Child Poverty Rates in The US 2014

Child Poverty Rates in The US is on the Rise | Child Poverty in 2014 Up Again!

50 years after the start of the War on Poverty, and the anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid and Food Stamps, many programs that have helped millions of Americans, why are we losing ground? Today we should end corporate welfare and giant tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires and make more progress on creating equity. What keeps Americans from opening their hearts and demanding we change bad public policy that favors the rich. Almost 20 million kids living in poverty!

Child Poverty

More than 16 million children in the United States – 22% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $23,550 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 45% of children live in low-income families.

Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.

Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies – to make work pay for low-income parents and to provide high-quality early care and learning experiences for their children – can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.http://www.nccp.org/topics/childpoverty.html

Publications

• Energy Insecurity Among Families with Children
  Brief, January 2014
• Knowing What Works
  States and Cities Build Smarter Social Policy with New and Improved Poverty Measurement
  Report, April 2013
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under 18 Years, 2011
  Fact Sheet, January 2013
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Aged 12 through 17 Years, 2011
  Fact Sheet, January 2013
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Aged 6 through 11 Years, 2011
  Fact Sheet, January 2013
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under 6 Years, 2011
  Fact Sheet, January 2013
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under 3 Years, 2011
  Fact Sheet, January 2013
• Paid Family Leave
  Stengthening Families and Our Future
  Report, April 2012