Michigan League forHuman Services

Celebrating 100 yearsof Research and Advocacy

Kids Count in MichiganThe Window to our Future

Data Book 2011Data Book 2011Renell 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*

Annual Monthly Annual MonthlyIncome Income Income Income

Extreme Poverty

(50% FPL) $8,784 $732 $11,057 $921Federal 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 www.aecf.org

• State Project – Kids Count in Michigan– Michigan League for Human Services www.milhs.org– Michigan’s Children www.michiganschildren.org

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

More information

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