MassBUdget: Concentrated Poverty Affects 90,000 Massachusetts Children

Economic Growth Doesn't Reach All Neighborhoods in the Commonwealth

90,000 Kids in Massachusetts Live in Concentrated Poverty New Data Highlights How Concentrated Child Poverty Persists Despite Economic Growth  Did you know that more than 1 in 16 children live in concentrated poverty in the Commonwealth? Using recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Annie E. Casey Foundation's data snapshot, we examined how concentrated poverty has affected children across the state despite a long period of national economic expansion. In Massachusetts, living in high-poverty neighborhoods affects six percent of all children, and these neighborhoods are mostly in the Gateway Cities and the City of Boston.  Our new snapshot on concentrated poverty in the Commonwealth http://massbudget.org/reports/pdf/Concentrated%20Poverty%20(002).pdf "Growing up in high-poverty neighborhoods has long-term impacts on our kids," said Marie-Frances Rivera, MassBudget's President. "All children and families deserve quality education, housing and access to opportunity. Investing in solutions that uplift children in poverty will create the change needed for everyone in the Commonwealth to thrive." Growing up in a community of concentrated poverty - that is, a neighborhood where 30 percent or more of the population is living in poverty - is one of the greatest risks to child development. Alarmingly, more than 8.5 million children live in these settings. That's nearly 12 percent of all children in the United States. Children in high-poverty neighborhoods tend to lack access to healthy food and quality medical care and they often face greater exposure to environmental hazards, such as poor air quality, and toxins such as lead.  Financial hardships can also cause chronic stress linked to diabetes, heart disease and stroke. And when these children grow up, they are more likely to have lower incomes than children who have relocated away from communities of concentrated poverty. Children should be allowed to learn and grow no matter where they live or their socioeconomic status. Policies at the community and state level that can have a significant impact on the lives of children in struggling families include: Fixing our "upside-down" state and local tax system so that those who have benefited most from our economic growth pay their fair share and invest in the public good to ensure a bright future for our children; Providing equitable education funding so that opportunity is available to young people from all communities and backgrounds to give them the chance to succeed; Ensuring that all our neighbors and family members have the same opportunities to thrive regardless of immigration status; Investing in our public transit systems, roads, and bridges to allow everyone access to economic opportunity and jobs; and Guaranteeing that all workers can earn decent wages to help keep a roof overhead, provide for their families, and receive dignity and respect from their employers. MassBudget thanks the Mass. Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) for supporting our research on poverty and their work in calling on national, state and local stakeholders to act now to help families lift themselves out of these circumstances.  Interested in learning how you can help combat child poverty? View the snapshot here and join the conversation with us online @MassBudget.  The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.  Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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MassBudget: "Towards Equity," 2019 Kids Count Data Book, and the State of Education in Massachusetts

