Schuyler Center’s annual State of New York’s Children Data Book provides a data snapshot of the well-being of New York’s children and families and the challenges New York families are facing. Having good data is imperative to identifying the right policy solutions.

View the full State of New York’s Children 2024 Data Book or find links to specific sections below.

 

All sources and data computations can be found here.

 

A Data Briefing with Schuyler Center’s policy team was held on January 17.

 

• • View the event recording.
  • View the presentation slides.

Press Release: Schuyler Center Releases 2024 State of New York’s Children Data Book, 12/21/23

 

The 2024 Data Book includes the latest data and policy recommendations on the following:

New York State’s Children – Demographics on New York’s population of children.

A State Commitment to Reducing Child Poverty – Far too many children (nearly 20%), in all corners of NYS, live in poverty, which can have long-reaching impacts on children’s lives. There are steps the State can – and should – take now to reduce poverty and alleviate its impacts on NY children.

Tax Credits to Help Families Make Ends Meet – Refundable tax credits are among the most effective ways to reduce poverty and alleviate tax burdens for NY families. As families across the state struggle to make ends meet, NY should work to strengthen its family tax credits this year to make NY more affordable for all families.

Keeping the Youngest New Yorkers Insured – 45% of New York children are covered by Medicaid and Child Health Plus. Eliminating the requirement for the youngest New Yorkers to be re-enrolled every year would ensure that children have continuous access to health services in the most critical years of their development. Several other states are providing continuous enrollment for the youngest children. New York should be next.

Fostering Transparency and Accountability in New York’s Child Welfare System– Transparency and accountability are needed in New York’s child welfare system. Over 76% of reports to Child Protective Services are unfounded, a determination made only after the family has undergone an invasive, stressful, often traumatic investigation. When families have easy access to economic supports and trusted resources in their community, children thrive – even when their parents earn low incomes. 

Bolstering the Child Care System with a Well-Compensated Workforce –Well-compensated, well-supported educators perform the essential work of making high-quality universal child care a reality for New York’s children and families. Currently, child care educators earn less than 96% of occupations in New York State.

Investing in Oral Health Equity – Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet dental caries remain the most common chronic disease of childhood, especially for children experiencing poverty. All children deserve to be free from the pain and lasting impacts of dental disease. Families should have easy and affordable access to preventive and treatment services to maintain good childhood oral health.

Lowering Barriers to Assistance for a More Equitable Child Care System – New York has made important strides in expanding access to child care, however significant barriers remain in the way of accessing child care and early education that works for families and meets the developmental needs of children. Without assistance, the cost of child care is out of reach for nearly all New York families.

Find more on Schuyler Center’s 2024 Policy Priorities for Child and Family Well-Being.