Education and health providers in Los Angeles County will gather to discuss implications of new findings
Los Angeles – Research from the University of Southern California (USC) Population Dynamics Research Group shows a slow down in the number of Latino immigrants coming to California and a slow down in the number of babies born to Latina immigrants.
This new research is contrary to previously held views on immigration patterns to California, revealing that previous demographic research is out of date. More specific, new population data will be revealed at the USC Demographic Workshop on Monday, May 23 at USC.
For Los Angeles County, California's most populous county, the change in demographics is particularly important. "We are in the midst of a huge demographic shift in Los Angeles County's population. The huge immigration influx is slowing way down. About half of our children are second generation. The implications of this on education and health are enormous," said Dr. Julie Park of USC Population Dynamics Research Group. "While the public perception has not caught up with the data, it is obvious that immigration and immigrant births are slowing down. It is important that providers of health care and education understand that we are working in a much different environment than we were a decade ago," indicated Dr. Park.
First 5 LA has been following demographic trends in LA County for several years. According to Armando Jimenez, Director of Research & Evaluation, "For First 5 LA, this new research provides an opportunity for providers to more effectively deliver services. Understanding this demographic shift will influence how we deliver services to our children and will make us more effective in improving the health and the educational performance of our children," said Jimenez.
The Demographics Workshop, sponsored in part by First 5 LA, will be held on Monday, May 23, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the USC Davidson Conference Center located at 3415 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089. For more information, contact Kris Ihori at (213) 821-1518.
Created in 1998 by a voter initiative, First 5 LA uses tobacco tax revenue to fund a variety of early childhood development programs to children from the prenatal stage to age 5 and their families in Los Angeles County. |
