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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Utah No. 4 for childhood well-being, but there are rocky spots
Utah ranks No. 4 in the nation for child well-being, with gains in reducing poverty and youth engagement. But there are persistent challenges in housing and access to early education, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual evaluation, which is now in its 36th year. The '2025 Kids Count Data Book' ranks the states from 1 to 50 on 16 indicators of child well-being. The report considers four factors in each of four categories: Economic well-being, education, health and family and community. Utah came in behind New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. New Mexico was the state with the lowest ranking. It notes that a quarter of Utah children in 2023 (the last year for full data) lived in households that spent more than the recommended 30% of household income on housing and reports an increase in the share who have challenges finding affordable housing in the Beehive State. Additionally, 9% of children live in poverty, which is down from 10% five years ago. But while 3,000 children who lived in poverty in 2019 no longer do, that means 88,000 still lived in poverty in 2023. Other bad news, despite Utah's high ranking: More Utah fourth-graders are not proficient at reading, at 64% compared to 60% in 2019. The share of eighth-graders not on grade level in math is 65%. That's a sad number that's still better than the nation's 73% who are not proficient. The number of Utah teens ages 16-19 not in school or working has risen to 7% — that's 16,000 teens. On the plus side: The poverty rate dropped from 10% to 9% for children. The share of children in households where no parent has full-time year round employment fell to 18%. Paying attention to how children fare is vital in Utah, said Martín C. Muñoz, Kids Count director at Voices for Utah Children, because a third of the state's residents are younger than 18. 'When we strengthen families and communities, we're securing our future, for our state and for our country. On the education front, 57% of children ages 3 and 4 are not in school, which is the same as during the last ranking. But Utahns are faring slightly better in terms of high school students who are not graduating on time, at 12%, which is down from 13% last time and which is slightly better than the national average, which is also 13%. The health category is a very mixed bag for Utah, where the state ranks 13th overall. The Beehive State is slightly better than the national share of 8.6% for low-birthweight babies, at 7.4%. That's been pretty consistent since 2019. But that still means 3,308 babies were born with low birthweight in Utah. And many low-birthweight babies face long-term complications in their development. Utah continues to have 26 teen and child deaths per 100,000 each year, compared to the national average of 29 per 100,000. The state's gotten worse, though, in terms of the number of children ages 10 to 17 who are overweight or obese. That used to be 1 in 5, but has risen to 1 in 4 in the last few years. Nationally, the overweight/obesity rate is slightly more than 3 in 10. Fewer Utah children, however, lack health insurance, at 7%, compared to 8% in 2023. Still, that's worse than the national average of 5% of children without insurance. Utah's No. 2 overall in the family and community category, with a stable share of children in single parent homes (19%), just 6 % in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma, and a mere 1% of children living in high-poverty areas, though nationwide 8% do. Utah teen birth numbers are also better than national numbers, at 9% compared to 13% nationally. The report also looked at trends since 2019, noting seven of the indicators nationally have improved, six have gotten worse and three have been unchanged. Since 2019, the nation has seen less poverty among children, fewer teen births, more children covered by health insurance and a rise in on-time school graduation. The report also notes increases in parental education and the share of parents with secure employment. 'Some of these trends reflect years of progress,' the report says. 'Others highlight the resilience of children and families after the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of strong policies that provided support during that time.' Nationally, the area with the worst news was in education, where three out of four indicators show decline since 2019. Those include preschool participation that hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels, a decline in reading and math scores and the note that chronic absenteeism has become a 'major challenge.' On the plus side, high school graduation rates have been going up. The report notes that 'serious challenges remain, as 16% of U.S. children still live in poverty and nearly 1 in 3 children live in households struggling with high housing cost.' And the foundation adds that where a child lives 'continues to matter deeply, with stark geographic disparities shaped by local and state policies, economic conditions, community investment and infrastructure.' The report says that's clear in the most challenged areas, which are largely in the South and Southwest: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. It adds that many Northeast and Midwest states rank well: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota and Vermont. Utah gets a special call-out, the only one in the West, as the report says that 'Utah also stands out as a strong performer.' Muñoz said that besides showing state policymakers and parents where more could be done to improve, it also highlights areas that can be emulated because of their high ranking. Policies and programs that are working can be built upon, he said. 'Utah is doing well,' he said. 'We are a success story but there are little pockets in our state that need some attention.' What helps families, he added, is true 'trickle-down economics. When we help families, it trickles down to help the kids.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Kids Count Data Book says Indiana improving in child well-being
Indiana ranks 25th in child well-being, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, which was publicly released today (June 9). That publication is a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America. In the Hoosier State, the Indiana Youth Institute leads data collection and analysis for the report. Every year, the report presents national and state data from 16 indicators across four domains—Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family & Community factors. It ranks the states according to how children are faring overall. This year, compared to other states, Indiana ranks 25th overall, compared to Indiana's 2024 overall well-being rank of 27. 'This year's Kids Count rankings reflect encouraging momentum. Indiana rose to 11th in both Economic Well-Being and Education—our highest rankings in these indicators in over a decade—demonstrating that investments in children and families make a meaningful impact,' Tami Silverman, President and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute," said in a news release. 'We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to learn, play, and grow." Silverman said. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like workforce development and economic growth.' In the categories, the report found: • Economic Well-Being: Ranking of 11 ranking is up from 15th last year • Education: Ranking of 11 is up from 17 last year. • Health: Ranking of 30 is up from 32nd last year. • Family and Community: Ranking of 31 is unchanged from last year. 'When Indiana's kids and families thrive, our entire state moves forward,' said Silverman. 'These rankings are a reminder that while we're seeing real gains in key areas, we must continue to focus on what works—ensuring that every child and every family has the support they need to grow, contribute, and thrive.' The 2025 Kids Count Data Book is available at For a more thorough description of the Kids County index, visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Kids Count Data Book says Indiana improving in child well-being
