Barry-Eaton District Health Department An Accredited Public Health Agency www.barryeatonhealth.org

 

 

For Immediate Release

 

January 12, 2010

Barry County Kids:

Some steps forward, too many steps back

 

            LANSING, Mich. – The annual Kids Count in Michigan report released today highlights the toll the prolonged economic problems have had on Michigan’s children, particularly its youngest.

The report concludes that two out of every five Michigan children under age 5 live in low-income households, and that child poverty has increased 40 percent during this decade. In Barry County, over one in three school-aged children receive free or reduced price school lunches, meaning that these children are living in poverty or teetering on the edge. This represents an 18% increase in free/reduced lunch participants compared to 2006.

The report also concludes that nearly 250 children in Barry County were confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect, an increase of 108% percent since 2000. Child abuse and neglect typically increase during times of economic stress, meaning that Barry County is not immune to the pressures of Michigan’s poor job market. 

                “This is a very critical time for our young children and programs that keep them healthy and help them learn,” said Julie Guenther, of the Barry County Great Start Collaborative, an area group that works with the private and public sector to tailor area programs to fit the needs of local children and families. “Focus on early childhood needs has tremendous impact and is a significant investment in the economic development of our community.”

                In Barry County, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department has identified another area of concern, even before a child is born: “Like many areas across the state, Barry County has seen an increase in the percent of pregnant women who lack adequate prenatal care. One in five women don’t receive proper care,” noted Anne Barna, Health Analyst for the Health Department. In addition, Barry County is ranked in the bottom half of Michigan counties on this indicator.

                The report indicated there are areas where improvements have been measured. Barry County has seen a steady decline in teenage pregnancies, meaning that more teens are waiting to have children. Barry County also had far more proficient fourth and eighth graders on the MEAP test in 2008 as compared to 2003.

The study shows that one in five children in Michigan live below the poverty line. Michigan has suffered from a steep economic decline since 2000. High unemployment, declining wages, and increasing poverty have resulted in declining revenues available for many programs and services that support the education and physical and emotional health of children. Also impacted is quality childcare, as subsidies for low-income working parents.

 “These tough times put greater pressures on our young children, and they also call for greater dedication and ingenuity by those of us charged with helping connect children with adequate supports for their development and well-being,” said Judy Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corp., a public nonprofit that oversees 55 Great Start Collaboratives across the state.

              The report provides detailed profiles for Michigan, each of its 83 counties, and the city of Detroit. Counties are ranked according to 17 indicators in five areas of child well-being. Kids Count in Michigan is a collaboration of the Michigan League for Human Services and Michigan’s Children. The report is released each January.

    

 

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Media Contact:          Heather Sanders

                                    517-541-2640