The rate of child poverty in Connecticut held steady in 2013, from the year before. But that stabilization follows a huge rise in the last decade. One in seven children in the state lives in a poor family.
The figures come from an analysis of census data carried out by Connecticut Voices for Children.
Policy Director Wade Gibson said child poverty is an important indicator of the future economic success of the state. "Child poverty is, in many ways, like a disease," he said. "It's a condition that affects children not just as children, but throughout their lives. It's linked to bad education outcomes, bad health outcomes, bad career outcomes."
There’s a wide geographical variation in poverty across the state, with inner cities seeing the worst rates. In Hartford, almost half of children live in poverty. The rate is also much higher among Hispanics and African Americans than among white families.
The group is urging the use of tax policy such as the earned income tax credit to help families rise out of poverty.
"Low income Connecticut families have been hardest hit by the recession," Gibson said. "We can support these families, and improve outcomes for children, through continued support for programs such as the state Earned Income Tax Credit."
