Federal pandemic supports have turned the tide on child poverty; New York is positioned to ensure the progress continues.

Federal pandemic supports have turned the tide on child poverty; New York is positioned to ensure the progress continues.

Census poverty data released on September 14, 2021 delivered some promising news:  the pandemic stimulus interventions – particularly the expanded child tax credit – reduced the national child poverty rate (SPM) by 3% (4.6 million children). Now, to build on this progress, we are looking to Governor Hochul to sign and enact the Child Poverty Reduction Act, S.2755C/A.1160C as one of her first acts as Governor. The bill, with bi-partisan co-sponsorship, swept through the Legislature last spring with near-unanimous support from upstate and downstate, rural, urban, and suburban legislators and constituents. Signing this legislation would serve as a declaration from New York’s leaders of the State’s intent to cut child poverty in half in ten years, while simultaneously advancing racial equity. The Child Poverty Reduction Act provides New York the tools needed to reduce child poverty. It commits to cutting child poverty in half in ten years, requires an annual public report of the effects of budget proposals on child poverty and regular reporting on progress, and establishes the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council to develop a plan to achieve the goal. As New York mounts its recovery from the pandemic, this legislation will ensure that our children are centered in that recovery. 

The pandemic relief federal stimulus has been lifesaving to families who continue to be hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly families with young children still ineligible for the vaccine. Since the pandemic hit New York, its impacts have caused hundreds of thousands more children and families to fall into poverty or near-poverty (FPL), in addition to the 700,000 children living in poverty, or 18% of all New York children, living in poverty before the pandemic struck. Racial inequities have widened and been laid bare. By March 2021, 31% of New York adults reported it had been somewhat or very difficult to pay for usual household expenses and 24% reported not being current on rent or mortgage, with eviction or foreclosure in the next two months likely.   

The Child Poverty Reduction Act positions New York to build on recent important wins for New York children, including the state minimum wage increase, and the recently released plan of the Child Care Availability Task Force to dramatically expand access to affordable, quality child care. These are important springboards for progress, but not enough on their own to ensure we achieve a significant—and lasting—reduction in child poverty in New York.  

For our children experiencing poverty, every day that we fail to prioritize ending child poverty puts them more at risk for material hardship and negative long-term outcomes. The experience of poverty and trauma in childhood can have long-lasting impacts on development. The toxic stress of poverty can alter the brain development of young children—causing permanent changes in the structure and functioning of the brain. As a result, many children who experience poverty face significant challenges—in the form of poor health, academic obstacles, and lower earnings—for the rest of their lives. With the stakes so high, there should be no delay in tackling child poverty in every inch of our great state. 

Learn more about our work to reduce child poverty in New York:  

#CountAllKids: Resources for the 2020 Census

#CountAllKids: Resources for the 2020 Census

On March 9, 2020, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA) and the Council for Children and Families (CCF) held a webinar, #CountAllKids: Resources for the 2020 Census. With over 30 attendees, the webinar was led by Cate Bohn, the Executive Director of CCF, and Matilda Gragg, SCAA’s AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow. The webinar addressed the importance of counting all kids in the 2020 Census, tools available to educate staff and families about the Census, and where to find materials and educational resources.

Children obtain a strong political representation when counted in the Census. The more number of children counted, the more federal funding for programs that affect social determinants of health, such as Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and child care. A complete count ensures a better distribution of funds to where they are needed most: low-income schools, special education, and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Numerous groups, organizations, and agencies are reaching out to parents and families to ensure all kids are counted. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is encouraging pediatrics to be a source to families for information and education on the 2020 Census. Pediatricians are encouraged to ask parents if they have filled out the Census form for their children, starting at the newborn visit. They are also distributing educational resources, such as factsheets for parents and coloring pages for children. Pediatric health care providers are asked to be sensitive to immigrants’ fears and concerns of being counted in the Census, and to reach out to historically undercounted poor, urban, and minority communities in which they may work.  These providers are reassuring immigrants and other concerned parents these Census answers are confidential and will not be used against them in any way.

Amidst the current uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, parents can find comfort in knowing they don’t have to leave home to fill out the Census. New Yorkers can complete the Census online at my2020census.gov or on the phone by calling 844-330-2020.

Watch the webinar’s recording below or on Youtube.
View the webinar’s PowerPoint.
Article Organizations Can Use For Newsletters


Additional Resources:
Count All Kids
Google Factsheet
Census Bureau

Resources, Children Specific:
Sesame Street’s 2020 Census Workshop
Pre-K Materials

Resources, Children Specific Toolkits:
Counting Young Children
Count All Kids Toolkit

New York State:
New York State’s Commitment to a Full Count
New York Counts 2020

New York State Resources, Children Specific:
Council on Children and Families 2020 Census
Council on Children and Families Census Coloring Sheet

 

#CountAllKids Webinar