Indiana ranks 25th in child well-being, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, which was publicly released today (June 9). That publication is a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America. In the Hoosier State, the Indiana Youth Institute leads data collection and analysis for the report. Every year, the report presents national and state data from 16 indicators across four domains—Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family & Community factors. It ranks the states according to how children are faring overall. This year, compared to other states, Indiana ranks 25th overall, compared to Indiana's 2024 overall well-being rank of 27. 'This year's Kids Count rankings reflect encouraging momentum. Indiana rose to 11th in both Economic Well-Being and Education—our highest rankings in these indicators in over a decade—demonstrating that investments in children and families make a meaningful impact,' Tami Silverman, President and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute," said in a news release. 'We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to learn, play, and grow." Silverman said. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like workforce development and economic growth.' In the categories, the report found: • Economic Well-Being: Ranking of 11 ranking is up from 15th last year • Education: Ranking of 11 is up from 17 last year. • Health: Ranking of 30 is up from 32nd last year. • Family and Community: Ranking of 31 is unchanged from last year. 'When Indiana's kids and families thrive, our entire state moves forward,' said Silverman. 'These rankings are a reminder that while we're seeing real gains in key areas, we must continue to focus on what works—ensuring that every child and every family has the support they need to grow, contribute, and thrive.' The 2025 Kids Count Data Book is available at For a more thorough description of the Kids County index, visit
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kids Count report: Alabama 39th in overall child well-being
Apriell Hartsfield, Kids Count director for VOICES for Alabama Children, speaks at the 2025 Kids Count Data Book press conference at the Autauga County Family Resource Center in Prattville, Alabama on Feb. 17, 2025. The report said Alabama moved up national rankings of children's wellness due to education and juvenile justice initiatives but also because other states regressed. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Alabama ranked 39th in the nation for overall child well-being in 2024, up from 45th in 2023, according to data released Monday in the Alabama Kids Count Data Book. The report ranks the states based on indicators including within health, education, safety and economic security. Apriell Hartsfield, the director of Kids Count for VOICES for Alabama Children, said the report used an economic well-being lens for the 2024 Data Book. The state-level report uses data from mostly 2022 and 2023, while the national report that is released in the summer uses older data, according to Hartsfield. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Our vision, as we developed for this edition of the data book, was an economically secure Alabama for every child,' Hartsfield said at a press conference at the Autauga County Family Resource Center Monday. The state moved up the ranks, according to Hartsfield, because of legislative initiatives like the 2019 Literacy Act; the 2022 Numeracy Act and the 2013 Alabama Juvenile Justice Act, which have improved child well-being. The Juvenile Justice Act, Hartsfield said, can be linked to a 61.4% decline in youth incarcerations since its implementation in 2013. 'The community-based approach that is encouraged through the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act is working. On the other hand, there are areas of child well being that need our attention now,' she said. Hartsfield also said while Alabama improved, other states fell, especially in education. The report also cited major problems with health care access, gun violence and poverty. Hartsfield said that 21% of Alabama children lived below the federal poverty line in 2022, about $27,750 a year for a family of four in 2022. 'We know that it is vital for families to live healthy, fulfilling lives when their basic needs are met,' Hartsfield said. 'The stress level is lower in the home, and the children can go to school, they can focus on school, and they grow up to be more successful and have healthier outcomes.' Preventable child and teen deaths increased from 175 in 2012 to 179 in 2022, according to a press release. Firearms are the leading cause of these deaths, according to the report. 'Those are completely preventable,' Hartsfield said. 'That's not something it's not a disease that is in our body that we have to figure out that's something that we know is a problem.' Although infant mortality in Alabama from 2012 to 2022 decreased from 8.9 to 6.7 per 1,000 births, infant mortality for Black babies increased from 12.1 to 12.5 per 1,000 births over ten years. Hartsfield pointed to the lack of accessibility to hospitals for rural Alabamians. Fourteen hospitals have closed in rural counties since 2010. 'A lot of our moms who are pregnant have to drive more than 30 minutes to get access to care, and that time is critical when you're pregnant, especially when you are having complications or giving birth,' she said. 'So we need to focus on how we can build up that infrastructure for our healthcare system in Alabama and make healthcare not only covered by insurance but also physically accessible.' VOICES for Alabama Children is advocating for a Medicaid expansion and firearm safety legislation this session. While a Medicaid expansion is not a priority for legislators this session, there are many firearm-related bills moving through the legislature. Hartsfield said VOICES is in favor of HB 103, sponsored by Rep. Barbra Drummond, D-Mobile, that would require gun owners with children to safely store firearms. 'We've got to figure out a way to make those firearms safe for our children, so that if they do not get access to them, they are safe,' Hartsfield said. 'So that we have devices on them that make it where they can't make those guns do the thing that they're supposed to do, which would injure them.' While VOICES advocates for change that will take time, the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers helps families in 46 counties and served almost 53,000 families in 2024, according to Director Joan Witherspoon-Norris. The Autauga County Family Resource Center hosted the Kids Count Data Book press conference. 'We know that when families are economically secure, it really changes the trajectory for those children,' Witherspoon-Norris said. 'It changes their situation today, and it also changes the outcomes that they'll see later.' Merrill Carroll, director of the Autauga County Family Resource Center, said the center offers a variety of free, grant-funded programs to the community on parenting, adult education and school-based activities. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
