Many Oregon families and children are still living as if we’re still in the Great Recession, reported by new national and state data being released Tuesday. Almost a third of children are living in families where no parent has full-time employment.
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According to the report, more than a half million Michigan children are living in poverty. That compares with 18 percent just five years earlier.
However, the state still ranks 49 out of 50 states in children’s economic well-being, the foundation says in its annual report, and 38 in overall well-being.
Thanks largely to its vigorous implementation of Obamacare, California has jumped from 26 to 14 in state-by-state rankings of children’s health wellbeing compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen the state fund an additional 21,000 slots for preschool for the neediest kids in our state”, Mindnich said. “We’re in a better position than most states to invest in kids, but support hasn’t kept up with pressures families have felt since the recession”. Far too many families are still struggling to provide for the day-to-day needs of their children, notably for the 16 million kids who are living in poverty. It shows that a decline in child deaths and substance abuse has pushed Minnesota into the top spot in measurements of economic well-being, health care, education and family and community issues.
“Children who grow up in poverty, especially when they’re exposed to very low incomes for a long period of time, have trouble in school, they’re less likely to graduate from high school”, she said.
Nationwide, the report points out that this year portrays a record-low in teen births and educational achievement and children’s health and safety are showing consistent improvement. Though that percentage is comparable to the 7 percent without coverage nationally, or about 5.2 million, Huddleston said it’s proof that state efforts have been successful.
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The Casey Foundation offers a number of recommendations to make good on the American promise of opportunity for all children. “We need more and better paying jobs, like many other places across the nation. But these numbers show we have to do something”.
