Celia Becker
Research Mentor: Ashley Anderson
Mentor Department: Washtenaw Alliance for Children and Youth (WACY), NonUM
Author(s): Celia Becker, Ashley Anderson, Eleana Anderson
Session: Session 1 (9:00 AM – 9:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 53
Abstract
Understanding youth well-being is essential for building a strong community. In Washtenaw County, disparities in academic performance, health outcomes, and social-emotional well-being persist across socioeconomic and racial groups. While data on these indicators exist, they are often scattered across multiple sources and not always accessible or easy to understand. The Washtenaw Alliance for Children and Youth (WACY) Annual Report on Youth Well-Being addresses this by collecting and analyzing data through an equity-based lens that highlights differences in outcomes between groups. One way to better understand financial hardship is by examining ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, which include families who earn above the poverty line yet still struggle to afford basic needs. While data using the ALICE measure are currently limited, future reports aim to incorporate ALICE data when available. To complete this project, I analyzed secondary data from established state and county sources, including MISchoolData and the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY). Indicators were organized into three main categories: academic outcomes, health, and social-emotional well-being. I used Microsoft Excel and Adobe Creative Cloud to organize the data and design visual summaries. The analysis revealed consistent disparities between economically disadvantaged students and their peers. These students showed lower academic proficiency and higher rates of certain health and behavioral risk factors. Racial disparities frequently overlapped with economic disadvantage. While some indicators showed slight improvement over time, most gaps were consistent with previous years’ data. The findings highlight that youth well-being is interconnected across academic, health, and social domains. Addressing only one area is not sufficient to close gaps. This research is valuable because it provides community stakeholders with clear, equity-focused data to use for grant proposals, resource allocation decisions, and a better understanding of the needs of young people. By making the data accessible, the report helps support long-term efforts to create more equitable outcomes for youth in Washtenaw County.
