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What Latino families need now
The nation's most comprehensive study of COVID-19 impacts on Latino communities and how policy makers should respond
INTRODUCTION
In a matter of months, Latino American lives have drastically changed. Here are the real stories and real solutions.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused catastrophic outcomes worldwide, and continues to worsen across the United States. Latinos are some of the hardest hit by COVID-19—four times more likely to be hospitalized than whites, according to the CDC. However, it’s not just the infection rate that has made this health crisis so lethal. The pandemic has revealed deep inequities in the United States’ healthcare, social safety net, and education systems. With one of the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression in the 1930s, Latino families are struggling to pay bills, homeschool their children, and find the healthcare they need.
Additionally, the country is reeling from escalating racist violence, causing historic social uprisings in the name of Black Lives Matter. Thus far in 2020, the American economic and cultural landscape has changed drastically, bringing equity and racial justice to the forefront of the national conversation.
Latino families contribute more than $700 billion to the economy annually, according to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and own over four million U.S. businesses. They are the second largest racial group behind white non-Hispanics, according to the Pew Research Center, and make up 28% of public school students. Studies show working Latino families—entrepreneurs, small business owners, day laborers, skilled workers, childcare providers, and parents—are the linchpin of the United States’ economic vitality. The future of our country is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of Latino families.
their students are falling behind
83% of parents are worried
may experience police violence
81% of parents fear their children
businesses negatively impacted
1 in 3 Latino families have seen their
This report is a collection of data and stories from the most comprehensive national survey of Latino families about COVID-19 to date. This research gives a 360 degree view of the real-life impacts of the pandemic, and details what families say they need to survive, adapt, and grow in these unprecedented circumstances.
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Survey conducted by Latino Decisions in partnership with Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors.
Education
Education
Latino families are seeing their children fall behind in school using distance learning. However, because Latino communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, parents feel increased anxiety about the health risks of sending their children back to school.
The problems
Latino families do not have adequate internet access or computers, and their children are falling behind in school. Parents struggle to troubleshoot new technologies and support the teaching of new subject matter.
Key concerns:
COVID AND HEALTH
of parents considered not sending their children to school or childcare due to fear of COVID-19
FALLING BEHIND
of families are worried their children are falling behind in school
TECHNOLOGY
of parents report they do not have enough computers, tablets, or laptops to support distance learning
UNFAMILIAR MATERIAL
of parents report difficulty helping their children because they are too unfamiliar with class material
INTERNET
of families do not have regular access to the internet; 37% of whom only have access from their cellphones
Most important issues government should address
Top challenges for distance learning
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS
0%
of parents feel learning is more difficult now because it harder to communicate with teachers
CLASSWORK DIFFICULTY
0%
of parents feel it is difficult to help kids with online schooling because they are not
as familiar with the class subjects and assignments
TECHNICAL ISSUES
0%
of parents feel online school work has been difficult because of technical problems, such as
websites or programs not working
HIGH INTERNET COST
0%
of parents find their internet and/or cell phone bill is much higher now because increased usage is needed for online school
LACK OF HARDWARE
0%
of parents do not have enough computers, laptops, or tablets for everyone in the household
Subjects parents are concerned their children are falling behind in
“As parents we have not studied at the same level as teachers and we cannot offer the same level of education at home to our children.”
-Maria Ventura, Brooklyn, NY
Education
Education
Latino families are seeing their children fall behind in school using distance learning. However, because Latino communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, parents feel increased anxiety about the health risks of sending their children back to school.
The solutions
Latino parents are asking for more direct communication with teachers, better ways to monitor their students’ progress, and more tech help for online learning tools.
