From Michigan's Children:
The 2011 Michigan Kids Count Data Book shows that growing poverty is
threatening children’s health and well-being, and lowering their chances of
success and the state’s chances for a bright future. The latest Data Book shows
nearly a quarter of all Michigan kids were living in poverty in 2009, up from 14
percent in 2000. Even more sobering is the number of Michigan kids living in
extreme poverty – less than $11,000 a year for a family of four. This number
more than doubled from five percent to eleven percent – that’s more than one in
every 10 kids living at half the poverty level.
School cafeteria staff see this need daily with nearly half of public school
children statewide now qualifying for free and reduced price lunches. In
addition to hunger, children and families in poverty lack access to the supports
they need to be emotionally and physically healthy such as access to a
consistent source of medical care. Ensuring access to programs that promote
health can reduce childhood stress, depression, anxiety and obesity. Healthy
children are better prepared when they enter school, are better able to learn in
school, are more likely to graduate high school and be college or career
ready.
The information in the Data Book isn't all bad. Michigan has made some
progress with drops in teen birth rates, teen deaths and high school dropout
rates. Additionally, more students are now considered proficient in math.
Michigan also lowered its child death and infant mortality rates, although
African American infants are three times less likely to celebrate a first
birthday than Caucasian babies.
The Data Book clearly outlines troubling statistics for Michigan's low-income
children and children of color. To reduce disparities in outcomes for children
of color and low-income children, it is critical that the foundation for
lifelong success begin at birth, supports children from cradle to career, and
provides families and communities the supports they need to support all
children.
See the Kids Count Data Book, which includes state and county level data, on the Michigan League for Human Services website.