Our state thrives when our children thrive, which is why it is so important that Maine kids have the support, resources and opportunities today that are foundational to their later health and well-being. Our youngest generation will become the adults who lead or communities and shape our economy. That is why understanding the causes of and solutions to child poverty should be a priority for all of us.
We know that children’s health and well-being is highly correlated with family income and economic security. With stable, good-paying jobs and supports, Maine children and families can truly succeed.
The good news is that new Census data indicate fewer children across the country, and in Maine, are living in poverty. This new data reveals that Maine children and their families are experiencing improved economic conditions, as unemployment is down and median incomes for families with children have risen. However, while we are seeing some improvement, child poverty is still not at pre-recession rates. There is still much more work to be done.
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National KIDS COUNT
KIDS COUNT Data Center, datacenter.kidscount.org
A Project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation[/caption] In Maine, there are over 43,000 children living in poverty (17.4 percent) . For children age 5 and under, the poverty rate is even higher at 19.5 percent. This is important to remember at a time when many of Maine’s anti-poverty practices and programs are under attack. Now is the time to be improving and expanding Maine’s effective anti-poverty programs that play a crucial role in improving economic conditions of families. With proper administration and adequate resources, programs like TANF, ASPIRE and SNAP can make sure that Maine’s declining child poverty rate is not just a fluke but part of a larger, long-term trend. Let’s use this momentum to reduce the number of Maine children living in poverty. Maine is a small state, and this is something we can do. The bottom line is: Fewer Maine children are living in poverty, but too many families are still facing economic hardships. Increased investments in anti-poverty programs and policies with a track record of success are critical to lifting even more children out of poverty permanently.
National KIDS COUNTKIDS COUNT Data Center, datacenter.kidscount.org
A Project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation[/caption] In Maine, there are over 43,000 children living in poverty (17.4 percent) . For children age 5 and under, the poverty rate is even higher at 19.5 percent. This is important to remember at a time when many of Maine’s anti-poverty practices and programs are under attack. Now is the time to be improving and expanding Maine’s effective anti-poverty programs that play a crucial role in improving economic conditions of families. With proper administration and adequate resources, programs like TANF, ASPIRE and SNAP can make sure that Maine’s declining child poverty rate is not just a fluke but part of a larger, long-term trend. Let’s use this momentum to reduce the number of Maine children living in poverty. Maine is a small state, and this is something we can do. The bottom line is: Fewer Maine children are living in poverty, but too many families are still facing economic hardships. Increased investments in anti-poverty programs and policies with a track record of success are critical to lifting even more children out of poverty permanently.