Towards Equity: Massachusetts Education Funding Reform Proposals Grapple to Provide Resources to Students Most in Need Students have the best chance of succeeding when their schools are equipped with the resources to serve them effectively. While Massachusetts is regarded as a national leader in education, we are leaving some of our students behind. The state's schools funding formula, known as Chapter 70, has not been comprehensively updated in 25 years and this has left schools, administrators, and entire districts across the Commonwealth unable to adequately support all students. In our new report, Towards Equity: School Funding Reform in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) examines recent proposals from the Legislature and Governor Baker to update the state's education funding formula. While the current Chapter 70 funding formula helps some students reach their full potential, more statewide aid is required to make the improvements that would ensure all students are able to succeed. "Providing high-quality public education that allows all of our students the opportunity to reach their full potential can improve both the lives of our children and the long-term vibrancy of our society," said Marie-Frances Rivera, MassBudget's President. "For public education to reach this aim in Massachusetts, it is critical that funding reforms reach every child in the state - regardless of their socioeconomic status, zip code, or race." In the Commonwealth, wealthier communities are able to provide excellent schools through ample local tax revenue, an option not available to some of our communities who serve students with higher needs. In order for Massachusetts to truly lead the nation in education, it must move forward this once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance equity for all. The proposed reforms have the chance to close scholastic achievement gaps that particularly impact low-income students and English Language Learners (ELL). The report contains data by district and finds that proposed changes under the most progressive reform proposal (the Promise Act) - when fully phased in after seven years - could mean as much as $1.41 billion in additional annual funding for school districts across Massachusetts. Under the more moderate proposal from Governor Baker, districts would receive $460 million extra aid in 2026. "Bringing our school funding formula into the 21st century would allow us to better serve and support students," said Senior Policy Analyst Colin Jones, lead author of the report. "With increased funding, districts across Massachusetts would have greater ability to support effective practices such as early childhood programs, wraparound social services, after school opportunities, and career-technical education. These types of approaches have increased achievement, particularly for disadvantaged kids." Read the full Towards Equity report here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Towards-Equity-School-Funding-Reform-in-Massachusetts.html. 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book Highlights Need for Investments in Education, Housing, Public Programs in Massachusetts Massachusetts has always been strongest when it has been open to newcomers. As classrooms, pediatricians' offices and homes become more diverse, the need to ensure every child has the chance to thrive - regardless of where they live or how wealthy their families are - is ever more important. That's a key takeaway as the 2019 KIDS COUNT® Data Book - the most comprehensive annual report on children's well-being - is released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "Even though Massachusetts has always been a national leader in math and reading education, half the state's children still lag behind on math and reading proficiency," said Nancy Wagman, director of KIDS COUNT in Massachusetts. "No single program or service can ensure that our kids do well - we need to support our children in all aspects of their lives, by investing in their schools, affordable housing, libraries and programs to help their parents get good jobs. Data indicates that the child population has grown more diverse- and a wealthy state like ours can do more to invest in equitable public education for our children." According to the Data Book, Massachusetts leads the nation in health measures, reading levels and mathematic achievement, but the share of children living in poverty is the same as it was in 2010 - 14 percent. Within each domain, Massachusetts ranks: 15th in economic well-being. Massachusetts has fallen four places from last year's ranking in this dimension.The share of Massachusetts children whose parents lack full-time, year-round employment decreased by 10 percent since 2010. First in education. Massachusetts children remain first in mathematic achievement (with 50 percent of eighth-graders scoring at or above proficient level) and reading level (with 51 percent of fourth-graders scoring at or above proficient level). The percent of 3- and 4-year-olds attending school has stayed essentially the same since 2009-2011. First in health. The state remains first in the nation in ensuring children have health insurance, but the number of children without health insurance rose slightly between 2016 and 2017. 10th in family and community domain. Massachusetts' rank slipped one place since last year's ranking in this dimension, which includes children living in high-poverty areas and teen birth rates. Interested in learning more on the state of child well-being in Massachusetts? Read or download your copy of the Data Book here https://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-2019kidscountdatabook-2019.pdf. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

MassBudget: Progress in reducing poverty in Massachusetts slows in 2017

October 2, 2018 Progress in reducing poverty in Massachusetts slows in 2017 Although the state has made significant gains in poverty reduction and income growth in recent years, especially since the recession, year-over-year progress began to slow in 2017. Compared to 2016, the poverty rate was essentially flat, and median household income grew at a much slower pace. More than one in 10 Massachusetts residents lived below the poverty line in 2017, essentially the same as the rate in 2016, according to a new Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) brief, Massachusetts Poverty Rate Flat, Median Income Growth Slowed in 2017. Although progress slowed in the past year, Massachusetts' poverty rate is close to pre-recession levels, at 9.9 percent, and is the 10th lowest in the country. From 2016 to 2017, Massachusetts saw a 0.6 percent growth in median household income, from $76,901 to $77,385 (in 2017 dollars) - a growth rate that ranked 37th nationally. Read the full report here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Census-Income-and-Poverty-2018.html. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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MassBudget: Undercount of Massachusetts Children Could Affect Federally Funded Supports

