The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 30th annual Kids Count data book shows the overall well-being of children in Delaware has remained consistent as the state’s youth population has grown over the years.
The new data places Delaware just one position higher in the national ranking of children’s well-being than it was when the first data book was released. The state is now 25th.
The study also shows there are about 38,000 more kids in Delaware compared to 30 years ago. Director of Kids Count Delaware Janice Barlow points out the increase has been mostly children of color.
“When we know that children of color are what is driving this increase—we’ve got more kids of color—we need to start paying a little bit more attention,” said Barlow. “OK, what are the policies that will reduce some of the disparities so we are bringing all kids the opportunities that they need to be successful in life.”
The study shows a 28 percent decrease in the percentage of Delaware children living in households that spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. But the percentage of children living in poverty in the First State has remained unchanged since 2010.
Barlow says the study highlights some areas that need improvement. She points out, for example, more than half of kids ages 3 to 4 in Delaware do not attend school—consistent with the national average.
“The research on brain development tells us how much happens in those early years, and how important it is and what long lasting impacts we can have on children’s development over time that really starts in those early years,” she said.
Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services recommended earlier this year that the state start collecting preschool expulsion data.