Biggest needs:
NEED TECH SUPPORT
of parents requested more technical support with learning websites, programs, apps
MORE TUTORING
of parents requested more one-on-one tutoring options for their children
TIME WITH TEACHERS
of parents requested more in-person or virtual time with teachers
MORE DIRECTION
of parents requested more direction on creating at-home learning schedules
BETTER INTERNET
of families requested better or more reliable internet
Solutions parents support to feel safer returning to school during COVID-19
How schools and teachers can best help kids catch up
How to help parents with remote learning
SOFTWARE
Parent who need updated software to be compatible with their school's technology
77%
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Parents who need additional emotional support counseling for their children
68%
Parents who need guidance on how to safely provide social interaction for their children
76%
INSTRUCTION
Parents who request more virtual instruction directly from children's teachers
75%
DIRECTIONS
Parents who request more direction on creating at-home learning schedules or lesson plans
74%
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Parents who request more direction on creating at-home learning schedules or lesson plans
73%
TECH HELP
Parents needing more orientation to understand how to use video conferencing (Zoom, Google Hangout etc)
71%
Parents who need more technical support with learning websites, programs, apps
70%
TUTORING
Parents who ask for more tutoring or extra help for their child
69%
OFFLINE WORK
Parents who ask for more printed materials/assignments that do not require the computer or internet
68%
PRINTERS
Parents who need better printers and/or cartridges
66%
COMPUTERS
Parents who need a computer provided by the school/do not have one at home
62%
Communication parents need
“In the second month of the pandemic, our internet got cut off. My older children did school through their phones, but the mobile hotspot was not big enough to do a Zoom meeting. Having no wifi made online learning so difficult.”
-Joana Perez, Los Angeles, CA
Economic Security
Economic Security
The job loss in the wake of COVID-19 closures has been catastrophic for Latino communities. Immigrant parents, whose jobs are often essential but unstable, have been the hardest hit. Immigrant and mixed-status families were disqualified from federal stimulus aid, further exacerbating their precarious financial security.
The problems
Many families are struggling to pay rent and find healthcare—and they are draining their emergency savings to stay afloat.
Key concerns:
LOST HEALTH INSURANCE
of families lost employer-provided health insurance; 54% lost coverage for their children as well
EMPTIED SAVINGS
of families report having less than $1,000 in savings; 20% have less than $100
CAN’T PAY RENT
of families are concerned they can’t keep up with rent/mortgage, utilities, and/or food
LOST SMALL BUSINESS
of families have either seen their business shut down and/or significant drops in revenue
“The fact that 1 in 3 Latino families have seen their businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 is an inauspicious sign for the economic health of the small-business sector.”
-The Brookings Institute
How COVID-19 affected jobs:
0%
Had work hours cut, or pay cut, but kept their job
0%
Continue to go to work outside of the house
0%
Had trouble making rent or mortgage payment
0%
Have lost a significant amount of retirement savings
0%
Have had personal business shut down or seen drop in revenue
0%
Lost their job
How much money families currently have in savings
Biggest fears:
0%
fear they will not keep up with basic expenses like rent/mortgage, utilities, or food due to layoffs or pay cuts
0%
fear that they or someone in their household will lose their job
0%
fear that they or someone in their household will lose health insurance
“As parents we do not receive any help, and rent just goes up and up. We had some savings, hoping for rent payments to be frozen, but had to use it so we don't get evicted.”
-Lucia Cielo, Brooklyn, NY
Economic Security
Economic Security
The job loss in the wake of COVID-19 closures has been catastrophic for Latino communities. Immigrant parents, whose jobs are often essential but unstable, have been the hardest hit. Immigrant and mixed-status families were disqualified from federal stimulus aid, further exacerbating their precarious financial security.
The solutions
Latino families are asking for more federal, state, and local government aid, regardless of immigration status—especially for housing.
Key assistance needed:
HOUSING HELP
of families need help lowering monthly payments for housing, rent, and mortgages
HELP FOR KIDS
support allowing all children who are U.S. citizens to be eligible for stimulus checks, regardless of their parents’ immigration status
HELP FOR IMMIGRANTS
support allowing undocumented immigrants who currently pay federal income taxes to be eligible for stimulus checks
How to help stabilize housing insecurity
Solutions families support
INCLUDE UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES
Allow undocumented immigrants who currently pay federal income taxes to be eligible for stimulus checks
76%
Allow all children who are U.S. citizens to be eligible for stimulus checks, regardless of their parents’ immigration status
82%
SICK LEAVE
Ensure paid sick leave for all workers – so that those who are sick or have sick family members can take time off without losing pay
81%
VIRUS TESTING
Funding for more coronavirus testing for all
80%
COVID-19 TREATMENTS
Funding for coronavirus treatment for all
80%
BUSINESS LOANS
Create a new fund for small business and self-employment loans, just for people who missed out on the first round
78%
VOTING
Funding for states to provide vote-by-mail or absentee voting for people who do not want to vote in-person
77%
UNEMPLOYMENT
Expand unemployment insurance so that people who are still out of work because of coronavirus will continue to receive unemployment benefits
76%
STATE FUNDING
Funding for state and local governments that are running out of money due to the crisis, so that they can continue to provide essential services and will not cut jobs
75%
HOUSING HELP
Financial assistance to support rent or mortgage payment
78%
CAREER HELP
Additional support for career counseling
61%
Additional support for education counseling
67%
“The government should provide more help to support workforce and education development of adults, especially undocumented people. I really hope the U.S. continues the DREAM Act, because it was the only way I was able to grow professionally and educationally.”
