Kentucky ranks within the 10 worst states for children in terms of economic well-being, according to a recent report.
The report, called Kids Count, measured child well-being for all 50 states by combining 2016 data within the domains of economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Data from 2016 are the most recent available for every state. Within those four domains, there are a total of 16 measures, such as death rate, alcohol and drug use, and poverty.
Ohio ranks 22, Indiana at 24 and Kentucky at 40 for the economic well-being of children.
The study shows how critical headcount is when it comes to divvying up billions in federal funding for programs like the Brighton Center in Newport, Kentucky.
Early Childhood Education Director Dellisa Ford-Edwards said Brighton helped about 2,000 families last year with job training, affordable housing and childcare.
Ford-Edwards said all three things are necessary to help struggling families rise from poverty.
“Fifty-nine percent of children are still not getting their support … so access and connecting families to those resources is crucial,” Ford-Edwards said.
Patti Craig works with Children’s Inc., another local nonprofit in Greater Cincinnati. She said she was surprised that 25 percent of children and families are living in poverty in Kentucky.
The study also found that more than half of three and four year olds in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are not enrolled in preschool.
Ford-Edwards wants people to know that other people want to help them.
“Call. We are available. Brighton Center services wants you. We want to help you,” Ford-Edwards said.
Brighton Center
741 Central Avenue
Newport, KY
859-491-8303
Children’s Inc.
333 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
859-431-2075
