Child Poverty in Washington Ranks Lower than the National Average
OLYMPIA – Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington child poverty rates are lower than the national average. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP), a public policy center based in New York, children in Washington are less likely to live in poverty than young people in other states.
“Our efforts to reduce child poverty in Washington are beginning to pay off, but we still have a lot of work to do before we’ve met the needs of all children,” said Governor Gregoire.
Two policy strategies to reduce child poverty rates include getting a living wage job and supporting parents and their young children, according to the NCCP. Here in Washington, these are not just recommendations.
“We emphasize the importance of work and help maximize the benefits of working by supporting families,” said Deb Marley, Assistant Secretary of DSHS’ Economic Services Administration.
How Washington is working to eliminate child poverty:
- Governor Gregoire’s budget proposal for 2007 – 2009 delivers on her promise to provide health insurance for all children by covering an additional 32,000 children who do not currently have coverage. This proposal will help Washington meet Governor Gregoire’s goal of covering all children by 2010.
- Washington’s minimum wage is the highest in the nation. It was recently adjusted for inflation and is now $7.93.
- The number of families receiving public assistance in Washington is the lowest it has been since 1982. Parents are finding employment and staying employed.
- Washington’s post-assistance transitional services keep people connected with the workforce. These services include food, medical and childcare assistance. Other support services help families remain employed by paying for expenses related to work, such as transportation and clothing.
- Working Connections Child Care is a program that helps low-income parents by subsidizing their childcare expenses. From 1998 to 2006, there was a 48 percent increase in enrollment in Working Connections Child Care.
- With the help of family support professionals through the Washington Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, families have an opportunity to develop their parenting and family advocacy skills. Governor Gregoire’s budget proposes to expand this program to serve an additional 2,000 children.
To learn more about Washington services and programs to eliminate child poverty, please visit:
Working Connections Child Care
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
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