Thread: New Mexico ranked worst state for child well-being

New Mexico ranked worst state for child well-being

Posted at: 06/24/2013 7:17 AM | Updated at: 06/24/2013 7:19 AM
By: Nikki Ibarra, KOB Eyewitness News 4
New Mexico is now ranked the 50th worst state for child well-being, according to new data in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT Data Book.
The study measures economic well-being, education, health and family and community issues from 2011 to determine state rankings.
Mississippi moved out of the last place spot after 24 years, now occupied by New Mexico. The study shows 157,000 children in poverty in New Mexico, which grew 5 percent since 2005.
The executive director for New Mexico Voices for Children hopes the report will serve as a wake-up call to New Mexico’s leaders.
Another reason why the state ranks last is the recession. The study showed New Mexico’s child poverty rate continues to increase, especially for young kids. Also, more kids are living in single-parent families which, according to the study, puts them at greater risk for poverty.
New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts ranked the highest for overall child well-being.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3077298.shtml?cat=504

Report: Texas among 10 worst states to be a kid

• Associated Press
• Posted June 24, 2013 at 10:29 a.m.

AUSTIN — A new, national report says Texas remains one of the 10 worst states in America to be a kid — despite its booming economy and ballooning population.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual Kids Count assessment of children's health and well-being Monday.
Texas ranked 42nd nationally. That was up just two spots from the 2012 report, even though there were statewide improvements in access to preschool and falling rates of youngsters without health insurance.
The report says Texas' child poverty rate has reached 26.2 percent. That's 3-plus percentage points higher than the national rate.
The state's percentage of youngsters without health insurance also declined from 18 percent to 13 percent. Still, the U.S. rate of children without health insurance improved to 7 percent.

http://www.caller.com/news/2013/jun/24/report-texas-among-10-worst-states-be-kid/