From Deseret News archives:
Legislators get update on kids' welfare
The wheel features data from Voices for Utah Children's annual KIDS COUNT project, which measures statewide and county-specific data on things such as the number of children living in poverty, education demographics and health data.
Rather than put all of the data in a lengthy report, as it has done in the past, the organization decided this year to make sure lawmakers have the information at their fingertips as they're making public policy decisions that affect children.
"It's an interesting product; it's kind of fun," said Terry Haven, KIDS COUNT director for Voices for Utah Children.
As the 2007 Legislature winds down and lawmakers formalize the state's budget, the group hopes lawmakers look at the new data and see the areas where they can improve the lives of Utah's youngsters, Haven said.
"All manner of bad things happen to our children," she said. "How can we help low-income families or children at risk?"
Voices' 2007 data is similar to last year's information, with 12.4 percent, or about 92,000, of the state's 811,000 children living in poverty. That's just slightly down from last year's figure of 12.5 percent.
That number is particularly troubling because it means that those most in need are not benefiting from the state's continuing economic upswing, Haven said.
"It worries me as an advocate because the state's economy is on the rise. We have this budget surplus and yet we're not seeing that our children are reaping the benefits," she said.
Thursday's data indicates children in rural Utah are struggling more than in other areas of the state. Nearly 30 percent of children in San Juan County lived in poverty in 2006 while 20 percent of children in Grand and Piute counties lived in poverty.
Just over 9 percent of Davis County children live in poverty with 11.1 percent in Utah County and 13.2 percent in Salt Lake County living in poverty, according to the 2007 data.
Statewide, 32.2 percent receive free or reduced school lunches and more than 74,000 are in families that receive food stamps.
The federal poverty level for a family of four, including two adults and two children, is an annual income of just over $19,000.
Child injury deaths continued to decline slightly in 2006 while the number of low-birthweight babies increased slowly but steadily. And while births to teens increased only slightly, the figure jumped out at Haven as the first increase in six years.
"Maybe it's a blip," she said, adding she's interested in what next year's data will show.
E-mail: awelling@desnews.com
Comments
- Lakers booed at home in loss 12:53 a.m.
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 12:51 a.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 12:50 a.m.
- Students from abroad come to Utah 12:26 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:18 a.m.
- Sports briefs 12:17 a.m.
- Editorial: Red flags at Fort Hood 12:14 a.m.
- Rid Capitol Hill of 'roaches' 12:14 a.m.
- Health proposal not 'reform' 12:14 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:14 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
230 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
206 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
97 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
88
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...
If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...
I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...
why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...
A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...
I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...
A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...
she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...
Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...
Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...




You can be the first to comment on this story.