| Recession Impacts Oklahoma Children |
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| Wednesday, 17 August 2011 00:01 |
New infor mation released today shows that more Oklahoma children are living in poverty as our nation and state struggle to emerge from an economic downturn. The number of Oklahoma children living in poverty has increased 16 percent in the past nine years, according to data from the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Families of four with an annual household income of $22,050 or less are considered to be below the federal poverty line.
Our most vulnerable citizens suffer when families stress about money and paying bills. Ten percent of Oklahoma children had at least one unemployed parent in 2010 and 3 percent of Oklahoma children had their living situation change because of a foreclosure since 2007, according to data tracked by the KIDS COUNT initiative. "When parents can't meet the basic needs of their families, it becomes even more difficult for them to focus on their children in a positive way," said Linda Terrell, executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. "We need to continue to safeguard programs that help stabilize families in economic free fall. We must ensure that the need of our children are being considered and met." View the Oklahoma State Profile Over the past three years, our state has seen a decrease in revenue, an increase in unemployment and an increase in the number of people asking for help to meet their basic needs, like putting food on the table. Programs that support children and keep their families strong have seen their budgets cut. The data in this release supports the claim that children are not insulated from the economic stresses of the adults in their lives. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has an unwavering commitment to be a voice for Oklahoma's children and families. Children don't vote and they don't write checks to political campaigns. But they are our future. We must safeguard investments in services that will keep Oklahoma children and families strong and healthy. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 August 2011 00:17 |
