Past and present public policies have a major impact on the disparities in child well-being in Michigan. That’s according to a report released Tuesday by the Michigan League for Public Policy.
According to the report, race, income, and community are some of the biggest indicators of the well-being of Michigan children.
“We need to be thinking about policy reforms to institutions and systems that have created and continue to allow these inequities to continue,” said Kids Count in Michigan Project Director at the Michigan League for Public Policy, Alicia Guevara Warren.
Guevara Warren said the state needs to improve things like access to good, affordable childcare and adult education.
“Making sure that we’re targeting areas that need it the most and that we’re looking at the systems that are creating barriers,” she said.
While Guevara Warren said the connection between race and poverty is nothing new, there is some progress in infant mortality rates.
“It’s really important to note though that we are making progress,” she said. “Although the gaps do continue to exist, the gaps do continue to exist the gaps are starting to somewhat close which is really, points us that we’re doing some things right on the ground.”
The report also found that the percent of Michigan kids living in poverty has gone up since 2008. The rates for children of color are significantly worse than white children.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving.
—Cheyna Roth is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
