Michigan League for Human Services Celebrating 100 years of Research and Advocacy

Kids Count in Michigan The Window to our Future Data Book 2011 Renell B. Weathers Outreach Coordinator March 8, 2012

Health Matters The focus is on the role that public policy can play in shaping the social environment in ways conducive to better health. … While medical care can prolong survival…, more important for the health of the population as a whole are the social and economic conditions that make people ill and in need of medical care in the first place.”

MiDashboard  Governor includes reducing child poverty on his dashboard of indicators of economic strength

Michigan Trends Worsening (higher rates) – Child poverty – Abuse neglect investigations/victims – Low birthweight babies Improving (lower rates) – MEAP math-4th/8th graders (not proficient) – High school dropouts-Class of 2010 – Teen births – Infant mortality

Unemployment Escalated

Percentage of children in Michigan living in extreme poverty (income less than $8,500-$11,000) doubled between 2000 and 2009.

Income Insecurity Levels Single Parent/Two Children*Two Parent/Two Children* AnnualMonthlyAnnualMonthly IncomeIncomeIncomeIncome Extreme Poverty (50% FPL) $8,784$732$11,057$921 Federal Poverty Level (100%) $17,568$1,464$22,113$1,843 Children under age 18

Child poverty was higher in Michigan than the U.S. for all groups except Asians in 2010.

The share of Michigan K-12 students qualifying for a free lunch increased between 2008 and 2010.

Students receiving free/reduced price school lunches in Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee Counties

Physical neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment in Michigan.

The number of confirmed child abuse/neglect cases designated as low/moderate risk (category III rose by 70 percent in six years).

Abuse neglect investigations/confirmed in Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee Counties (Rate per 1000 kids) Source: Kids Count in Michigan Data Book 2011

National Project – Kids Count – Annie E. Casey Foundation State Project – Kids Count in Michigan – Michigan League for Human Services – Michigan’s Children Kids Count in Michigan

Improve the social/economic environment for families Cut child poverty rate by half Ensure access to health care for parents Strengthen safety net programs Address disparities in communities of color Enhance educational opportunities from cradle to career

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