KIDS COUNT 2018 Data Book released

June 27, 2018 Undercount of Massachusetts Children Could Affect Federally Funded Supports 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book shows how a 2020 census undercount could harm childhood health, education, economic well-being, and family stability. As the nation heads toward the 2020 census, new estimates show that 104,000 (29 percent) of the state's youngest children live in neighborhoods where the census has historically had difficulty achieving an accurate count. Counting all people in the state accurately plays an important role in determining federal funding for communities. While Massachusetts is ranked second in the nation on child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an undercount of Massachusetts children could adversely impact the programs and supports that have aided the state's progress and allowed children to thrive. MassBudget is the KIDS COUNT®  organization for Massachusetts. An undercount could affect the services that help the families make ends meet. In Fiscal Year 2015, the federal government supported Massachusetts children in a variety of ways, such as through $280.9 million for special education services, $146.9 for the Head Start program, and $76.3 million for affordable child care. The annual KIDS COUNT® Data Book uses 16 indicators to rank each state across four domains - health, education, economic well-being, and family and community - as an assessment of child well-being. Massachusetts ranks second overall. According to the Data Book, Massachusetts leads the nation in health measures, reading levels and mathematic achievement, but the share of children living in poverty is the same as it was in 2010 - 14 percent. Within each domain, Massachusetts ranks: 11th in economic well-being. The share of Massachusetts children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment decreased by 10 percent since 2010. Second in education. Massachusetts children remain first in mathematic achievement (with 50 percent of eighth-graders scoring at or above proficient level) and reading level (with 51 percent of fourth-graders scoring at or above proficient level). The number of 3- and 4-year olds attending school has stayed essentially the same since 2009-2011. First in health. The state remains first in the nation in ensuring children have health insurance and has seen a slight decrease since 2010 in the percent of babies born with a low birthweight. Ninth in family and community domain. The state has seen a 47 percent drop in teen birth rates since 2010, and has seen a slight decrease in the number of children living in high-poverty neighborhoods. In 2016, about 8 percent of children lived in high-poverty neighborhoods. Massachusetts' rankings on economic well-being and in the family and community domain indicate that raising the incomes of low- to middle-income families and improving employment opportunities remain important challenges for the Commonwealth. Getting an accurate scope of the challenges, however, requires an accurate census count. The 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book is available at www.aecf.org/databook, See also the Kids Count Data Center for national, state, and local data on hundreds of indicators of child well-being. Readers may also be interested in a discussion of policies affecting child well-being as well as state and local data in MassBudget's recent report Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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MassBudget: Caring for Kids

Majority of Massachusetts Children Have Benefitted from MassHealth Programs

June 19, 2018 Caring for Kids: Majority of Massachusetts Children Have Benefitted from MassHealth Programs MassHealth insurance plays a crucial role in providing health coverage and health care security for the children of Massachusetts, insuring more than half of the Commonwealth's children at some point each year. Health insurance is crucial for ensuring access to necessary health care services. When children don't have health insurance, they are more likely to go without needed medical care, go without needed medications, and are more likely to miss preventive health care visits. In 2017, more than half - 57 percent - of the Commonwealth's children received health insurance coverage from MassHealth according to new data released by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. This number includes approximately 555,000 children covered by Medicaid at some point in 2017, and 220,000 children covered by CHIP. For some of these children, MassHealth provides primary coverage; and for others, MassHealth supplements other insurance. MassHealth covers a wide range of children, including MassHealth Standard for those in low-income families, CHIP coverage for children in families with incomes up to three times the official poverty level (approximately $75,300 for a family of four), and CommonHealth coverage at a sliding fee scale for children with disabilities at all incomes. Although Massachusetts lawmakers are currently debating proposals to reform health insurance payment and delivery systems, and there has been debate over the extent of MassHealth coverage for adults, the state's coverage of children is a recognized success. As a result of decades' long commitment to health reform and coverage expansions, Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in providing almost universal health insurance to children. Based on the most recent available U.S. census figures, 99 percent of children under age 19 in Massachusetts have health insurance.   Find this report on our website. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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MassBudget: Examining Today's New Census Data on Income, Poverty, Children

Examining Today's Census Data on Income, Poverty, Children BOSTON - Sept. 14 - Showing the effects of a strong economy in 2016, new data from the U.S. Census finds that the median income (the income of the household at the midpoint of the income distribution) in Massachusetts increased 5.8 percent in 2016 and that poverty in the state declined significantly: from 11.5 percent to 10.4 percent. A new brief (PDF) from MassBudget finds the decline in poverty likely reflects both the overall strength of the state economy and increases in the state minimum wage that occurred in 2015 and 2016. "It's good news that incomes are up and poverty is down. But too many families in our state are still struggling. The state median wage remains below where it was in 2009, and more than one in eight children in our state live in poverty. The progress our state has made should encourage us to continue to work to expand opportunity and to help working families to become more economically secure." The new data from the Census also show a decline in child poverty. Improving the economic security of the families in which low income children are growing up has been shown to have long term positive effects for those children. A separate brief (PDF) released by MassBudget today, examines the implications of today's Census data for children. Read the new MassBudget brief examining today's Census data on income and poverty (PDF) Read MassBudget's new KIDS COUNT brief on the implication of today's data for kids (PDF) The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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