Latest news with #AnnieE.CaseyFoundation
Axios
24-06-2025
- Health
- Axios
Louisiana's kids are not OK
Louisiana ranks second to last in the U.S. for overall child well-being, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Why it matters: The numbers offer a yearly check-in on how well the state is serving its youngest residents and where it's falling short, especially in areas like child poverty and health. The big picture: The annual Kids Count report shows how children are faring overall, based on economic well-being, education, health and family/community factors. Louisiana improved its fourth grade reading proficiency scores and its on-time high-school graduation rate, the report found. But, the overall news is not great for the state's children. The foundation found that children in Louisiana experience less economic stability, worse health and more concerning community conditions than peers in most other states. Zoom in: The states with the biggest challenges are generally in the South and Southwest. New Mexico ranked last, with Louisiana and Mississippi rounding out the bottom three. Many Northeast and Midwest states rank near the top, with New Hampshire ranked 1st. Zoom out: Some of the bright spots nationally were reductions in child poverty, fewer teen births, an increase in on-time high school graduation and more children with health insurance, the organization said. Education continues to be a problem nationally, the report found. Reading and math scores have declined since 2019, chronic absenteeism is a "major challenge" and preschool participation hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels. Between the lines: The foundation argues that a child's future success often depends on where they grow up. "Geographic disparities around the country have persisted for years, shaped by differences in state and local policies, economic conditions, infrastructure, resources, neighborhood characteristics and community investment," the report says. Concerning stats for Louisiana: The child and teen death rate ranked 49 out of 50, based on 2023 data. Louisiana averaged 48 deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-19. Leading causes of death are vehicle crashes, drowning and homicide. 25% of children live in poverty statewide, compared to 16% children nationally. 79% of 8th graders were below proficient in math, which is higher than the national average of 73%. The bottom line:"Moving our state from 49th in overall child well-being won't be easy, but we do know what works: improving families' economic security, making sure children have nutritious food, and building safe, opportunity-rich communities," said Jen Roberts, CEO of Agenda for Children, in statement. Go deeper
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New report: WV education outcomes still nearly last in country, fewer kids attending preschool
Inside a Kanawha County elementary classroom in West Virginia. (Lexi Browning | West Virginia Watch) West Virginia's ranking for child well-being has made slight improvements, but the state is still struggling with students meeting basic academic benchmarks. The new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation said that in 2024, 75% of West Virginia's fourth graders were not proficient in reading, and 82% of the state's eighth graders were not proficient in math. The annual report assesses childhood well-being in every state. The data showed that, nationally, students are struggling with reading and math since the COVID-19 pandemic's interruptions to learning. Plus, chronic absenteeism has become a major challenge. West Virginia ranks 45th in education, according to the report that was released earlier this week. 'State lawmakers have spent the last few years focusing on really a small sliver of the population by passing policies related to private school and home school,' said Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, which is West Virginia's member of the Casey Foundation's Kids Count network. 'We're always going to see most of our kids [receive] their education through public schools. So if we really want to boost these outcomes in education, we have to focus our efforts on where kids are, in our public school system,' she continued. Additionally, the number of children attending early childhood education programs worsened. Around 70% of West Virginia children ages three and four are not enrolled in school pre-school or child care, which is the second-worst rate in the country. The state is woefully short in child care programs, which Allen said has played a part in the decline of students attending preschool. 'Whether it's Head Start or pre-K or child care — and those are areas where we have seen backsliding or lack of investment from the state level — and we know early childhood education is so formative for children's future,' she said, adding that the state is spending less on child care than it did before the pandemic. West Virginia moved to 41st in child well-being — up from 44th last year. In 2023, 20% of West Virginia's kids lived in poverty, an improvement over the previous year's rate of 25%. The state is third best in the country for health insurance coverage, and only 3% of kids are uninsured. Many West Virginia children use the state's Medicaid Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, but potential federal cuts and changes to Medicaid could threaten that coverage. 'Children with health insurance are more likely to have a regular source of health care they can access for preventive services, developmental screenings and treatment for physical or mental health needs,' the report said. However, nearly 10% of babies were low birth weight, placing the state at 45th in that category. Low birth weight is a leading cause of infant death in the United States, and these babies have a higher probability of developmental problems and disabilities. The share of U.S. infants with a low birth weight has steadily worsened for more than 30 years, the report said, and the rate remains higher than most other peer nations. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Report: New Mexico ranks last in the nation for child well-being, again
