interfaith coalition poverty conference 2012 final

Elizabeth Burke Bryant Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

19% (more than 42,000) of Rhode Island’s 221,694 children under age 18 live below the federal poverty threshold

($18,123 for a family of three in 2011). Risk factors for child poverty: ◦ Children under age six ◦ Children of single parents ◦ Children whose parents have low educational levels ◦ Children whose parents work part-time or are

unemployed

In Rhode Island, as well as in the United States as a whole, children who are racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poverty.

In Rhode Island, more than 18,000 children live in extreme poverty.

In 2011, the extreme poverty level is $9,062 for a family of three with two children and $11,406 for a family of four with two children.

Two-thirds of Rhode Island’s children living in poverty live in just four cities – Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

93% of Rhode Island children have health insurance coverage.

Uninsured children do not receive the medical, dental and behavioral health care they need to remain healthy.

Uninsured children are 5 times more likely than insured children to use the ER as a regular site of care.

Approximately 73% (12,459) of the estimated 17,053

uninsured children in Rhode Island were eligible for RIte Care based on their family income, but were not enrolled.

RIte Care is Rhode Island’s health insurance program for low-income children and families.

Two-thirds of Rhode Island’s children who are

insured have health insurance through their parents’ employer-sponsored health insurance policies and one-third through the RIte Care Program.

Rhode Island has made progress in providing access

to dental care through the RIte Smiles program.

Child care costs represent a significant portion of low-income families’ budgets.

Since 2003, there has been a 46% decrease in child care subsidies in Rhode Island.

56% 64% 63% 66%

83% 87% 85%

89%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4th Grade Reading Proficiency

8th Grade Reading Proficiency

11th Grade Reading Proficiency

4-Year Graduation Rate

Low-Income Higher-Income

2011 Data on Achievement Gaps by Income Level