Reducing the Child Poverty Rate. KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief

• Published in: Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Main Authors: Shore, Rima, Shore, Barbara
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Annie E 01.07.2009
• Subjects: Children; Citizen Participation; Economic Opportunities; Employment; Family Financial Resources; Financial Policy; Insurance; Living Standards; Low Income Groups; Minority Groups; Poverty; Public Policy; Social Change; Unemployment; United States; Welfare Services; United States

In 2007, nearly one in five or 18 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty (KIDS COUNT Data Center, 2009). Many of these children come from minority backgrounds. African American (35 percent), American Indian (33 percent) and Latino (27 percent) children are more likely to live in poverty than their white (11 percent) and Asian (12 percent) counterparts (KIDS COUNT Data Center, 2009). Although many children live in poverty, many more lack a decent standard of living as their families hover near the poverty line or move in and out of official poverty from year to year. Today, as the nation grapples with the consequences of a financial crisis and recession many economists consider worse than any since the 1930s, there is renewed focus on poverty and the public policies affecting low-income families with children. Many state initiatives are underway to reduce family and child poverty, and several states are moving toward more comprehensive strategies by setting targets, tracking poverty rates, and putting diverse initiatives into place. Some are directing intensive educational services to poor and low-income children to help them overcome the disadvantages associated with economic hardship (National Governors Association, 2008). This "KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief" describes five strategies that hold promise for lifting many families and children out of poverty, and helping them move toward greater economic security: (1) Building political will to reduce child poverty; (2) Making work pay; (3) Helping low-income families keep more of what they earn; (4) Strengthening the safety net; and (5) Helping low-income families build up savings and assets. (Lists 10 online resources.)