Jun. 11—New Mexico has once again been ranked the worst state in the country for child well-being, according to the newest annual Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count data book. The study, which utilizes data from 2023, focuses on four categories: economic well-being, education, health and family and community. The most recent study marks the fifth consecutive year in which New Mexico has earned the 50th spot. Among the four categories, the state came in last for education and family and community; 49th for economic well-being; and 46th for health. Those results reflect a marked lack in progress over the five years since the state received a 2018 landmark ruling that its public education department was violating students' constitutional rights with the quality of instruction provided — and a subsequent May ruling that it had not done enough to improve. The Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) remains marred in controversy. The state also has one of the lowest average median household incomes in the U.S., and while the state has the second-richest sovereign wealth fund in the nation and has, in recent years, markedly spent more on education, those efforts have yet to yield discernible dividends. New Mexico's lackluster rankings don't surprise Daniel Crespin, a father of eight who lives in the International District and works part-time as a plumber, allowing him to spend more time at home caring for his children. "My middle schooler is reading at a lower grade level, and they're not doing anything to push them in school," Crespin said. He added that the cost of childcare would be burdensome to the family. "It's really hard to get help out here, and there are some programs that try to do something, but the funding is not there. It's always going somewhere else," he said. Spending time at North Domingo Baca Park with her 5-year-old daughter Isla Vigil and the girl's father Isaac Vigil, Amanda Alire expressed a similar sentiment, noting that her 13-year-old son, who's enrolled in Santa Fe Public Schools, is reading at a "fourth-grade" level. She added that she works two jobs and north of 70 hours a week to provide for herself and her children, whom she had been raising alone — Vigil was in prison until earlier this month. But, as a result, her income puts her above the poverty threshold. "I don't get any other support, I don't qualify for any assistance," Alire said. "There's nothing that would help because they say you make too much money, even though you're taking care of two kids by yourself with one income." Noting that the state has passed a slew of policies directed at improving education and childhood well-being since 2023, nonprofit New Mexico Voices for Children — which partnered with the Annie E. Casey Foundation on the report — believes the state's ranking could change in the coming years. They also think the state's circumstances and demographics don't warrant a comparison to others. "Other states have vastly different circumstances than New Mexico, whether that's their population, their racial and ethnic makeup, their just general structure," Gabrielle Uballez, executive director of the organization, said in a May interview. "We like to look at comparing New Mexico to itself." House Democrats cited several bills approved during this year's 60-day legislative session that could benefit New Mexico children, including a $10.8 billion budget bill that directs over $100 million to transitional housing and the state's Early Childhood Education and Care Department. They also cited the creation of a new state Medicaid trust fund that could help the state weather federal funding decreases, legislation expanding childcare assistance for prekindergarten children and established an outside oversight office to review complaints involving CYFD. "I'm a big believer in data, data is always good. It helps us improve. I'm really proud of all of the work we've done over the last several legislative sessions," House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, said in a phone interview. "Those are all good things, and I think that eventually we'll see those returns. Having said that, I do think that there's more work that remains to be done." Some New Mexico lawmakers question if the state's increased spending and new policies are yielding results. "We have had unprecedented investments in early childhood education, we've had the Zuni lawsuit and Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit, and even this year, the judge says we are not making improvements on educational outcomes," Rep. Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences, said in a phone interview. "It's time for parents to be in charge of their kid's education and for dollars to follow students. We are so far behind the curve ... we can look to any state and do better." She also expressed support for school-choice programs, noting declining enrollment in public schools and saying that "poverty is an excuse" and that "if poverty is keeping children in a failing school system, all the more reason to pass school choice." "The courts agreed the families who felt like the public education system was failing them went to court, and the courts agreed that New Mexico is failing to adequately educate students. The remedy was to give money to the system that was failing students," Dow said. "It's time to stop funding the same system, and one size will never fit all."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indiana's overall child well-being improves, with high rankings in economic and education
Research suggests that children and youth engaged in formal mentoring programs, especially those involved for a year or more, reported significantly fewer behavioral problems and fewer symptoms of depression and social anxiety when compared to non-mentored youths. (Getty Images) A state-by-state report shows Indiana child well-being has improved with its highest rankings in over a decade for both economic and education categories. But it remains in the bottom half for health and family and community — indicating progress and opportunities to do better for Hoosier children. The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Indiana 25th overall for child well-being, slightly improving from 27th in 2024. In 2022 and 2021, the state ranked 28th and 29th. The report is developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in partnership with organizations across the country, including the Indiana Youth Institute. It aims to evaluate where there is progress and what needs greater support among four domains: economics, education, health and family and community. It ranks the national and state data among 16 indicators which are combined under the four domains. This year, Indiana ranked 11th in both economic and education, an increase from 15th and 17th last year, respectively. 'This year's KIDS COUNT rankings reflect encouraging momentum … demonstrating that investments in children and families make a meaningful impact,' said Tami Silverman, president and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute. '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. