LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The well-being of children in Kentucky is improving across the state, according to the latest Kids Count data book released Wednesday morning.
Trends show improvements with students in 11 of the 16 areas measured, including the number of children in poverty, high school students graduating on time, and the number of students in the juvenile justice system.
However, data indicates a rise in children experiencing food insecurity and a drop in the number of kids with health insurance.
In Jefferson County, the number of households experiencing food insecurity rose to 22.1%, up nearly 4% compared to 2017.
Similar trends were reported in surrounding counties, like Oldham and Bullitt where food insecurity rose to 7.3% and 15.9% respectively. Statewide, the number of food insecure households rose 4.6%.
"While child poverty rates in 2022 improved in 89 of 120 counties compared to five years previous, one in five (21%) children overall continue to live in poverty," officials said. "Thirty-eight percent of Black children and 28% of Latinx children live in poverty in Kentucky compared to 18% of White children."
In response to the data, Kentucky Youth Advocates recommended steps state lawmakers can take to improve the quality of life for children statewide.
Those recommendations included expanding safe and affordable housing and increasing support available to kids who can't safely stay in their family's home. That support would primarily happen through kinship caregivers.
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