Children in father-absent homes are more likely to be poor. In Memphis, 87 percent of children in poverty live with unmarried parents.
Families in Transition (FIT) is a transitional supportive housing program designed to support to homeless, pregnant women and their children. FIT links agencies together to provide wrap-around services designed to move women and children toward self-sufficient living.
The biological and behavioral effects of early chronic stress shape early brain development, create a barrier to a child’s success and happiness, and affect the way that he or she will deal with stress throughout life.
An ongoing cohort study of Shelby County mothers1 suggests that eight percent of pregnant mothers may regularly experience high levels of prenatal stress, placing their babies, and their early cognitive development at risk.
As unemployment and poverty rates continue to rise, food hardship and poor nutrition increase as well, particularly when it comes to families with young children. Nutrition is critical to promoting optimal early childhood brain development.
When families with young children can count on a steady income, they are better able to support their children’s early brain development. This is a particular issue as unemployment rates hover around 10 percent in our Memphis community.