1/31/13 - A new report shows that child poverty continues to be a vexing problem for Michigan, with more than 500,000 kids living at or below the poverty line. Thatâs according to the annual "Kids Count" survey released today. It reports that children in low-income families are at greater risk for poor health, teen pregnancy and academic failure. Jane Zehnder-Merrell is the Kids Count in Michigan project director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, which compiles the Kids Count report. She pointed out a dramatic increase in child abuse and neglect in Michigan, as the state has continued to cut back on child abuse prevention services. "Whether it's referral for other services or interventions, we're not there when we need to be, so kids suffer. That's very troubling." According to the Kids Count report, child poverty in Michigan increased 17 percent between 2007 and 2011. In Livingston County, the number of children living in households below the federal poverty guidelines increased from 2,725 in 2007 to 3,918 in 2011; a 30% increase. In Michigan, the report recommended that state legislators improve the social safety net by increasing unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks, raising the state Earned Income Tax Credit from 6 percent to 20 percent of the federal EITC, and expanding eligibility for child care subsidies. (JK)
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