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Remarks by Senate President Beth Edmonds on the 12th annual Maine KIDS COUNT data bookFebruary 28, 2006 Before I came to the Legislature, I was a children’s librarian for many years. Working with kids in a supportive environment that emphasizes learning and enjoyment is great. Being in a position of responsibility for the well-being of all the children of Maine is also great – and challenging. That’s why we need the kind of resources that Maine KIDS COUNT brings with it. Between the covers of this book lie the answer to some of the questions that worry and concern us. The answers aren’t always what we like to hear, but they are what we need to hear. What we do for our children today determines much of what this state will be like in a generation. We must never forget that what we do here in this building matters, and that many of the results will not be apparent on our watch. So it’s doubly important that we pay attention to what this book tells us. One of the things it tells us is that our efforts to improve early childhood are succeeding. At one time, Maine had one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country. Early pregnancy is associated with high rates of birth defects, underweight infants, and difficult deliveries. The pregnancy rate for teens has been cut in half over the past 12 years, and infant mortality has also declined sharply. Our teens are making the right decisions, so babies in Maine have a better start in life. Maine has a good record, too, in providing nutrition and health care to very young children. We are putting people first. The child welfare system is working better. The number of children in state care has declined sharply, and the state is making determined efforts to place children from troubled homes with extended family members. Child welfare complaints are promptly investigated. Over just six years, the number of complaints not assigned for investigation has dropped significantly because we acknowledged the problem and effectively addressed it. That’s a story we need to hear more about. Not all the news is good. The proportion of children being raised in poverty is lower than the national average, but still too high. Cutbacks at the federal level have made it difficult to maintain the safety net families depend on. This is something families struggle with every day. We learn from our experiences, and our experience with Maine KIDS COUNT has been one of growth, change and discovery. We do have a positive influence on the lives of our children, and we know a lot more now that we did 12 years ago, when Maine KIDS COUNT began. I’m glad we can all be here together today to celebrate these improvements for Maine children. As we’re moving Maine forward, we must make sure that in the next 12 years we support policies that help Maine children continue to improve and thrive. Updated: Jun 3rd, 2008 - 13:09:25 |
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A Strong and Powerful Voice to Improve the Lives of All Maine's Children, Youth and Families
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