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like workforce development and economic growth.' Nationally, states showed the most improvement in family and community. However, education worsened across the board, with declines in student proficiency in math and reading. New Hampshire and Vermont were ranked among the best in overall child well-being, while New Mexico and Louisiana were ranked lowest. Indiana's economic indicators showed slight increases and was better than the national data in all four categories. In 2023, the number of children in poverty — 239,000 or 15% — remained similar to prior data in 2019. Meanwhile, fewer teens were out of school or work, and more parents had secure employment in 2023. However, the percentage of children living in households burdened by high housing costs increased from 21% in 2019 to 23% in 2023. Indiana data showed better performances in education than national averages, ranking 11th among other states. But individual indicators were worse compared to prior year data. Eighth-grade math proficiency dropped, with 69% not being proficient compared to 63% in 2019. Similarly, 66% fourth graders were not proficient in reading, as compared to 63% in 2019. The percentage of high school students not graduating on time improved slightly, similarly to national trends. Indiana also performed worse in the percentage of young children ages 3 and 4 not in school, 60% compared to 59% in prior data. Indiana's health rankings align with national trends in children and teens between 10 and 17 who are overweight or obese and low birth-weight babies. The state is below average for children without health insurance showing 6% are without. Nationally 5% of children don't have health insurance. Indiana averaged 34 deaths for children and teens per 100,000, marking an increase compared to 29 deaths in prior data. Indiana remained near the bottom nationally in family and community ranking 31st — unchanged from last year. Although each indicator improved and is performing slightly better than national data. In 2023, the state was home to more than 1.59 million children under 18. Of that, 33% are children in single-parent families and 7% of children live in high-poverty areas, which decreased from years before. Nationally, 34% of children are in single-parent families and 11% of children live in high poverty areas. 'When Indiana's kids and families thrive, our entire state moves forward,' Silverman said. '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.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii keiki face mixed trends in well-being vs. mainland peers
Hawaii's children are increasingly affected by housing instability and parental job insecurity, ranking the state among the worst in the nation for economic well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual report, now in its 36th year, evaluates child well-being across four categories—economic well-being, education, health, and family and community—using 16 key indicators. Hawaii ranked 24th overall in the nation, a slight improvement from 29th in 2024, but trends in housing and employment signal urgent challenges ahead. More than one in three children in Hawaii lived in households burdened by high housing costs in 2023—the fifth-worst rate in the country. Though the state saw a slight improvement in housing cost burden from 38 % in 2019 to 35 % in 2023, the issue remains more severe than the national average of 30 %. At the same time, the share of children whose parents lacked secure employment jumped from 24 % to 28 % over the same period, diverging from the national trend, which saw a modest improvement. Hawaii's rank in this category dropped from 16th to 36th in the nation. 'It took the lowest-income families a decade to recover from the Great Recession, and now we are once again facing the threat of a greater share of our keiki growing up in economic hardship, which can have harmful lifelong effects on their well-being, ' said Ivette Rodriguez Stern, junior specialist at the University of Hawaii Center on the Family. 'Without bold action from our leaders, it will be difficult for our children and their families to climb out of the upcoming economic hole they're likely to experience.' The warning comes as the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization predicts a potential recession, and as proposed federal budget cuts threaten to push thousands of local families out of vital food and health care programs. Deborah Zysman, executive director of Hawaii Children's Action Network, said the report's findings must serve as a call to action. 'Year after year, the KIDS COUNT Data Book reminds us that more can and must be done to support the economic well-being of Hawai 'i's children and their families. With the looming threat of a recession and harsh cuts to crucial programs, our state's leaders must act now to prevent our children's well-being from deteriorating further.' Education indicators were another weak spot for Hawaii, with the state ranking 29th in this domain. The share of fourth graders not proficient in reading rose to 68 %, slightly better than the national average of 70 % but still trending in the wrong direction. Eighth grade math proficiency worsened from 72 % not proficient in 2019 to 77 % in 2024—worse than the national rate of 73 %. Preschool access remained stagnant, with 54 % of 3-and 4-year-olds not enrolled, matching the national average. However, on-time high school graduation improved slightly, with 86 % of students graduating on time in 2022 compared with 85 % in 2019. Where Hawaii shines is in the health of its children. The state ranked 10th in the nation, with only 3 % of children lacking health insurance—the third lowest rate nationally—and one of the lowest child and teen death rates in the country, improving from 24 per 100, 000 in 2019 to 18 in 2023. Despite those strengths, the share of low birth-weight babies increased slightly from 8.4 % to 8.7 %, and childhood obesity worsened, with 29 % of children ages 10 to 17 considered overweight or obese—just below the national rate of 31 %. The state also ranked 14th in the family and community domain. The state's teen birth rate dropped significantly from 16 to 11 per 1, 000, and the percentage of children living in high-poverty areas improved from 5 % to 4 %. The rate of children in single-parent households held steady at 34 %, matching the national figure. Overall, experts say the report offers a critical snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing Hawaii's youngest residents. The full 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book is available at and data for Hawaii can be found at.
