IN THE NEWS
Redesigned and Updated Idaho KIDS COUNT Website The Idaho KIDS COUNT website has a new look and feel and a comprehensive and updated database of state and county level data on children and families in Idaho. On the site you will also find data and policy reports, data tools, interactive data mapping, and advocacy information to inform policy decisions that impact outcomes for children. Visit the site at www.idahokidscount.org.
IVC Early Learning Forum - Sept. 4th "The Economics of Investing Early" was the topic of an early learning policy forum sponsored by Idaho Voices for Children in partnership with Idaho Kids Count. The forum was attended by over 100 people and included a panel of community leaders and legislators discussing the importance of early learning opportunities in Idaho and how they relate to cost savings, foster positive behavior and lead to the development of a productive workforce. A legislative panel provided feedback on the IVC proposal for a legislatively mandated commission for expanding early learning opportunities in Idaho. Roadmaps for quality programs were shared by Dr. Karen Crompton, executive director of Voices for Utah Children and new Kids Count research on how to achieve quality was presented by Dr. Julie Wall. View meeting materials and presentations on the Idaho Voices for Children website by clicking here. |
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New KIDS COUNT Data & Policy Reports
Grand Families Count in Idaho This new policy brief released by Idaho KIDS COUNT reveals that over 18,000 Idaho children live in households headed by grandparents and other relatives. This is an increase of almost 21 percent since 2000. This report examines the challenges grand families face as they assume the parental role for raising their relative children and policy changes that could improve outcomes. Review the entire brief by clicking here.
The Status of Child Care in Idaho Ensuring that Idaho's young children have access to high quality child care in Idaho is an important challenge for child care professionals, government officials, parents and other stewards of the community. This policy brief is the first in a four-part series which examines the need for child care in Idaho; the availability of quality child care settings; and the status of public supports to assist low-income working parents with child care need. Review the full report by clicking here or by visiting the Idaho KIDS COUNT website, www.idahokidscount.org.
New Other Source Data & Policy Reports
Census Bureau Releases 2007 report on income, poverty and health insurance On August 26th the Census Bureau released their 2007 report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage featuring data from the 2007 American Community Survey (ACS) and the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS). The Census Bureau's CPS-ASEC produces the official national estimates of poverty, as well as estimates of income and health insurance coverage. In addition to the national-level data, the report provides state-level health insurance estimates. The report can be viewed on the Publications & Reports page of the Idaho KIDS COUNT website, or at www.census.gov.
The Cost of Child Poverty State by State Human Services Policy Center recently released a report which documents the cost of poverty on a national and state by state basis. This report reveals the staggering economic costs associated with poverty. According to this report, recent estimates suggest that growing up in poverty costs the U. S. $500 billion annual (3.8% of U.S. GDP) in the form of foregone earnings, involvement in crime, and the costs associated with poor health outcomes. In 2006, 58,000 or 15% of Idaho children were living in poverty at a calculated annual cost of 2.2 billion. View the report in its entirety at: www.prb.org/Articles/2008/childpovertyestimates.aspx.
2008 Right Start Reports Highlight Birth Conditions and Health Status for Nations Infants Progress towards improving birth conditions has stalled with large gaps for babies born to women of color, according to the Right Start for America’s Newborns: City and State Trends released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The online resport includes updated data, and allows viewers to create custom reports such as state and city profiles. According to the report, Idaho ranks 9th in the nation for babies born with low birth weight; 11th for the percent of preterm births; 18th for percent of total births to teens; and 10th for percent of births to women who were already mothers. View the entire report by clicking here and choosing the "State Rankings" option. |
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