Decisions RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Agenda • Welcome • Review of Study Methods • Outreach activities • Overview of Findings • Discussion of Recommendations • Next Steps Mixed-Methods Approach Landscape Analysis Focus Groups Caregiver Survey Outreach Methods RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Study Outreach • On-the-ground operations: • Connecting with community organizations • Attending community events • Attending special interest events • Connected directly with families and capturing their interest early on • Over 500 caregivers expressed interest in participating • Word-of-mouth/snowball • Several caregivers shared the study flyers, survey links, and interest forms to friends and family Study Results Sample Descriptions RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Survey Response Details • Total Completes: 569 (114% of goal) • Average respondent age: 35.9 (range: 20-68) • Relationship to child: 74% were biological parents • Age of child: 82% were born between June 2020 and December 2023 Gender 58% Female 35% Male 5% 1% Non-Binary Trans Female Or Woman Race/Ethnicity 6% 8% 8% 9% 15% 24% 29% Middle Eastern or North African Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Asian or Asian American Native American Indian or Latina/o/x/e or Hispanic White Black or African American Alaskan Native or Indigenous Immigration Status 143 respondents (25%) indicated having immigrated or being related to someone who has immigrated to the US: 4% 9% 10% 13% Refugee/asylum seeker Migrated as a child or adult Child of an immigrant or refugee Family member of an immigrant or refugee Focus Group Demographics • 5 focus groups and 1 interview, 38 participants • Demographics: • 94% participants are Black/African American • 3% Native American Indian or Alaskan Native or Indigenous; 3% Hispanic • 50% participant had household income between $15,000 - $44,999 • Diverse mix of caregivers represented (parent, kinship, step-parents, aunts/uncle, sibling, foster parent) • Gender identity: 65% female; 32% male; 3% trans female or woman Defining Quality of Life For caretakers, QoL blends security and stability with health, happiness, meaningful connections, and the freedom to live in a way that aligns with one’s values and aspirations. “… I would actually say that quality of life for me and my family means the overall well-being and satisfaction of my family. And to me, I think it involves not just physical health. It involves education and environmental quality…” “having a safe and comfortable living condition. And then also being able to nurture relationships and social connections” Health RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Health Mental Health and Stress among Caregivers • Childcare and Work Strain: High childcare costs, limited flexible hours, and the stress of balancing family and professional responsibilities contribute to anxiety, financial strain, and reduced quality of life. Social and Political Pressures • Recent political changes have mixed impacts, with some participants unaffected while others express heightened concerns about safety, rights, and restrictions. Healthcare Access and Quality • Families emphasize the need for affordable, accessible, and non- discriminatory healthcare, with hospitals preferred for comprehensive services, but barriers such as discrimination, limited providers, and poor customer service persist Children with Disabilities Developmental (31%) Intellectual (30%) 30% of children have at least one disability Physical (27%) Learning (26%) 30% of caregivers experience serious difficulty with activities of daily living due to physical, mental, or emotional health conditions Housing and Neighborhood RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Housing Home Ownership Own 20% Rent 79% Monthly Housing Costs 2% 19% 50% 32% >$3,000 $2,000 - $3,000 $1,000 - $2,000 <$1,000 Housing Security Most families are spending ≥50% of their household income on housing: <$15K $15,000-$29,999 $30,000-$44,999 $45,000-$59,999 e m o c n I l d o h e s u o H 93% 83% 88% 50% $60,000-$74,999 27% $75,000-$99,999 14% % of caregivers spending ≥50% of their household income on housing Neighborhood Characteristics Safety Physical Environment Belonging Access Neighborhood "I love the fact that I have neighbors who understand what I'm going through. I mean, I'm a widow, so they understand what I'm going through. They are very nice to my children. They understand that I'm young, and the old we have aunties who come around, not related by blood, but they come around. They come around with casseroles, they come around with food, they check on my children, they check on me. That's what I love about my neighborhood. If I do not have the funds to access a daycare, I just have to take them to an auntie's place, and they take care of them while I go to work." Employment RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Employment 89% Currently Employed Used Career Support Services Job Training (26.1%) & Career/job fairs (21.3%) were most used. 52% 90% Expressed Satisfaction with the Services Received Employment Barriers and Employment Impact • The lack of affordable, reliable childcare often forces parents to reduce hours, leave jobs, or change careers, while single-income transitions (e.g., divorce, spousal loss, stay-at-home- caretaker) add financial strain, and some parents delay working altogether until stable caregiving is secured Workplace Challenges • Parents often face difficulty balancing professional and family responsibilities. Limited workplace flexibility (scheduling) and unsupportive employers add stress. Support Systems • Supportive partners, family, and formal caregivers help ease stress, while broader community and policy supports such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, flexible schedules, and mental health services are essential for balancing work and caregiving Finances RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Income 3% 6% 91% <$100K $100-150K >$150K Sources of Debt Student Loans (11%) Medical Debt (24%) Car Loan (25%) Mortgage (40%) Credit Cards (42%) Personal Loans (43%) 72% paid a late fee in the past 2 months 83% say debt impacts bills and savings Food Insecurity 77% 74% 68% 56% Worried about food running out Food didn't last, and didn’t have money for more Adults who ate less or skipped meals because of costs Adults who were hungry and didn't eat because there wasn't enough money for food Top Sources of Support: Friends/Family (73%), Central TX Food Bank (25%), & Other Food Pantries (25%) Childcare RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Sources of Childcare Relative 20% Friend/ Neighbor 23% Child’s Parent/ Caregiver 53% Childcare Center 56% Public Pre- K/K 23% Nanny/ Babysitter 34% Home- based Childcare 28% Paying for Childcare In the past 12 months, most (78%) caregivers experienced some difficulty paying for childcare. Caregivers received support for childcare related expenses from these groups: • Childcare provider stipend/subsidy (30%) • Employer stipend/subsidy (20%) • Workforce Solutions childcare stipend/subsidy (16%) • Did not receive support (41%) Parenting Support RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Participation in Parent Support Programs 38% Parent Education Programs 29% WIC 29% 27% 22% Family Connects Home Visiting Did not participate Learning About Services Friends & Family 73% Childcare Provider 64% Google/Internet Search 58% Pediatrician 51% Findhelp.org 40% 2-1-1 (ConnectATX) 18% When trying to find information about programs and services for their family, caregivers relied on these sources most. Key Takeaways RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Key Takeaways Financial strain is pervasive High housing, childcare, and healthcare costs limit stability and force trade-offs (late bill payments, food insecurity, delayed employment/education). Childcare challenges ripple outward Unreliable and expensive childcare impacts employment, mental health, and family well-being. Health is fragile and inequitable Caregivers report high stress, limited healthcare access, and persistent barriers related to affordability, provider shortages, and discrimination. Neighborhood & Safety perceptions are mixed Strong community ties exist, but crime, mistrust of law enforcement, and uneven emergency response erode security. Social supports buffer, but are insufficient Families rely heavily on friends, relatives, and community resources; government and nonprofit supports are helpful but not always accessible or consistent. Quality of life is defined broadly Caregivers view it as a combination of stability, meaningful relationships, health, education, and alignment with values, not just economic security Recommendations RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Recommendations From Caregiver Childcare Access and Affordability • Expansion of childcare with flexible hours and providing low-cost or free options through a childcare subsidy Community Resources and Infrastructure • Creating more well-lit neighborhoods, increasing child friendly outdoor spaces, providing access to public transportation, and facilitating stricter law enforcement training to reduce racial bias and discrimination Access to Information and Resources • Clearer communication and guidance on available government and community resources as well as parenting best-practices via parent education DIR Recommendations Strengthen Affordable Childcare Access Expand subsidies, employer partnerships, and flexible care models (e.g., extended hours, neighborhood hubs). Bolster Housing Stability Explore rent stabilization, expanded rental assistance, and pathways to affordable homeownership. Improve Healthcare Access & Responsiveness Increase affordable and culturally competent providers; address discrimination and customer service concerns. Support Economic Security Provide workforce supports such as paid family leave, flexible scheduling, and training/education re-entry programs. Invest in Community-Based Supports Fund food security, parenting programs, and mental health services; strengthen local organizations trusted by families. Build Trust in Public Safety & Institutions Partner with community leaders to improve police-community relations and ensure reliable emergency services. Next Steps RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Next Steps • ECC Workgroup will review revised study findings and recommendations next week. • Final report delivered to ECC Workgroup by 9/26/2025 • Public Use documents delivered by 9/30/2025 Questions? Thank You