Abstract
In the desert north of Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley is home to about 120,000 children. The area has a higher proportion of children than any other region in Los Angeles County. Antelope Valley residents have historically faced social, structural, and geographic factors that lead to poorer access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunity relative to residents elsewhere in Los Angeles County.
Several high-profile child abuse fatalities and multiple investigations into law enforcement and school practices galvanized efforts to improve child safety and family wellbeing in the Antelope Valley with the goal of keeping families safely together in the community and safely returning children home from foster care. This work involved considerable investments by Antelope Valley community members, grassroots coalitions, nonprofit service providers, philanthropists, local officials, and county leadership. Recent data indicate that consequences of the coronavirus pandemic hindered progress toward improving the wellbeing of children and families in the area. Compared to other parts of Los Angeles County, the Antelope Valley continues to experience significant disparities in child welfare system involvement, educational outcomes, healthcare access, and economic stability. This landscape assessment aims to (1) summarize key metrics associated with child safety and family wellbeing, (2) contextualize trends over the last decade, and (3) identify opportunities for increased or sustained investment to strengthen the quality and accessibility of resources for families in the Antelope Valley.
Key Takeaways
Antelope Valley children continue to experience child welfare system involvement at higher rates compared to countywide rates. Since 2022, however, foster care entries have steadily decreased in the Antelope Valley, particularly for Black children.
As child welfare system involvement decreases, the Antelope Valley will benefit from increased capacity among other child and family-serving agencies to support the safety of children and families in their communities.
Health and developmental disparities in the Antelope Valley begin at birth and are exacerbated by limited access to preventive medical and mental healthcare. Efforts to improve health outcomes and access to care were hindered by the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
Academic milestone data suggest that Antelope Valley school districts and education professionals are not sufficiently resourced to meet the educational needs of the region’s growing student body.
Punitive actions and discriminatory treatment of Black and disabled students make it challenging for students to feel safe in school, prioritize learning, or perform academically.
Relative to Los Angeles County, Antelope Valley families face disparate levels of poverty, and contend with barriers to local employment and quality childcare resources.
Event — UCLA x Antelope Valley: Investment, Innovation and Impact for Children and Families
On May 27, the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families hosted the event, UCLA x Antelope Valley: Investment, Innovation, and Impact for Children and Families in Lancaster, welcoming community members, partners, civic leaders, and advocates committed to supporting children and families across the Antelope Valley. The event recording will be available soon.