C H I L D P O V E R T Y I N W E S T V I R G I N I A

A GROWING AND PERSISTENT PROBLEM

Worth Our Care SymposiumFebruary 19, 2013 – Charleston Marriot

TED BOETTNERExecutive Director

OVERVIEW

Why Does Child Poverty Matter?

How Do We Measure Poverty?

What Does Child Poverty Look like in West Virginia?

How Have Policies Responded to Poverty?

How Should We Address Child Poverty?

Growing Up Poor

Physical problems, such as low birth weight, substandard nutrition, poor motor skills, and more accidents and injuriesCognitive difficulties, such as poor academic performance, especially among younger children, and higher drop-out rates in high schoolSocial and emotional problems, such as anxiety, difficulty getting along with peers and adults, and low self-esteemBehavioral problems, such as engagement in high-risk activities like smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and early sexual activity, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancies.Challenges in adulthood, such as poor health, lower earnings, higher poverty rates and more criminal behavior

Poverty is not destiny, but it does place children at greater risk for:

Timing, Depth, and Duration Matter

The children who are most harmed are those who live in “deep poverty,” defined as family incomes less than 50 percent of the federal poverty level, and those who live in “persistent poverty” for multiple years.

Poverty during early childhood has a greater impact on certain outcomes, such cognitive ability and high school completion, than does poverty in later childhood and adolescence.

Children of color experience deep poverty, persistent poverty and early childhood poverty at higher rates than white children.

Pathways impact child outcomes

Family income

Home environment

Family stability

Health and mental health

Child development

Community norms and conditions

Implications of Child Poverty

The economic cost of child poverty in West Virginia is estimated at $3.9 billion (2012 dollars).

Severe overcrowding of the state’s prisons and rise in state expenditures on corrections.

The state’s substance abuse epidemic, which is currently being addressed by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse and six regional task forces.

The state’s high obesity rate and its related health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and bone and joint problems.

The high teen birth rate and the health, economic and educational challenges it creates for teen mothers and their babies.

Concerns about students dropping out of high school and the consequences that has on future opportunities, earnings and quality of life.

Measuring Poverty

Federal Poverty Threshold & Guidelines Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) West Virginia Self-Sufficiency Standard Deep Poverty and Low Income

Several Ways to Measure Family Finances

Annual Income for Family of Three in West Virginia, 2012

50% FPL (Deep Poverty)

Federal Poverty Level

*WV Self-Sufficiency Standard

200% FPL (Low Income)

Median Family Income

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000

$9,545

$19,090

$36,835

$38,180

$53,679

Source: U.S. Census Bureau*One adult, one preschooler, and one toddler in Kanawha County. In 2012 dollars.

Deep Poverty & Low Income

Deep Poverty45%

Almost Half of Poor Children are in “Deep Poverty”

Below 200% FPL49%

Almost Half of All Children are Low-Income

Source: 2011 American Community Survey

How many children live in poverty?

Under 6 Under 18 18-64 65 and older

29.6%

25.3%

18.5%

10.4%

25.6%

22.2%

14.8%

9.3%

West VirginiaUnited States

Source: 2011 American Community Survey

Who is more likely to live in poverty?

63%

Children whose parents did not graduate from

high school

50%

Single Mothers

42%

African American Children

71%

Children with Unemployed Parents

What areas have more child poverty? ?

What areas have more young child poverty? ?

Recession Increased Child Poverty

2008 2009 2010 20110.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

18.2%

22.2%

23.0% 25.3%

Child Poverty Rate, 2008-2011

United States West Virginia

Source: American Community Survey, 2007 through 2011

Historic Rates of Poverty

1969 1979 1989 1999 2007-20110.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

19.1%

23.2%

39.2%

10.3%

Under 1865 & OverAll

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Decinnial Census 1970-2000 and 5-Year American Community Survey 2007-2011

Persistent Child Poverty

Key Characteristics of 21 Persistently High Child Poverty Counties

Very Rural 3 of 21 Non-Rural

Slower Job Growth (1969-2011) 21 County Average = 25.8% WV Average = 42.4%

Slower Population Growth 21 County Average = -4.9% WV Average = 6.3%

Less Economic Diversity (2011)

Lower Life Expectancy (2006) 21 County Average = 71.2 years WV Average = 72.1 years

Higher Rate of Uninsured (2011) 21 County Average = 19.1% WV Average = 17.4%

Higher Unemployment Rate (2011) 21 County Average = 9% WV Average = 8%

Policies and Programs that Address Child Poverty in West Virginia

States with Child Poverty Task Forces

How should we address child poverty?

Build leadership at all levels Set a goal and work toward it Choose priorities Maximize current resources Enact new policies Ensure good results

Will you join us?