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Editorial: Child Poverty

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By Collin Gaston - bio | email

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

A new survey is out looking into Child Poverty and unfortunately Alabama is at the back of the line.  The Annie E. Casey Foundation and KIDS COUNT Data Book detail how child poverty in the U.S. has been on the rise in 38 states over the last decade and our state has not fared well.

As a matter of fact, last year Alabama ranked 47th out of 50 states and this year we dropped to 48th.  The survey ranks U.S. states - best to worst - according to 10 indicators, including rates of child abuse, teen births, children in single parent homes and unemployment in the household. 

Patrick T. McCarthy, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation, says and I quote "We need to find the will to make sound investments that can improve the economic prospects for families today while preparing our children for the future."

It's apparent that whatever we are doing as a state is not working.  So we encourage those in the public and private sector to take action and reach out to those states in the top 10 and see what they are doing to drive down these key indicators. Let's emulate success Alabama.

We must invest in strategies today that can help children reach their full potential tomorrow.

We appreciate your feedback. 

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