| March 9, 2020 Contact: Jennifer Miller/Elizabeth Goodsitt 608-266-1683 Office of Children's Mental Health Focuses on Eliminating Childhood Poverty Office of Children's Mental Health Director Linda Hall today announces the publication of a new fact sheet Supporting Child Well-being through Eliminating Childhood Poverty, and details what our communities, schools, parents, and policymakers can do to make a difference. - Growing up in poverty is detrimental to a child's overall well-being, affecting virtually every area of their life.
- When we stop the cycle of intergenerational poverty, children have an increased opportunity to attend a post-secondary program, achieve higher incomes, live in stable housing, and have better quality and length of life.
- When the cost of childcare, economic safety net programs, and tax burdens placed on low-income workers is considered, the percentage of families living in poverty has been increasing since 2015.
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Adults in households that are struggling often work as cashiers, nursing assistants, laborers, and security guards. Any change in expenses may push them into poverty. - 70% of Single Female with Children households don't have enough income to make ends meet, but earn too much for safety net programs.
- Food insecurity and housing instability plague children in poverty, but the pandemic makes it more difficult for families to provide basic needs. Black and Brown families are having a harder time providing basic needs than White families.
What We Can Do - Parents can encourage and support children to complete high school and avoid risk factors for poverty.
- Communities can remove barriers to child-care and transportation so adults have access to more job opportunities.
- Schools can teach children how to build strong relationship skills to ensure successful school and employment outcomes.
- Policymakers can raise the minimum wage and Earned Income Tax Credits.
See the complete fact sheet See previous fact sheets | 
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