CPPP.org Jennifer Lee, Research Associate, Center for Public Policy PrioritiesApril 23, 2015

Texas is ranked the 43rd best state to be a kid.

To be the

#1 state for

KIDS!

c

Health

27% of Texas kids (1.9 million) live in food-insecure households.

CACFP helps feed

nearly 200,000 kids

in more than 14,000 child

care sites throughout

Texas.

Texas is ranked 49th for children with health insurance.

Child uninsured rates have decreased in Texas

“Welcome Mat” effect: Insure more parents,

Insure more kids

Family of 4 making $24,500 (101% of the poverty line)

• No Medicaid for parents

• Access to subsidies

• Monthly Premium = $43 (2.2% of income)

• Kids covered through Medicaid

Family of 4 making $23,500 (96% of the poverty line)

• No Medicaid for parents

• No access to subsidies

• Monthly Premium = $440 (21.6% of income)

• Kids covered through Medicaid

Don’t insure more parents, Insure fewer kids

NOT

women of childbearing age in Texas does not have

health insurance.

babies in TX are born to women who receive late or no prenatal care, increasing the likelihood

of health problems.

Close the Coverage Gap and expand health insurance options for families!

Child Poverty and Family Economic Security

Truth:

1 in 4 Texas

kids lives in poverty.

Child poverty is pervasive throughout Texas

Texas Bexar Dallas Tarrant Travis

25% 24%

30%

22% 21%

Child poverty differs by region

Texas has low parental unemployment rates and high child poverty rates

Why should I care?

Representing 90% of kids in Texas living apart from

their parents

in Texas live in informal or voluntary kinship care

253,000 kids TRUTH:

$93

$1,000

Monthly cash assistance

One-time payment to

grandparents

11,000 kids

648 families

Available assistance is low and not accessible to caregivers

Provide more support for informal kinship caregivers.

Change the state law that prohibits Texas cities from setting their own minimum wage.

Raise the minimum wage!

Make Texas THE BEST state

for kids… and their

hardworking families!

Education

TRUTH:“Texas’ future depends heavily on whether it meets the constitutional obligation to provide a general diffusion of knowledge…

- Former Judge John Dietz, School Finance Case, District Court Ruling, August 28, 2014

Unfortunately, in recent years, Texas has defaulted on its constitutional promise.”

Why are Pre-K & early childhood so important?

Every dollar invested in Pre-K saves Texas a minimum of $3.50

“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

- Frederick Douglass

2 out of 10

Improve Pre-K quality standards and expand Pre-K to a full day

for eligible kids.

Could be better.

To be the

#1 state for

KIDS!

Look Out for KIDS COUNT Data Center Webinar in April!

Center for Public Policy Priorities

We believe in a Texas that offers everyone the chance to compete and succeed in life.

We envision a Texas where everyone is healthy, well-educated,

and financially secure.

@CPPP_TX

Center for Public Policy Priorities

Use of this presentation

The Center for Public Policy Priorities encourages you to reproduce and distribute these slides, which were developed for use in making public presentations. If you reproduce these slides, please give appropriate credit to CPPP.

The data presented here may become outdated. For the most recent information or to sign up for our email updates, visit our website.

CPPP.org