RI Home/Family

The report provides detailed census data that

measure how well children are doing nationally and in Rhode Island. The

measures in the City and Rural KIDS COUNT Data Book provide information

on poverty, family structure, parental employment, housing affordability and

education. The data find that too many children growing up in large cities and

in isolated rural communities do not have the support they need to become

successful workers, responsible parents, and engaged citizens.

The KIDS COUNT Special Report: City and Rural KIDS COUNT Data Book

defines large cities as the 50 largest cities in the nation based on population

as of April 1, 2000, and the largest city in each state that did not contain at

least one of the 50 largest cities. The report finds that one out of every six

children in the country lives in one of these large cities. The child poverty rate

in these large cities (26%) is well above the national child poverty rate (17%).

Dr. William O’Hare, author of the report at the Annie E. Casey Foundation,

comments that “the child poverty rate is well above the national average in our

large cities as well as in our isolated rural communities. Too many children are

not getting the kinds of support they need to develop into responsible

productive adults.”

Providence and Large Cities Data

A City KIDS COUNT Pocket Guide accompanying the Special Report

highlights data from 71 large cities across the country. Given the definition of

large cities used in this Special Report, Providence is the only city with

detailed data for Rhode Island.

The 10 indicators highlighted in the Special Report and Pocket Guide are: children living in

poverty; children living in single parent families; children living in families where no parent has fulltime,

year-round employment; children living with a household head who dropped out of high

school; share of low-income families (with children) spending more than 30% of their income on

housing; children without a telephone at home; children without a vehicle at home; children ages 5

– 17 who have difficulty speaking English; teens who are high school drop-outs; and, teens not

attending school and not working. In addition, background information is provided on the total

population for Providence, the race and ethnicity of children in the city, and the percentage of

children living in low-income working families.

The new report finds that 25% of the children in Providence live in low-income working families.

Low-income working families are those that work full-time year-round but still have a family

income below 200% of the federal poverty threshold (i.e. below $29,648 for a family of three).

Access to adequate income to pay for housing and other living expenses, affordable health

insurance and quality child care are critical for parents’ to maintain stable employment and for

healthy child development.

The poverty rate for the 45,277 Providence children is 41%, well above the state’s rate of 17%,

and above the rate for large cities (26%). The poverty threshold is defined as family income of

$14,824 for a family of three. Children in poverty, especially those in poverty for extended periods

of time, are more likely to have health and behavioral problems, experience difficulty in school,

become teen parents, earn less as adults and are unemployed more frequently.

Especially compelling is a new indicator in this report showing that two-thirds (66%) of Providence

children live in families that spend more than a third of their income on housing. This is

comparable to the rate for Rhode Island (67%) and the 50-city average (65%) and higher than the

national rate of 61%. Families with high cost burdens for housing are likely to go without other

necessities such as food, medicine and clothing in order to pay their rent or mortgage. Severe

financial strain can hinder effective parenting, heighten conflict and contribute to the break-up of

families, and affect children’s educational performance.

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT noted, “We know

what children need to thrive – economic opportunities for their families, supportive and effective

services, quality education and a strong network of support in their community. Rhode Island is

doing exceedingly well in providing for the health of all of its children and has made wise

investments in child care to make sure that families can work and make ends meet.”

Bryant further commented, “Yet, the data for Providence reaffirms what we already know –

children in the core cities are still at risk for not achieving their full potential. Continuing to invest

in quality health care, quality child care, affordable housing, effective schools, and caring

communities can ensure that all Rhode Island children have the resources they need to lead

healthy, happy, and productive lives.”

The KIDS COUNT Special Report: City and Rural KIDS COUNT Data Book is available online at

www.kidscount.org. Also available online are a City KIDS COUNT Pocket Guide and a Rural KIDS

COUNT Pocket Guide.

###

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is a statewide children’s policy organization that works to improve the health,

economic well-being, education, safety and development of Rhode Island children. The organization is

one of fifty state-level organizations that works in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to track

the social condition of children at the state and local level across the country.

Click here for more information

More RI News

Home

The King's Feast Food, frolic, and Fun! 401/573-0300