By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — The numbers go in both positive and negative directions in the 2009 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook. At a policy breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings in Warwick yesterday, the statewide children's policy organization released its 15th annual report on the well-being of the state's children to a gathering of over 500 people.

The audience included members of the Rhode Island congressional delegation and community leaders and policymakers from education, health, business and human services. The annual Factbook charts improvements and declines in children's well-being according to indicators in five categories: family and community, economic well-being, health, safety and education.
Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, expressed concern that the recent economic crisis in the state and nation places children and families at risk as they struggle to pay the high costs of housing, food, heat, gas and child care.
“We need to ensure that critical public policy investments in child care, early education, health care and adult education and training remain in place and are strengthened. Investments in children and families are more essential now than ever before.” She added, “We need to be sure we have a safety net in Rhode Island for the poorest of our families.”
Harriet Meyer, the president of the Chicago-based Ounce of Prevention Fund, delivered the keynote address. She noted that prominent childcare advocates are realizing that education needs to be redefined to begin at birth through age five. Developing family programs according to “educare”-- a focus on high quality education and childcare, will lead to long-term economic success, she said. She added that the cities currently following the “educare” model have seen positive results.
Meyer noted that in Rhode Island, 36 percent of children under six live in low-income families. As such, she said, it is even more vital that there be programs in place to ensure that every child gets consistent, appropriate behavior from adults, which, in turn, leads to healthy emotional and behavioral development.
“Programs that invest in early childhood are a better return on investment that programs geared at later in life,” stated Meyer.
Meyer added that Rhode Island must increase its investment in high quality birth-to five early learning services, focus on the most vulnerable children, invest in quality teachers and daycare staff (with minimum bachelor's degree education) and take advantage of federal funding opportunities.
Among the various local political leaders who spoke, Senator Jack Reed said there is some good news coming to the state in the way of funding to help children and families. He said that the economic recovery package includes $93.5 million in Medicaid funds, which includes a $2 million grant to community health centers, a $4.1 million grant for early childhood education programs, and an expected $5.2 million in childcare development block grants.
Reed also said that while the Rite Care program has been expanded significantly, the entire health care system still needs dramatic improvements. He said that when the state and nation comes out of the current economic crisis, “it must be stronger and better” than what exists now.
Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed also said that a strong commitment to education at all levels “is critical.” She also expressed the hope that Rite Care can continue to make gains and not be forced to lose strides due to the economic downturn.
However, Paiva-Weed also noted the importance of advocacy, citing the Head Start program. While it was the subject of an increased focus last year, less than 50 percent of those who are eligible to participate do so. She said the state must continue to push such programs as “important and wise investments” for low income residents.
Among the Factbook findings to do with education, there has been a steady decline in eligibility for child care subsidies since 2003, and data indicates there are racial and ethnic disparities in access to high quality schools. However, reading proficiency was up at both the fourth and eighth grade levels statewide, although at a lower rates than their higher-income counterparts.
Locally, when compared with 2007, the graduation rates for 2008 were up in almost all of the local communities. Pawtucket's graduation rate was at 57 percent in 2008 over the 2007 figure of 48 percent, Central Falls was at 52 percent in 2008 from 46 percent in 2007, Cumberland was at 81 percent versus 79 percent the year before, East Providence was at 76 percent compared to 66 percent in 2007, and Woonsocket was at 60 percent in 2008 as compared to 54 percent in 2007.
The only exception was Lincoln, where the high school graduation rate dipped slightly from 86 percent in 2007 to 83 percent in 2008 (although this was higher than the state average for 2008 of 74 percent).
Bryant stressed the importance of maintaining a commitment to high quality education at all age levels, saying that it is the best way to lift families out of poverty. She acknowledged that the current economy is making it difficult for educators and school administrators to do their jobs, but urged them to try to stay the course with existing resources so as not to lose the important gains that have been made.
Among economic well-being, the state's welfare program saw a decrease in its case-assistance caseload by 54 percent from 18,428 to 8,424. From 2007 to 2008, the caseload decreased by 16 percent. The Factbook notes that a large part of the recent decline is the result of new policies that eliminate children's entitlement to cash assistance when parents reach their time limit, and increased training and job programs for parents.
However, Factbook also shows that between 2006 and 2008, the number of Rhode Island children receiving food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits increased 17 percent between 2006 and 2008. It is acknowledged that due to the current economic crisis, this number is likely to grow further. and .
Among other interesting statistics, when it comes to the number of children found elevated lead levels, Pawtucket rose to 5.4 percent in 2008 from 4.7 percent in 2007, Central Falls went to 6.9 percent in 2008 from 6.7 percent in 2007, Cumberland dropped to 1.1 percent in 2008 from 1.4 percent in 2007, Lincoln dropped to 1.5 percent in 2008 from 2.8 percent in 2007, East Providence rose to 6.1 percent in 2008 from 3.4 percent the previous year, and Woonsocket dropped from 4.3 percent in 2008 from 6.1 percent in 2007.
However, Bryant noted that among the good news is that in 2007 in Rhode Island, 93.1 percent of all children had health insurance, with about two-thirds coming from their parents' employer and about one-third through Rite Care. She also noted, however, the importance of keeping the health care commitments intact during the current economic crisis.
“RhodeIsland KIDS Count is committee to sustaining the gains we have made and to working together to make additional progress so that all children have what they need to thrive,” said Bryant.