Release of the 2010 Montana KIDS COUNT Data Book!

DATA SHOWS MONTANA CHILDREN AFFECTED BY RECESSION

One in four Montana children under the age of five continues to live in poverty, according to the 2010 Montana KIDS COUNT Data Book published by The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

This year’s Montana state data book features data regarding children and families in the areas of economic well-being, education, health, early childhood, safety and more.   The book includes more than 100 indicators at the state level and more than 30 data items for each of Montana’s 56 counties. 

“Children become the silent victims when families face economic insecurity, and this year’s book shows there has been a decline in some child well-being indicators over the past decade” said Julie Ehlers, Montana KIDS COUNT communications director. “To see these indicators not change or deteriorate over time emphasizes the importance of using data to guide decision making.” 

This year’s publication reveals that Montana’s children are being hit by the recession, as shown through the following indicators:

·    Number of children in extreme poverty increases: 11 percent of children under age 18 live in extreme poverty, at or below 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Line. This is up from 8 percent in 2008. Additionally, 25 percent of Montana’s children under age 5 live in poverty, at or below 100 percent FPL, up from 17 percent in 2000. 

·    SNAP participation nearly doubles since 2000:   Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamps program, has increased to a monthly average of 109,000 in 2009. This is up from 60,000 in 2000.

·    Teen unemployment rate increases: Montana’s unemployment rate for teens age 16-19 has seen a steady increase over the past decade, reaching a high in 2009 of 16.6 percent, up from 10.3 percent in 2007. 

·    Free/Reduced-Price Lunch eligibility increases: The percentage of pre-K-12 children who are eligible for school free/reduced-price lunch programs has increased to 40 percent in 2009.  This is up from 32 percent in 2000.

Despite the stark implications of the current economic recession, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that we are doing right by our children in many ways. Infant mortality and teen births are down, while the overall number of babies born in the state continues an upward trend.

“The growing numbers in the 0-5 age cohort will eventually translate into higher school-enrollment numbers, reversing the downward trend we’ve witnessed over the past decade or so,” said Thale Dillon, director of economic research for Montana KIDS COUNT.

Other positive indicators in this year’s data book include a decrease in the number of accidents among teen drivers, with one-third fewer accidents compared with 2000. Additionally, the rate of seatbelt use among teens continues to climb, reaching 87 percent in 2009 ― the highest rate on record.

Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Montana KIDS COUNT is a statewide effort to track the status and well-being of Montana children by collecting and publishing data and analyses. 2010 marks the 10th consecutive year that Montana KIDS COUNT has produced a state data book summarizing state and county information on Montana’s children and families in such areas as demographics, economic well-being, education, health and health insurance, safety and early childhood.

The 2010 Montana KIDS COUNT Data Book, as well as all the statistics included in the book, can be viewed by clicking here.