Kids Count report paints grim picture of life for county's children

from The Flint Journal

Posted by Shantell M. Kirkendoll

GENESEE COUNTY -- Tough times in Genesee County are having a huge impact on children, who are increasingly living in poverty and signing up for free meals, according to an annual report.

The newest findings in Kids Count in Michigan, a report on the well-being of children from their health to how they do in school, points to some gains in local children's math skills, but by and large shows a grim picture of what life is like at home.

About 26,000 children age 17 and under lived in poverty in 2006, a 22 percent jump since 2000, and 35,199 get free or reduced-cost lunch. To qualify for the meal program, a family of three must make no more than $31,000 a year.

Living in poverty may literally be tearing families apart. In 2006, slightly more than 12 percent of Genesee County children lived in out-of-home care because of abuse or neglect. That's one of the worst rates in Michigan.

"When you look at the stresses families have, financial worries are up there," said Gail Stimson, president and executive director of Priority Children, a Flint-based child advocacy group.

"This doesn't mean every poor family is abusive, but (financial worries) start to be a tipping point. Poverty and abuse is not a cause and effect, but there's certainly a connection."

Poverty among children is not surprising considering the area's unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in 2006. The Kids Count report showed some progress despite the financial challenges.

Figures show a significant increase in the number of children tested for lead poisoning -- an average of 5,211 in 2003-2005 compared to 2,231 in 1998-2000 -- and fewer of them had high lead levels.

A national trend of dropping teen pregnancy is apparent in Genesee County where pregnancies among girls, ages 15-19, fell 22 percent, but it's not the case for low birthweight babies.

Low birthweight continues to be an issue in Genesee County and one in 10 babies born weighs 5 1/2 pounds or less. It could reflect being born premature or the health of the mother, such as whether she smoked.

In spite of gains, Genesee County children still lag behind the rest of Michigan in math skills. In 2006-2007, 16.4 percent of fourth-graders did not meet math standards. Statewide15.4 percent of fourth-graders missed the mark.

During the 2002-2003 school year, half of eighth graders underperformed on math tests, and in 2006-2007, it had improved to 38.2 percent. But across the state, only 31.9 percent missed math standards.

Poverty may also have an impact on how well children do in school, said Terri Stangl, executive director of the Center for Civil Justice.
Impoverished families have more mobility as they search for affordable housing, and along with missed meals, contribute to poorer performance in classroom.

"Genesee County has challenges ahead of it," she said. "Education is part of the long-term process of getting out of poverty."

The Kids Count report is put together by groups including the Michigan League for Human Services and Michigan's Children.

The report was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and local United Ways.