Name of Report: 2004 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook (Economic Well-Being Indicators) Organizational Affiliation: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Author: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Contact Information: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, One Union Station, Providence , RI 02903 401-351-9400 (phone); 401-351-1758 (fax); rikids@rikidscount.org (email); www.rikidscount.org (website)
Date: 2004
Pages: 144
Content Summary
The 2004 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook provides statistical data on the status of children in cities and towns across the state of Rhode Island , and is an important resource for community leaders and policy makers. This tenth annual work also includes an aggregate profile based on the data from six core cities ( Providence , Pawtucket , Woonsocket , Newport , Central Falls , and West Warwick ) in which more than fifteen percent of children are impoverished. Using the most current available data, the 2004 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook presents 54 indicators in the areas of Family and Community, Economic Well-Being, Health, Safety and Education.
Major Findings
The findings presented here reflect information from the eight indicators in the Economic Well-being section of the 2004 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook. All data is specific to the state of Rhode Island , unless otherwise mentioned. The Factbook also includes additional data on Rhode Island ’s 39 cities and towns.
Median Household Income
- The drop in the U.S. median income in 2002 was concentrated among minorities.
- Median household income declined for all racial groups, except those identifying themselves as White or Asian only.
- In 2002, the Rhode Island median household income decreased for all races.
Cost of Rent
- In the U.S. , severe cost burdens fall disproportionately on minority households, with nearly one in three spending more than half of their income on housing.
- Increased income inequality and the decline in federal housing subsidies have hindered construction of low-income housing which has increased competition for substandard housing.
Parental Employment
- Parental employment increased for Black, Hispanic, and White children in the U.S. between 1995 and 2001. Black, non-Hispanic children and Hispanic children have experienced the largest increase. Must of this increase is due to the increased in percentage of children living with single mothers who are employed full-time and year-round.
- Nationally, Hispanic and Black children continue to be less likely than White, non-Hispanic children to live with at least one parent with full-time, year-round employment.
Children Receiving Child Support
- Black and Hispanic mothers were among the populations least likely to receive the child support due under court order.
- Even when there is a child support order in place, child support payments tend to be low and unreliable.
Children in Poverty
- Children of color and children of immigrants are more likely to grow up poor.
- Rhode Island has the highest percentage of Latino children (47%) living below the federal poverty threshold in the U.S. (28%) and the highest percentage of Black children (38%) living below the federal poverty threshold in New England .
Children in the Family Independence Program (FIP)
- Adults enrolled in FIP in 2003 are more likely to have low literacy levels, not have a high school diploma, and have limited English-speaking skills.
Children Receiving Food Stamps
- In 2001, the USDA estimated that only 61% to 73% of people eligible for the Food Stamp program participated.
- Low-income children in the core cities are more likely to receive Food Stamps than eligible children in the remainder of the state.
Children Participating in School Breakfast
- Hispanics are among the populations in Rhode Island who are most likely to report that they do not have enough food to meet their basic needs.
- Universal School Breakfast programs remove stigma that arises when breakfast is only offered to low-income students. Efforts to develop this program in all core cities are underway.
Related Issues
This report shows that in 2002, median household income declined for all racial groups except those identifying themselves as White or Asian only. Asian immigrants have largely been overlooked in research on citizenship status and poverty, compared to other ethnic minorities. A 2002 report (Kwon, et al.) examines this relationship, and is useful for policy makers seeking to raise levels of human capital and acculturation within immigrant populations as a means to improving their economic well-being.
Reference List
Kwon, Hee-Kyung , Virginia S. Zuiker, and Jean W. Bauer. “Factors Associated with the Poverty Status of Asian Immigrant Householders by Citizenship Status.” Journal of Family and Economic Issues 25.1 (2004): 101-120.
How to Access Report
http://www.rikidscount.org/