-Ofelia Bucio, Homestead, FL
Racial
Justice
Racial
Justice
African Americans are most likely to be involved in police shootings, with Latinos close behind. Latino men are 1.4 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than whites. In response to the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and the resulting protests and civil unrest, Latino parents are taking the opportunity to talk with their families about the similar violence they’ve experienced, and how Black Lives Matter is a collective struggle.
Many Latino parents have experienced police brutality personally, and are worried their children will also face persecution and violence.
The findings:
of parents used the George Floyd video as an opportunity to speak with their children about racism and racial bias
of respondents have experienced an incident of excessive force by law enforcement
of parents are concerned their child may experience excessive force in their lifetime
"The sea of faces included young Latinos who had marched before, during the immigrant rights movement a decade ago...There was no doubt in these protesters’ minds: Their fights against racism are bound up together."
-"Latinos Back Black Lives Matter Protests" The New York TimesClick to read the article
How Latinos relate to the pain and frustration of the Black Lives Matter movement
0%
of parents are concerned that their child may experience excessive force by law enforcement at some point in their lives
0%
of families agree that Latinos face similar experiences with law enforcement
“I want my children to learn more about Black history, not just during the month of February. I want to see more Black politicians, law enforcement, and entrepreneurs so that our children know that they can be more than just athletes and music artists.”
-Esperanza Olan, Alamo, TX
Share this report with your legislators, school district leaders, and lawmakers.
Download the Latino Parent Voices report
Download the policy recommendations
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Report Compiled by:
Latino Decisions
The leader in Latino political opinion research, Latino Decisions is comprised of credentialed research scientists with established publication records, rigorous methodological training, and experience with large-scale collaborative research projects. Latino Decisions produces the most accurate information about Latino political attitudes, experiences, and engagement. More information at latinodecisions.com.
Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors creates parent leadership approaches to assist families in building a strong early childhood foundation for their development in reading, math, technology, and health. The evidence-based program has served over 112,000 families in more than 380 cities, creating stronger parent advocates and better education outcomes for children across the U.S. Find out more at ap-od.org.
Survey Methodology
Latino Decisions collected opinions from 1,195 Latino parents and grandparents using a blended approach that included online surveys, and live telephone interviews conducted via landlines and cell phones. The survey was available in English or Spanish and carries an overall +/- 2.8% margin of error, with larger margins for sub-samples. Upon completion, the data were weighted to match the U.S. Census ACS for parents and grandparents of Latino origin. The survey was conducted from June 12 to June 19, 2020. This survey’s results are to our knowledge the most comprehensive study of Hispanic/Latino families regarding COVID-19.
Special thanks
A very special thanks to all the parents who lent their voices to this report, and the family-serving organizations who served as trusted liaisons:
Esperanza Olan and family, Lucia Cielo and family, Maria Ventura and family, Joana Perez and family, Ofelia Bucio and family, Dr. Gabriel Sanchez and the Latino Decisions team, Cypress Hills Childcare Corporation, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, UTRGV Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, and St. Anne's Center.
Webpage designed by
MediaDesk
Photo credits
Joana Perez
David J Phillip
Maria Ventura
Lucio Cielo
Tom Gowanlock
Richard Thorton
David J Phillip
Rebecca Blackwell
Ofelia Bucio
Daniel Arauz
Maverick Pictures
Ruslana Lurchenko
Geoff Livingston
Esperanza Olan